New pup, start socialization now or wait a bit?

[jas8099]

We just got our pup almost 2 weeks ago. She is warming up quite nicely to our family but she is quite nervous around other dogs still. I take her out in our backyard to potty and she FREAKS when she hears the neighbor dog bark and will not do her business and RUN for the door back inside. I am wondering if now (she is not fully vaccinated, she is only 9 1/2 weeks old- that's why I hesitate) or later I should start to take her to be around other dogs like at a dog park or petsmart visits. I know she needs some socialization and I have been taking her outside in the neighborhood alot and she is good with other people but dogs she seems to have a harder time with, she is little so I get it but I defiantly want to build her confidence but I want her to be safe.

[Emoore]

No, don't take her to Petsmart or the dog park until she's fully vaccinated.

She needs to have controlled interactions with dogs you are familiar with and know are healthy and well-mannered. Friends' dogs, family members' dogs, etc.

Anthony88 posted a thread recently about his puppy that was doing great with her socialization until he took her to a public dog park area and a dog mauled her. Now she's terrified of all dogs.

[Cassidy's Mom]

She needs a couple of rounds of puppy shot before I'd take her places where there have been a lot of strange dogs. She can socialize with known dogs who are friendly, healthy, and up to date on vaccinations. I carried mine at the vet's at that age, and I'd never have let them walk around on the floor at Petsmart. You can put her in the cart if you like (bring a blanket or towel from home to put in the bottom). Have lots of people over to meet her and/or bring her to other people's houses for socialization.

[jas8099]

Originally Posted by Emoore

No, don't take her to Petsmart or the dog park until she's fully vaccinated.

She needs to have controlled interactions with dogs you are familiar with and know are healthy and well-mannered. Friends' dogs, family members' dogs, etc.

Anthony88 posted a thread recently about his puppy that was doing great with her socialization until he took her to a public dog park area and a dog mauled her. Now she's terrified of all dogs.

good grief! That is terrible, I might wait quite a while then for that. I have taken my older dog to some dog parks but thankfully never had that experience.

[Anthony8858]

Hi,
I'll suggest you do your socialization very slowly, and keep your pup away from any place that could possibly have her in a position to be dominated.
Forget the threat of parasites and other goodies lurking in the public parks, the other dogs will ruin her in a flash.

Go read my recent thread about Kira being afraid of dogs and puppies.
I've been dealing with the project of rebuilding my 4 month old GSD's confidence, and it's not easy.
Go slow.

[doggiedad]

enroll in a puppy class. throughout the week
have a few play dates with the pups in
the class.

[jas8099]

Anthony- I am sorry that happened to Kira! I am sure if you keep working at it with her she will slowly come around.

Luci is great with people, even my crazy loud children but dogs are a different story. She was very nervous around Sam (our other dog) until only a few days ago, now they play all the time.

The puppy classes I think are a good idea, I might look into that. I don't want to overwhelm her and have her regress though so one step at a time.

[jas8099]

okay so now she wont go pee outside because the stupid people next door will not let their dog inside! It keeps barking over and over and she is so scared she will not go pee...WHAT DO I DO? I know she has to pee, its been almost 2 hours and I do not want her to make an accident because she is scared to go but I don't want to force her. Ugh.

[doggiedad]

take her somewhere other than the back yard.

Originally Posted by jas8099

okay so now she wont go pee outside because the stupid people next door will not let their dog inside! It keeps barking over and over and she is so scared she will not go pee...WHAT DO I DO? I know she has to pee, its been almost 2 hours and I do not want her to make an accident because she is scared to go but I don't want to force her. Ugh.

[jas8099]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

take her somewhere other than the back yard.

I had to take her on a leash down the street, ugh. The neighbirs dog is really loud and she would not go anywhere that was close to where he was. I Literally had to go 6 houses down the street. I hope she gets used to the barking soon. Most everyone in our neighborhood has a dog it just so happens our neighbor is The only one who will leave their dog out barking for hours.