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  1. #1
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    8 week old choc lab socialization

    Hi all, I am getting a 8 week old choc lab in 2 weeks and will receive it's first round of shots at 7 weeks old. I know all about the risk of parvo but has anybody carried their dog in public like a store or a bank or anything like that when a puppy? I want to bring it out in public and need to know all about this. Looking forward to reading the replies -bryan

  2. #2
    Senior Dog sparky's Avatar
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    You need to be sure he/ she has all their shots before too much socializion. We took Mocha to the pet store but carried him around. He was only 9 pounds at that time
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  3. #3
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    SO you have the right idea - you need to balance socialisation and keeping the dog safe.

    One thing you can do if search "socialization" (there is a forum search on the top right) and you'll find tons of posts on the topic and ideas.

    You want to avoid places where lots of dogs go (so hold the dog in the vet office, avoid pet stores altogether, no dog parks) but bring to generally safer areas (stores that allow dogs but are not pet stores - some hardwear stores, yes carrying the dog can help but has it's own downside - you can wrap the dog in ab lanket and put them in a cart if you think you can do safely (I can see a lab puppy siggling and trying to jump out)

    Go for lots of car rides, drive thru's.

    Visit friends and family. If they have dogs, make sure dogs are up to date on their vaccinations and FRIENDLY (socialisation is only good when it's POSITIVE) especially if you go in THEIR home (some dogs are friendly outsidet he home but nto in their home). Some will recommend only if that dog hasn't been to a pet store or a dog park in a week.

    You can have people come over to your home (same rules as above).

    Puppy classes are AWESOME. a great place for puppy's (they should properly disinfect the area before puppy classes).

    Remember socialisation is not just about other dogs, but places, sounds, textuers, as many different peopel as possible (with different clothes - think hates, gloves, ponchos, any weird clothing that changes our outline - crutches, wheel chairs). Approach newt hings calmly and happy but don't push the puppy too much either, reward reward reward and encourage but don't push.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog doubledip1's Avatar
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    I carried Luna everywhere. She was a little chunker, 12 pounds at 9 weeks. I also made sure to go to friend's house who had dogs I knew were fully vaccinated. We are lucky enough that my parents own a boat so Loony was on the boat with us when she was a tiny thing.

    Definitely carry, and bring wet wipes and a towel with you everywhere! Wipe the paws relatively frequently.
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  5. #5
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by doubledip1 View Post
    ...She was a little chunker, 12 pounds at 9 weeks....
    LOL, it's all perspective...I got Jagger at 8 weeks, flew him up from AZ with me on the plane...he was 12 pounds, and I thought he was the tiniest puppy I had ever seen.

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    doubledip1 (02-25-2015)

  7. #6
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    I researched the area I was living for parvo cases, asked my vet, and then pretty much took chili every where I went. figured if I was taking him to vet where all the sick dogs came, might as well take him everywhere else. I think my next time around I will play it safer, but when chili was a very young pup was my favorite time watching him explore and train.
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  8. #7
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by voodoo View Post
    I researched the area I was living for parvo cases, asked my vet, and then pretty much took chili every where I went. figured if I was taking him to vet where all the sick dogs came, might as well take him everywhere else. I think my next time around I will play it safer, but when chili was a very young pup was my favorite time watching him explore and train.
    oops yes I ment to mention this. Parvo is very prevelant in some places and just "sorta present" in others. Talk to you vet ASAP to find out how bad it is in your place. I would still balance socialiation with health but you may need to lean more one way or the other depending on where you live.

  9. #8
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Not having had puppies, not the best at advice. But with our older dogs, we had to do socialization too. Picking up nasty bugs was not as much a concern as they were all vaccinated.

    I agree, socialization is not just about being out, though that is very important. Work with different sounds, textures under foot, different experiences in the house and your yard.

  10. #9
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    Tanya gave you a lot of sage advice. I too avoid the pet stores, esp those who do rescue adoptathons on weekends. Stick to ma & pa type stores (dog friendly of course!), and places like Home Depot, Les Schwab, the car dealership when auto service is due.. to name just a few. I'll be in the same boat in ~5 wks. I plan to take mine to an obed workshop at 11 wks as I've done several before. That'll be our first big outing, but there will be several side trips, work trips etc before that.
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  11. #10
    Puppy
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    So basically just keep the dog away from
    dog populated areas and keep up with all the vaccination shots thanks all

  12. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to sjforcup19 For This Useful Post:

    doubledip1 (02-25-2015), windycanyon (02-25-2015)

 



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