training new puppy in cold

[gsmom]

Hello,
Kaya is our 8 week old gsd that we are picking up on Saturday. My question is how to best socialize a young dog during the cold winter months. I'm sure a lot of you had to deal with this already. Thanks for your help.

Kaya's mom:

[sharkey19]

Do you plan on doing puppy classes? That is a good start.

[gsmom]

Yes, I plan on classes and obedience. However, I don't know when to start. Some say they need all their shots. Would love more advice on this. I don't want her to get sick, but I want her socialized early.

Thanks

[sharkey19]

This article might be helpful to you. Her website is a great resource!

Articles | Resources | Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM, MS

[Kaity]

Training in the wintertime is such a pain in the bum but it's fun . We live in igloos up here (okay not literally but my house sure feels like it sometimes!!) You're going to be wearing thick socks and sweaters around the house all the time so you don't have to make puppy wait to go outside for potty. I used to train Vida throughout the day and we usually went for walks at night when I got off work, between 10-12pm. in the middle of a blizzard and she looovvvveeeeeddddd it! Good luck

[KZoppa]

Training classes will not allow you to be in class with your pup until your pup is updated on shots and has their first rabies shot done. This is for safety reasons of all pups involved.

Socializing in winter is tough but can be done. take your pup for rides, short walks in the park. Let your pup people watch. Have people over to socialize. Make sure all experiences are positive. You can probably even find a place that does puppy play groups (after all shots are updated and good to go) to use as well.

[Kaity]

I don't see how it would be hard to socialize in the winter.. somebody update me here.

I took Vida out to hardware stores, walks at all times of the day, usually around grade schools and high schools when I knew there was a break. Some days I'd just let her watch and feel comfortable around so many people without getting excited and sometimes.. well, it's hard for people to resist a cute little puppy.. Just need to think of where more people are, and where more dogs are. Vida didn't go for a walk until she was 12-13 weeks (more than down the street anyways)

Cold months are good if you're doing one on one training at your park or something. I never wanted distractions with Vida until later on and that's almost exactly what I got because so many people would keep their dogs inside or not walk for very long.

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by KZoppa

Training classes will not allow you to be in class with your pup until your pup is updated on shots and has their first rabies shot done. This is for safety reasons of all pups involved.

Maybe this is state-specific? We started puppy class at 9 weeks but he didn't have rabies until 14 weeks. The class required that all puppies be examined by a vet and have age-appropriate shots, and dogs over 16 weeks had to have rabies.

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by Emoore

Maybe this is state-specific? We started puppy class at 9 weeks but he didn't have rabies until 14 weeks. The class required that all puppies be examined by a vet and have age-appropriate shots, and dogs over 16 weeks had to have rabies.

that possible. I know everyone i contacted when i considered getting Shasta into a puppy class shortly after i brought her home, all said 16 weeks so she had her rabies shots. Also what i'm learning in my obedience trainer course says the same thing. It could very well be state specific or just company specific depending on where you go i guess. Would make sense.

[gsmom]

Thank you for the great ideas.