Socialising puppies

So seeing as I have never owned a puppy I dont know much about socializing. So where do you take you puppies when they are young? The obvios things like parks. I was thinking things like sitting around bus garages to get them used to buses, going for bus rides, train stations, seeing tractors, lorries ect. Visiting outside schools, sitting outside supermarkets (new people, trolleys), getting them used to things like buggies/suitcases being pulled past. Maybe going to farm animals and socialising with different pets. Sound socilasation so like firework/thunder sound CD's.

Is there anything else I am missing out? Obviousy there are other things but id there anything SPECIFIC you would do?

Thanks

Have a look here for advice from qualified, reputable trainers and behaviourists

http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonli...ialization.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/dogsocialization.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/th...leoftwelve.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/pu...cial_chart.pdf
http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/socialising_a_litter
http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/puppysocialisation1
http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/puppysocialisation2
http://www.apdt.co.uk/documents/Socialisation_001.pdf

I think you have most of it covered Katie

I would probably add industrial estates to get used to loud noises etc, but start off in the home to mimic them first so that it is not a shock. Just playing while getting someone to bang tins or something in the background etc.

I generally try to get the dog used to anything I think the dog may encounter in day to day life, so I would add sirens too - maybe a recording or through the TV tho.

Smokey - Katie is asking for specifics she may have missed, not for a bunch of articles on the topic - some of which are dead links anyway.

Yes sirens I was supposed to add too. Though living in Lewisham I think the puppy would hear them enough lmao

Hi Katie

Wow, you've pretty much got it covered!

You could also try the vets and having people round to the house too. Maybe the postie?

That's probably why you forgot to add them to the list then Katie - no need

I agree with Linda about the postie, and the vets - though I guess you'll be going in for puppy jabs etc.

So are you getting a puppy then? Have I missed a thread or something? (Been busy these last few days )

Thank you. Yeah the vets would be having a few visits without jabs so the pup isnt terrified of visiting

I have never had a problem with any of my dogs and the postie but yes I will have to make sure there are no problems there.



Well I will be getting a puppy but probably not too soon. I just like to find out lots of stuff and do lots of research WELL before I get any pet. Will hopefully be getting a Bull Terrier pup, probably in a couple of years still. Just thought I would find out more about the socialising and things, I've never even had to toilet train a dog lol But yes I will be reading lots of websites and book ect. Will be wanting to do some agility or flyball so need to do some reading about training for them and stuff but that can wait til I have a pup

Good on you Katie - I wish more people did lots more research before getting their dogs too

I love BTs Met one at a vet many years ago and fell in love

(Did you see my threads about the Hinks BTs btw? Gull Terr (Hinks Bull Terrier) I love them too )

We did much the same as you are planning with our pup, including local riding stables, where they were more than pleased to have us there. Shortly afterwards, we met a horse whilst on a walk and our pup freaked. Luckily the rider understood dogs. It was because he hadn't been generalised to horses; different environment.
Another example is umbrellas. You may introduce puppy to one in the house but he also needs to see someone outside and at a distance, putting one up and putting one down etc.

As Lucky Star says, the vet too, to associate nice things. A good vet will be more than willing to give puppy a treat between seeing clients.
Yes, the postie too. Our dogs often get treats from ours. They love the bin men too as they love giving them treats, saves a bitten bum in their opinion.

You are obviously well informed with what you need to do to socialise your pup.

Going to a school at home time is a good idea. LOL, when our dog was a pup I told hubby we should do that. He said "You can but I don't want to get arrested" Ha ha. I did and it was so good for our pup, kids just can't resist a pup and they really do need to meet kids during the imprint period. Not just little kids, medium and large. If you are lucky enough to know someone with a baby, who will allow your pup to have a sniff, great.

What breed is your new pup?

Hmmm, must stop thinking puppies. 3 dogs would be toooo much.

Nicky

Honestly I do sooooo much research when I get anything I havent had before. New snakes, lizards, have spent HOURS reading because I want to get myself a fish tank. I wish other people would put some time into finding out about a specific breed ect before just going out and buying dog, I mean it doesnt take long to read a breed standard/breed club website and some basic training websites or books.

I do like the Hinks BT shame it would be ever so hard to find any. Maybe if I could look into it more I could perhaps get a bitch and maybe look into breeding her. I would be sooooo worried about breeding though, I probably wouldnt let anyone have the pups


I ride once a month and outside the school there are field full of horses so pup could be walked around the fields where the horses are and there is also an area pup could sit and see the horses in the school.

Vets will 100% be made a positive thing (apart from when jabs NEED to be done). I will do the same for the postie ect what I am planning to do with guests. Ask pup to sit and stay until the guest comes in and then once puppy is calm treat and greet so hopefully in the end ANYONE coming to the door is good.

The bit about the school made me LOL would be slightly funny if that happened but not at the same time haha

Hopefully I will be getting a Bull Terrier (maybe a miniature)