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  1. #1
    House Broken Mom4four's Avatar
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    Raising a singleton...advice from someone with experience??

    We will soon be bringing home our new puppy, Quincy and he is a singleton chocolate lab. Mama only had one puppy and since we had pick of the litter we gt him He has been on one playdate with a litter of yellow lab puppies but I know he is going to require some extra work, especially with bite inhibition. Looking for advice for someone who has had a singleton puppy

  2. #2
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Well, if the breeder isn't properly socializing puppy, perhaps you shouldn't get the puppy. A singleton has no issues if the breeder knows what they are doing.

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  4. #3
    Real Retriever Laura's Avatar
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    I would think that the socialization that would be most important for him would be what the breeder should do between 5-8 weeks, before you even have him.

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  6. #4
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    i hadn't posted but was thinking the above - the extra work is for the breeder during the 8 weeks they have the puppy. At 8-9 weeks when you get the puppy it would just be normal socialization that takes over (though more important that you do it, all puppies should be socialized).

    Remember socialization isn't just about other dogs either. Sounds, sites, smells, textures, people. Dogs is one component.

  7. #5
    House Broken Mom4four's Avatar
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    Ok, thank you! He has been working with him and like I mentioned they have already gone on one play date. We found a litter of 9 yellow lab puppies and their breeder is willing to let them play and interact. I have read quite a bit online about the singleton puppy and most is negative, which is why I was looking for advice hopefully from someone who has had one. We are pretty involved with the puppy already, the breeder is awesome and we are welcome to visit whenever we want. It has been a very positive experience so far and I really like being a part of his life from the get go.

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  9. #6
    Best Friend Retriever Gibbysmom's Avatar
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    I have nothing to add, but he looks like a hunk of cuteness!!

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  11. #7
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    Approx 3.5 yrs ago, a friend of mine w/ an Old English had a singleton pup. I had a small litter of 3 black labs that were within just a few days of her puppy. That pup came over for several visits and to this day is still not convinced she's a dog. She seemed to hate every moment of the visits (starting at 5 wks) but interestingly enough, when we are at classes together now, she hates the golden colored dogs (Golden ret, Goldendoodles, etc)-- not the blacks! My 1yo pup is in 2 of the same classes w/ this OES currently and I have to laugh because she has every right to hate Kanzi based on her color.... my puppies were BRATS to her pulling her hair etc! She'd run into the puppy tunnel to try to hide from them.

    Anyhow, your pup may or may not be well adjusted to life as a dog. It all depends on how many older dogs she may have there too. I'd not have an issue w/ it here I don't think since many of my big dogs are wonderful w/ puppies. But if mom isn't, and there are no other big dogs there, it will require more than a visit or 2 to socialize properly.
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  13. #8
    House Broken Mom4four's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by windycanyon View Post
    Approx 3.5 yrs ago, a friend of mine w/ an Old English had a singleton pup. I had a small litter of 3 black labs that were within just a few days of her puppy. That pup came over for several visits and to this day is still not convinced she's a dog. She seemed to hate every moment of the visits (starting at 5 wks) but interestingly enough, when we are at classes together now, she hates the golden colored dogs (Golden ret, Goldendoodles, etc)-- not the blacks! My 1yo pup is in 2 of the same classes w/ this OES currently and I have to laugh because she has every right to hate Kanzi based on her color.... my puppies were BRATS to her pulling her hair etc! She'd run into the puppy tunnel to try to hide from them.

    Anyhow, your pup may or may not be well adjusted to life as a dog. It all depends on how many older dogs she may have there too. I'd not have an issue w/ it here I don't think since many of my big dogs are wonderful w/ puppies. But if mom isn't, and there are no other big dogs there, it will require more than a visit or 2 to socialize properly.
    Thank you for your comments! The breeder has both the mom and dad and another male lab so there are other dogs around. And when we bring him home my son has a 1 yr old female boxer mix who is very playful and has been around another young pup and did well so we will be getting them together alot. His dog is very eager to play and is always trying to get my cats to engage but they arent having it! lol
    I am not sure how mom is with this pup. At first she was very protective but the last time we were there she didnt seem to mind that we were holding him. We are going for a visit tomorrow and I am going to try and remember to ask about the interaction with the older dogs.

  14. #9
    Real Retriever fidgetyknees's Avatar
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    One of the best dogs I have ever known was a singleton, he was great with other dogs and people. But he had plenty of other dogs to socialize with (6 to be exact) instead of puppies and was treated as another dog in the house instead of a puppy in a litter. Never ever did he have social issues. So I don't necessarily think singletons are bad. One of my dog trainers kept her singleton, and I don't believe she has issues either, but she also has a lot of dogs in her house for plenty of interaction.

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  16. #10
    House Broken Mom4four's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fidgetyknees View Post
    One of the best dogs I have ever known was a singleton, he was great with other dogs and people. But he had plenty of other dogs to socialize with (6 to be exact) instead of puppies and was treated as another dog in the house instead of a puppy in a litter. Never ever did he have social issues. So I don't necessarily think singletons are bad. One of my dog trainers kept her singleton, and I don't believe she has issues either, but she also has a lot of dogs in her house for plenty of interaction.
    That is good to hear! There really isnt alot of positive information out there, or at least that I found. I am really anxious to go see him tonight!

 



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