Comments on: Socializing A Puppy In Large Crowds

By: Colby

Colby — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 01:33:18 +0000

In reply to Lindsay. After training five puppies I've learned that each puppy is comfortable with new situations at different ages. Although we usually set age limits on our guide dog outings we always try to re-iterate that the age limits are guidelines and you should know your puppy better than anyone else. If an outing is too much for your puppy then be prepared to leave.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 16:10:37 +0000

I’m so glad she did so well! She doesn’t look stressed out at all. Obviously, you’ve done a really good job training and socializing her while going at the right pace. I think that’s one of the things that would be challenging to me, knowing just how far to push the dog in order to stretch her comfort level without freaking her out.

By: Colby

Colby — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 00:09:20 +0000

In reply to Ashe. We've been working with our guide and service dog puppies for 8 years now and do our best to prepare them for their careers as working dogs.

By: Colby

Colby — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 00:08:18 +0000

In reply to Andy Eaton. It's very important to socialize, but as we've learned over time every puppy is different and the amount of distraction they can handle will vary. We always keep a watchful eye on our pup's when out and about to make sure they are not getting over-stimulated and are not stressing out. Thanks for stopping by!

By: Ashe

Ashe — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 03:42:17 +0000

Puppies are like kids, you need to be gentle with them but ensure they know who is the boss. We want not want to be confronted by large crowds and noise until we are used to them and nor does a small puppy. Thank you for this terrific article.

By: Andy Eaton

Andy Eaton — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 15:05:57 +0000

Great experience for your dog to get out and meet new places and people. Lots of distractions and I bet if you did the same thing again it would be near perfect. We took our puppy PugZu to a car boot in the UK and there were about 200 people and we let a dozen or so pat her. Now we have a very social dog that is good with people and dogs.

By: Colby

Colby — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 05:38:36 +0000

In reply to Shannon Cole. Thanks! We were lucky that at our first puppy kindergarten with Linus our trainer told us and gave us ideas on how to best socialize our puppies. Now that we've raised/trained 5 guide/service dogs we have a very good understanding of best practices when socializing your puppy. Thanks for stopping by!

By: Colby

Colby — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 01:14:14 +0000

In reply to Ruan.

Hi Ruan,

Yes, we start working with our puppies when they are about 7-8 weeks old. She’s been through several obedience classes and has been socialized her entire life (the school actually starts working with the pup’s from the day they are born). This was Adelle’s second train trip, but the first time around we didn’t have to deal with the large crowds so this was a new experience and she passed with flying colors!

Thanks for stopping by!
Colby

By: Shannon Cole

Shannon Cole — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 13:12:31 +0000

This is a great post on puppy socialization. I wish more people would do it. However , there is a right way to do it & a wrong way. Obviously you don't want to scare the puppy and you also want to be able to control the puppy. So many thing can happy so fast. Its best to be prepared in all situations. A lot of people don't bring their dog out in public and it such a share. And the main reason is the dogs are a hassle to them. They can't properly behave in public situations. But done right mans best friend can accompany you just about anywhere. As a pet sitter that specializes in pets with behavioral issues I have had very few dogs I have been able to bring with me out in public on a regular basis. Half the battle is the car, 90% of which don't pass. Once they pass that test its their socialization skills, pulling, jumping, licking etc. In the 15 years I've only had 2 dogs that I could bring & take ANYWHERE! One one Stirling an Johnson American Bulldog (RIP :-( ). I'd take him to friends homes, car shows everywhere! People loved him & he was perfectly behaved. The other is Jobie a German Shepherd mix who rides perfectly in the car, and walks great on a leash & harness. When I was featured in a newspaper article with my affiliate who was a horse sitter I needed a dog I could bring with that could handle the situation - horses are big! Jobie was a rock star & behaved perfectly for the photo shoot! :-) Socialization & training are the key to a perfect dog! :-)

By: Ruan

Ruan — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 20:02:47 +0000

What a wonderful, fun article to read! Yeah, kudos to Adelle for behaving herself. She must have gone through a few sessions of obedience and early stages training as well or you might have had another outcome to your train trip at hand, right?

LOVED the post! I will surely get to know you guys around here and come pop in more often… Fun fun fun indeed.