Dog events

ToniB

Hi, I have a beautiful 12 week old golden retriever. It's my first time, as an adult, having a dog and I'd love to bring her to dog events or dog friendly things happening. I've no idea where to find this kind of thing though. Could anyone share any resources or any links to doggy groups? We live in Naas and she loves the car so can easily go to Dublin, Wicklow etc.

Thanks.

anewme

Would you consider taking her to Puppy Classes?

Also, Follow Dog Friendly \Irlandie on Instagram for meet ups etc.

Faith

Puppy classes would be an excellent idea. Just make sure the trainers are properly accredited as otherwise it can be the blind leading the blind. Correct socialisation includes your puppy learning that other dogs can exist without having to be approached and played with - much like humans see other humans. Some puppy classes just lump all the puppies together and they get very over-stimulated and stressed.

Once your puppy has learned that, then more unstructured events would be less stressful for them.

ToniB

She is starting her puppy classes next week, we're all v excited and have done lots of research on our trainer! Thanks for that, good to know it was the right thing to have her signed up. Thanks for the tips to follow dog friendly, I hadn't found that page.

tk123

I’d actually avoid (most) dog events like expos etc .. because often there’s dogs there that don’t really like other dogs/crowds and basically shouldn’t be there making a nuisance of themselves - so your pup could have a bad experience.

What I like to do is go for a coffee somewhere that’s dog friendly so they get used to seeing other people and dogs without interacting with them and basically learn how to sit and relax. People are generally fine with a puppy approaching when they shouldn’t.. a larger dog not so much in some cases so they need to learn at an early age not to go to everyone. The opposite is true for dogs - a lot of dogs don’t want a pesky puppy in their face and will send them packing. Walking through a market is another good place to practice and learn how to quietly wait in the queue and hopefully get a treat 😁

mumo3

As a fellow dog owner, I would advise you to stay away from dog parks.... We have one in both our local parks and they are completely over run with people who think their dogs are friendly and the dogs will then get over stimulated and/ or stressed and snap at another dog... cant tell you the amount of times I've seen carnage in them, and then the owners don't know how to get their dogs out of the middle of a pack of rageing dogs!!

anewme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119763703#Comment_119763703

Best of luck with puppy class!

Some trainers in the area run a walking group for those who do classes.