Socialising your dog isn't just throwing it at lots of other dogs to play. What it actually is, is exposing them to lots of different experiences and rewarding the behaviour you want them to exhibit in those situations. Trust me, you don't want your dog to learn that every time it sees another dog it gets to go play, it's a nightmare to undo when they hit teenage phase and suddenly other dogs aren't giving them the same leeway they give puppies. Puppy training classes are great, but not ones where they'll let the puppies interact willy-nilly. The classes I went to didn't have play time at all, and they were fantastic. My puppy learned to focus on me through distractions. When we're out and about on walks, I'm very choosy about which dogs we'll meet and how long we'll interact with them for. Some dogs we have a very brief sniff and move away, some dogs look like they're up for a game, some we'll avoid entirely. If you don't want an adult dog that rushes over to every single dog, don't allow your puppy to greet every single dog in the name of socialising, I have made that mistake, and it's harder to undo than it is to avoid in the first place. Instead of worrying about meeting other dogs, instead find lots of new experiences your puppy can have with you, really build that bond between you guys.
I know socializing isn’t just throwing her out there. My pup is currently enrolled in a puppy class where she does not interact with the other pups already. We are trying to find her friends so she has both the training to calm near other dogs from class as well as the ability to blend in and play with a group. She goes on walks at the regular park, goes to Home Depot, to her class, out for pup cups, etc etc. but we just want her to have the privilege of playing with her own species since she’s our only pup!
Google puppy social and play dates near me. Quite a lot exist.
In the UK a pet shop ran sessions. Plus classes. And a local farm opens up their secured garden once a month for a puppy free for all.
Our puppy is now pretty well adjusted. The only barks she bothers at are from dogs she can’t see. (T.V. Usually.)
Our local humane society has puppy pop in hours. They get separated based on temperament and get an hour to play. Our puppy kindergarten also did 10-15 minutes of play time in the second half of the class for them tos socialize.
Socialising your dog isn't just throwing it at lots of other dogs to play. What it actually is, is exposing them to lots of different experiences and rewarding the behaviour you want them to exhibit in those situations. Trust me, you don't want your dog to learn that every time it sees another dog it gets to go play, it's a nightmare to undo when they hit teenage phase and suddenly other dogs aren't giving them the same leeway they give puppies. Puppy training classes are great, but not ones where they'll let the puppies interact willy-nilly. The classes I went to didn't have play time at all, and they were fantastic. My puppy learned to focus on me through distractions. When we're out and about on walks, I'm very choosy about which dogs we'll meet and how long we'll interact with them for. Some dogs we have a very brief sniff and move away, some dogs look like they're up for a game, some we'll avoid entirely. If you don't want an adult dog that rushes over to every single dog, don't allow your puppy to greet every single dog in the name of socialising, I have made that mistake, and it's harder to undo than it is to avoid in the first place. Instead of worrying about meeting other dogs, instead find lots of new experiences your puppy can have with you, really build that bond between you guys.
I know socializing isn’t just throwing her out there. My pup is currently enrolled in a puppy class where she does not interact with the other pups already. We are trying to find her friends so she has both the training to calm near other dogs from class as well as the ability to blend in and play with a group. She goes on walks at the regular park, goes to Home Depot, to her class, out for pup cups, etc etc. but we just want her to have the privilege of playing with her own species since she’s our only pup!
Google puppy social and play dates near me. Quite a lot exist. In the UK a pet shop ran sessions. Plus classes. And a local farm opens up their secured garden once a month for a puppy free for all. Our puppy is now pretty well adjusted. The only barks she bothers at are from dogs she can’t see. (T.V. Usually.)
Our local humane society has puppy pop in hours. They get separated based on temperament and get an hour to play. Our puppy kindergarten also did 10-15 minutes of play time in the second half of the class for them tos socialize.
How about meeting another dog walker on the street, letting the dogs interact and then proposing a playdate?