Socialization - Is this a bad idea?

[Gracie's My Girl]

We are lacking in socialization options for our 11 week old puppy. Unfortunately, I am not able to have a wide variety of friends and dogs come over on a routine basis so that Gracie can meet new people. However, she has done quite well with the people that she has been able to meet. She is very polite in her greetings and is confident.

She gets her 12 weeks shots on Tuesday and I have been considering taking her to the library on Thursday. I would not do more than sit on the benches outside underneath the shade. Hopefully, people would be happy to come over and say hello on their way in.

I can't imagine that a huge amount of people would take their dogs to the library, so I think we would be fairly safe from diseases. However, I am conflicted. Our breeder and vet said that we should wait until Gracie turns 16 weeks to begin socialization like this, but others have taken their puppies out at even younger than 12 weeks and had many positive experiences.

I would love to hear any thoughts on this!

[Tbarrios333]

I would go for it. If you're really worried, keep her in your arms or on the bench with you.
Do you have feed stores like Tractor supply near you? How about a BassProShops? Home Depot, Lowes? Usually stores that don't sell food let well behaved dogs enter and they provide great socialization opportunities.
I've taken both of my girls out from 10 weeks old. I just take necessary precautions and never visit areas with heavy dog traffic. You should be ok in high people traffic areas, but you can carry her around just to be safe and still expose her to the world.

[blehmannwa]

I do this with Havoc and it is great. Sometimes there can be too much attention but it's good practice.

[Mom2Shaman]

My vet totally made we swear to wait. However, our part of California is ridiculously parvo-ridden this year. I like the sit near the entrance to places to allow people watching. You will find people will come up, however, you may want to hand them a saniwipe kind of thing before petting. Explain to them the reason and they will be cool with it. People understand and want to help positively socialize animals while keeping them healthy too. You could have some people saniwipe the hands, then give them a treat (like one piece of dog food) to give, and then allow petting.

[doggiedad]

i got my puppy at 9 weeks old. he was in a
puppy class at 10 weeks old. the puppy class was
centered on socialization more than training.
during the week i made sure i had people visit
on a daily basis sometimes a couple a times a day.
i invited family, friends and neighbors to visit. i made sure the
mailman petted and treated my pup daily or as often as possible.
we went to the Vet 2 or 3 times a week for treats, pets
and mock exam (no charge). we use to hang out in front
of the Supermarket (near the doors), any 24 hour store,
the bank (walk through the ropes a couple of times),
invited people to visit (with their dogs), drive to center
city to walk around (lots of people and motion), walks in the woods,
walk through the flocks of birds, visit farms or any place that
had horses (i knew we would encounter them in the woods),
go to parties, visit people, went to play groups and had play groups
at our house. use your imagination when it comes to socializing.

[FG167]

I do puppy classes and then similar to what your plan is. I go to the grocery store or events at parks that I know will be full of people and EVERYONE wants to pet/play with the puppy. My pup is about 8.5 weeks old now and I've already had him several places with LOADS of people for socialization. He and I are really enjoying it and while I make sure the risk is minimal, it is more important to me that my pup get out to meet and see the world.

[doggiedad]

it's all about the out and about.

Originally Posted by FG167

I do puppy classes and then similar to what your plan is. I go to the grocery store or events at parks that I know will be full of people and EVERYONE wants to pet/play with the puppy. My pup is about 8.5 weeks old now and I've already had him several places with LOADS of people for socialization. He and I are really enjoying it and while I make sure the risk is minimal,

>>>>>it is more important to me that my pup get out to meet and see the world.<<<<<

[Freestep]

I agree that the library would be a good place to socialize, that is reasonably safe from parvo. As long as there aren't a lot of loose dogs in the area.

[kennajo]

I agree with the people watching. I love it and so does Rocky. We sit in the shade at Wal-mart (hold your puppy until his 3rd shot) or take a bath mat to let him lay on. Also Nurserys or landscaping places. Lots of shades and things to smell and lots of people.

[elisabeth_00117]

Originally Posted by FG167

I do puppy classes and then similar to what your plan is. I go to the grocery store or events at parks that I know will be full of people and EVERYONE wants to pet/play with the puppy. My pup is about 8.5 weeks old now and I've already had him several places with LOADS of people for socialization. He and I are really enjoying it and while I make sure the risk is minimal, it is more important to me that my pup get out to meet and see the world.

Same.