Question about socialization and shots or lack of.
 

Hi all,

I plan on taking our new pup out for socialization quite a bit. But I'm not sure where I can and can't take an 8 week old pup. I know high pet traffic areas are out. Is there any place else I should be careful about or avoid?

Also, this goes with the above question. I haven't had a pup in a long time... Can someone tell me what shots the pup typically has at the breeders and then what shots will he need once he comes home and at what age does he get them? When will it be safe to introduce him to other pets?

I'm still looking for a vet in the area, so if anyone knows of a good, raw friendly vet in the Raleigh area, please let me know :)

Thanks,

Alex

For 8 weeks old pup, socialization is the most critical period. Between 8 to 12 weeks of period, puppies experience their first fear impact period where you should be very careful of not to involve your puppy in any scary situations. I would suggest you to take your puppy out in public and encourage pup to meet friendly strangers, other dogs and animals. Socialization will surely help your pup to build self-confidence and acceptance of any future challenges.

socialization begins at home . the interaction between you and the dog . A pup at this age needs to establish and understand its new environment (home) , new members , new schedule , dynamics including leeway and parameters -- and you . That is a pretty big world right there . Creates loyalty . Let the dog focus on who is he with , you and your family , without confusing with these (so many) friendly strangers who have no meaning . This builds self - confidence . So did the initial social experience with the breeder , and visitors that they had which were allowed to interact with them without the visitor rolling them or oppressing them . By which I mean pin and restrain in some "temperament test" . Let the pups come and go as they choose.
Exposure to one , primary, pleasant person in the critical period , as a prototype for "people" is fine. Even in the Bar Harbour experiments with different breeds with different levels of sensitivity did well with exposure to one person for a short period of time.
I think this rush to expose is over exposure and overwhelming --- NOT for the truly confident dog who comes by it genetically , but in opposite , the sensitive insecure dog who is over stimulated at a vulnerable time . Let that dog get its bearings first .

Thanks for the replies.

I agree and plan on beginning his socialization at home. I want him to become familliar with me, my daughter and his new surrounds before we start venturing out and socializing. I don't want him to be overwhelmed with much. I'm taking time off of work so that my daughter and I canspend the first week at home with him and try and socialize him as much as we can in his new enviornment. Between the house, back yard, etc... there should be more than enough for him to explore the first week.

I was planning on taking him to a local park that is fairly quiet towards the end of the first week, just to expose him to a different enviornment. And depending on how that went, each week, add another "outing" until we're going out 4-5 times a week.

One of my concerns, is not knowing what's safe for pup, before his 3rd set of vaccines. Meaning what kind of areas should I avoid.