Dog socialisation

Whispered

My pup will be getting his final vaccination on 28th dec so a week later he will be ready for his first walk. God love him, he needs it, all that pent up energy.

Anyway, because he was so sick, he is a bit late in getting his vax so his dog socialisation is behind what it should be. He's very good with people, an angel with the cats so I can't see there being much problem, but I'm anxious to have him meet other dogs as soon as he can. I cannot bring him to puppy classes as he will have to be muzzled, and I am not going to do that when he is only learning to socialise, I think it will stifle him at such a young age.

Are there any boardies in the dublin west or kildare area who would like to meet up, bring our dogs for a walk and help socialise my pup?

arybvtcw0eolkf

helena.ryan wrote: »

My pup will be getting his final vaccination on 28th dec so a week later he will be ready for his first walk. God love him, he needs it, all that pent up energy.

Anyway, because he was so sick, he is a bit late in getting his vax so his dog socialisation is behind what it should be. He's very good with people, an angel with the cats so I can't see there being much problem, but I'm anxious to have him meet other dogs as soon as he can. I cannot bring him to puppy classes as he will have to be muzzled, and I am not going to do that when he is only learning to socialise, I think it will stifle him at such a young age.

Are there any boardies in the dublin west or kildare area who would like to meet up, bring our dogs for a walk and help socialise my pup?

I know its not Dublin west, but the classes up at the national show centre at Dublin airport have a staffie class alongside the regular class at 8pm every Tuesday.

Unfortunetely I have Judo on that night and haven't been able to get up, but I'd gladly take time off to meet up so at least your not a total stranger going in.

Otherwise how about getting a meeting at the Phoenix park for a few of us sometime over the Christmas period?. My puppy bitch Ruby would be a perfect campanion, she's very gentle and love's meeting new buds.

Btw, PHOTOS?.

Whispered

I don't think I would get out to the airport, I don't drive. ( I can but I'm not allowed, silly law :rolleyes:)

I was half thinking of saying he's a lab cross (he is staffy x lab) if i bring him to a class, but as he's getting older the staffie part of his features is coming out more (so cute) as is his brindle, so I don't think it would fool anyone.

The pheonix park would be great though, I have relatives who live close by so me and Harley could make a day of it if it was done on sat or sunday.

He's getting the injection on 27th, which means the following sat or sunday would be safe for him. Thats the 2nd or 3rd.

This will be one of his first ever walks though, so I think I will spend a lot of the time trying to coax him, so patient people only please . Other dogs around would definately encourage him to keep up I think. And it wouldn't be able to be too long, I don't want to damage his little puppy legs. So you might end up getting very frustrated with him (and me)

EDIT: I'll add photos later.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Since the guy is only a puppy and getting over a serious illness I'd keep the walking to a minimum, twenty minutes maybe until his strenght has built up.

I'm currently increasing my dogs milage, Ruby is eight months old now and anything more than about 30 minutes (two miles or a bit more) and she's knackered & whinging for me to carry her.

I've also read that its not good for developing joints, most esp. the hips for a puppy to get too much walking before a year old.

But more experienced people here can best go into that one.

I brought the lads for a bigger than usual walk this morning, Ruby was whinging like bejaysus after about two miles, but the time we got back home I was carrying her - and an eight month old Staffy ain't a feather weight!.

Whispered

Ah great so you understand poor ruby lol.

Well if others are happy with a 20 - 30 min walk, then maybe a bit of play I'd be delighted. If he gets tired I can carry for a few mins. Would the 2nd or 3rd suit? Or would the following weekend be better for you?

Anybody else interested?

peasant

Just a theoretical question here, not to be taken personal !

Isn't it a bit counter productive to be socialising Staffs with Staffs only?

Early socialisation with everthing and anything (as we all now) is vital for the dog not to develop fear/aggression towards unknown things later in life.

As we also all know, dogs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes ...with or without tails, with or without visible facial features (thinking of my hairy mops here), with long hair, short hair, tall and small.

Socialising a Staff with its "own kind" only and keeping it away from other dogs could achive just the opposite of what was planned.

In that context I find it hard to belive that a dog training facility would insist on muzzling dogs during puppy classes

and that they would actively participate in segregation (or doggy apartheid if you will) by offering seperate classes for Staffs ??

Whispered

I just wont bring him to classes because he will have to be muzzled.

If you find it hard to believe, look it up, I was shocked too. But I would imagin it would have something to do with insurance and of course, the law.

Over the coming weeks Harley will be socialising with a tiny JRT and 4 very big rotties.

So if anyone else is interested in meeting up in the pheonix park over christmas then all shapes and sizes welcome.

EDIT: why would anyone take it personal? You were commenting on the class weren't you? (if not: HOW BLOODY DARE YOU! :P)

peasant

helena.ryan wrote: »

EDIT: why would anyone take it personal?

I have learned that on this forum it is best to play it safe ...so I mentioned it explicitly

but yeah ...muzzles in puppy classes ...that's disgraceful

Whispered

peasant wrote: »

I have learned that on this forum it is best to play it safe ...so I mentioned it explicitly

but yeah ...muzzles in puppy classes ...that's disgraceful

Peasant, you were never one for mincing your words, don't start now!

looserock

Why don't you bring him to a dog show, you cant show pups until their 6 months but its a great place to socialise a pup, there are hundreds of dog everywhere.

I'm not exactly sure what the rules at ikc shows are but I can not think of one time I've seen a muzzled dog ever.

Whispered

Good Idea, but isn't the only way you can bring a dog to a show is if you are showing him (or if it is a PB)? I may be totally wrong, and actually, seeing it written, it looks ridic.

If I can I will do that in a while. But, not at the moment. He has been sick and according to the vet kennel cough and some other things are easily picked up at shows if the immune system is not very strong.

looserock

You can bring any dog anytime, there might be something about very young pups alright, not sure but if the pup walks on a lead there would be no problem.

Beth

Helena we dont show our Papillon, (we were considering it)but we werent entered in any of the shows we went to. We might have been lucky, but it was worth a try because he was terrified of dogs after an attack when he was a puppy. We got away with it grand, met some fab people (and AndreaC's rottie who is a dote) along with loads of dogs. We also started him on some group walks, as well as some of the "fun day" dog shows. I know there's probably none of the fun day ones happening in this weather or at this time of year but its worth keeping your eye out.

you might also have the option of attending and watching agility displays if there are any nearby. If there's a problem bringing the puppy into shows, the agility displays would do the same thing, socialising him with different people, new situations, dogs, etc.

As for muzzling in puppy class, thats just unreal. We never had to muzzle our Rottie in class and she was over a year old. She also attended puppy classes there with the owner of the rescue and didnt have to be muzzled. For some reason 6 months old is sticking in my head about muzzling.. but I'd have to do more looking on that, or maybe you could. Could be a fairy tale though

For the walking thing - the general rule given by vets and trainers we've spoken with (and read online) has been 5 minutes walking for every month of age. This doesnt mean you only have to go for a 10 minute walk with the puppy though. If its light enough, you can carry the puppy and continue socialisation. So you could do a 20 minute walk incorporating the local park, but only walk her for 10 of those. For the extra 10 sit on a bench and let her get used to new sights and sounds, different people (big, small, tall, short, kids of different ages playing, buggies, wheelchairs, skates, men walking with sticks etc), or go through the commands she know etc.

Instead of a walk, you could set up a play date. Just the intention of playing, that way they can flop down and snooze in the garden if they're tired - something they cant do on a walk, and you can have a cuppa cha.
If you know anyone with an older dog that is cool, calm and collected it can do the world of good as well to be socialised with that dog. That dog will teach the pup doggie manners, something a lot of dogs seem to be missing lately. They lose their puppy permit at about 16-20 weeks and thats when other dogs begin to teach them manners.
Have a read here. Its long but interesting at the same time. (yes I have a rude dog!)

You mentioned that he is part lab? Labs do have problems with hip dysplasia so I'd deffo keep the walking appropriate to his age to make sure that you dont do any damage that can affect him later on in life.

Whispered

Great advice beth, thank you.

MizzLolly

helena.ryan wrote: »

Over the coming weeks Harley will be socialising with a tiny JRT and 4 very big rotties.

The JRT is mine He's gorgeous!!

Harley's my God-Dog (lol) and he's absolutely perfect! Such a sweet little thing


(and he does not need to wear a muzzle, that's ridiculous! Grrr..)

Emerald Lass

MizzLolly wrote: »

(and he does not need to wear a muzzle, that's ridiculous! Grrr..)

Mizzlolly, less of that growling or those ridiculous people might put a muzzle on you! :P

andreac

looserock wrote: »

You can bring any dog anytime, there might be something about very young pups alright, not sure but if the pup walks on a lead there would be no problem.

Im afraid you arent allowed to bring a dog thats not for exhibiting to these shows. All dogs at the shows are meant to be showing.

There are socialisation and ringcraft classes at the National Show centre on a tues night and the dog wouldnt have to wear a muzzle.

Restricted breeds only have to wear muzzles from 6 months as far as i know.

kazza23

Hi Helena,

I'm near the Phoenix Park and Millie is great at putting manners on puppies and Sandy is very sociable too so give me a shout if you're planning on taking Harley out and I'll try and bring my two along.

Karen.

Whispered

andreac wrote: »

Im afraid you arent allowed to bring a dog thats not for exhibiting to these shows. All dogs at the shows are meant to be showing.

There are socialisation and ringcraft classes at the National Show centre on a tues night and the dog wouldnt have to wear a muzzle.

Restricted breeds only have to wear muzzles from 6 months as far as i know.

I thought that was the case with shows. I also thought it was ridic to expect a pup to wear a muzzle, we're having trouble with a collar atm so a muzzle would be a nightmare. I can't reember the sit but it was undder a puppy scialisation heading and it said that all restricted breeds must be muzzled, so unless they had just copied their blurb from the adult part and forgot to change it? I'll try find it again.

kazza23 wrote: »

Hi Helena,

I'm near the Phoenix Park and Millie is great at putting manners on puppies and Sandy is very sociable too so give me a shout if you're planning on taking Harley out and I'll try and bring my two along.

Karen.

That would be brilliant Karen, would be very nice to see you again and meet your dogs.

arybvtcw0eolkf

kazza23 wrote: »

Hi Helena,

I'm near the Phoenix Park and Millie is great at putting manners on puppies and Sandy is very sociable too so give me a shout if you're planning on taking Harley out and I'll try and bring my two along.

Karen.

The park is handy for me too if anyone wants to meet up, and I work there too

andreac

Helena, i have a feeling i know what training place that is and most others i know dont expect that. there are classes held in blanch and the trainer wouldnt expect that, PM me if you want her details.

Whispered

I definately do. But the earliest Harley will be covered will be the 2nd or 3rd. Does that weekend suit you two?

Whispered

andreac wrote: »

Helena, i have a feeling i know what training place that is and most others i know dont expect that. there are classes held in blanch and the trainer wouldnt expect that, PM me if you want her details.

Thanks Andrea, but I'd never make it out to blanch.

andreac

Where are you based?

Whispered

In kildare.

Pics as promised.

MizzLolly

helena.ryan wrote: »

In kildare.

Pics as promised.

Oooooh sooo cute

Whispered

He spent christmas with the little JRT, and they both got on so well. I was delighted. He's a little targer - kept trying to play when the older dog was obviously knackered! Then when he did eventually let him sleep, he dragged him across the floor in his bed.

I was suprised how much his toilet training came along when with a trained dog too. Amazing really.

He was so good. (aww)

Next one is socialisation with a few rotties. Can't wait.

EDIT: and to top it all off, my dad, who would be one of the people who buy into the bull breed hysteria slightly, thought he was lovely.