Puppy Socialisation

emer1234

Hi,
I have a ten week old puppy who I'm looking to start socialising with other dogs in the next couple of weeks. Does anyone know of any groups (not training classes) in the dublin area that meet to allow dogs to socialise? I know that theres dog parks around but as shes quite small and a little nervous I'm looking for something puppy specific, some kind of puppy play dates or similar

Victor

Make sure they have their immunisations.

tk123

Lots of vets do puppy parties. Also most of the training centres do puppy socialization classes with basic puppy training and owner education as well eg Dog Training Ireland, DSPCA, the one in the show arena in clongriffin, Positive Dog Training etc. We only have experience with DTI but other posters have been to DSPCA and Clongriffin and have praised them. We went to the puppy parties at our vets which were good but I wish I had of taken him to DTI after doing classes there and him going to daycare because I know they would have addressed his shyness and helped me work on it.

DBB

Emer, what part of Dublin are you in? Dublin north and south are fairly well supplied with good puppy groups, so there might be one good and close to you.
And fair play for being proactive with your pup's socialisation!

emer1234

Hey, thanks for all the replies, shes fully vaccinated as of yesterday so thats not a problem. I'm in Dublin 12 so its fairly handy to get to all the parks,Tymon, Marley, Bushy etc.
Tk123, thanks for info re classes but I'm looking for play sessions really, I know that the classes are good but alot of the obedience stuff I can do myself and a four or six week course is a bit short, I'm looking for somewhere where she can keep going and meet a variety of dogs for the next few months really.
DBB could you point me in the direction of any groups you mights know of close to me? I've searched the net but all I can find is the classes!

tk123

TBH OP i'd just go to the park or if you don't mind spending some money daycare is brilliant for socializing them? Most parks in Dublin allow the dogs off lead until 11 and Marley Park even had a dog park area. Our park allows them off before 11 and there's always a group of dogs (and owners lol) around the same time everyday - newbies have come up to us and asked us are we a club a good few times because there's so many of us. There's always dogs of the same ages and sizes too so you should be able to find a match for your puppy and maybe arrange to meet with the owner - this is what I did so as they were the same age and size it was pefect for when they were at the mouthing stage - they'd tell each other if they were going to far etc. My dog was very very nervous of other dogs (he was snapped at when he was small) and going to the park wasn't enough - he didn't get his confidence around other dogs until he started going to daycare a few times a week. From going to daycare he's used to playing with all different kinds of dogs and adjusts his play depending on who he's playing with so eg he'll be very gentle with puppies and smaller dogs and let them jump all over him but will be a bit more energetic with bigger dogs.

TooManyDogs

I think the Working Trials Club in Tymon do puppy play sessions. Their website is www.wtci.ie

DBB

emer1234 wrote: »

DBB could you point me in the direction of any groups you mights know of close to me? I've searched the net but all I can find is the classes!

Hi Emer,
Emmaline of www.citizencanineireland.com does puppy kindergarten classes on the Long Mile Road. They're not obedience classes, but off-lead meet and greet sessions where you also get lots of great puppy rearing advice and support.
Many owners who meet at these classes go on to arrange play-dates between and beyond classes, so local classes tend to be more conducive to organising local play-dates! And as you are all attending classes together, everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet!
Emmaline in particular is a super trainer and has loads of experience running well-structured and fun puppy sessions.
Good luck with your pup!

emer1234

Thanks for all the feedback on this. I'll definately follow up on all the suggestions and try to find something that suits us!