Early socialisation of pups

[Rona]

Originally Posted by André

Hi
The first issue is early socialization vs parvovirus. There's several good articles about this but in my opinion the damage caused by lack of socialization is much more probable than the risk of parvovirus. Today I would risk a bit more with my puppy, even outside.
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That's true, but I thought what Gia meant by the early socialisation, was the time when the pups were still in the kennel?

[André]

Originally Posted by Rona

That's true, but I thought what Gia meant by the early socialisation, was the time when the pups were still in the kennel?

Ah, I'm sorry. Thought early = first 4/5 months.

[Gia]

Hanka, thanks for the link, it's a very interesting description!!

Andre, Rona was right, I meant the early socialization which pupies receive in the kennel from their breeders who want to ensure they have good start. But I fully agree with you and this is how we socialized K-Lee.

Apart from what Hanka writes, I expose my pups various noises, which I arrange. They also encounter objects of various shapes and surfaces of various texture in they pen. Some are wamer, some colder, some nicer and some a bit less.
I also try to make them familiar with an animal that has a different smell



I belive the early imprint of various stimuli will make them more open to new situations.

[André]

Sorry for my misunderstanding Gia. Even more interesting this way.

Some armies take this very serious and there's several methods to maximize puppy stimulus. Look at this great article about that, you can go directly to "Methods of Stimulation" point.

Cheers.

[Shadowlands]

Originally Posted by Gia

I also try to make them familiar with an animal that has a different smell



I belive the early imprint of various stimuli will make them more open to new situations.

Fantastic picture

For the early socialisation of our puppies, I don't think we do anything perticularly special...

Our puppies are handled daily - at first just by ourselves but, once they are a little bigger, by friends and neighbours. We have the local children come in to play for short periods of time once the puppies start to explore. Aunty Scrap, a street dog that adopted us, takes her job very seriously when it comes to teaching the puppies new games

We introduce them, like you Gia, to noises under our control and they have several short journeys in the car, not every day but at least every 3 rd day. If they are still with us after their last parvo injection, they are taken (individually or just in pairs) into the local town to experience traffic and crowds, buggies and bikes etc. and to learn to walk on the lead. All of the puppies are taught basic manners before they leave us - to sit and wait for their food being an important one for us . They are taught that food aggression is not acceptable and are lifted onto a table for light grooming daily (so that being on a table at the vets in the future is nothing traumatic...), and learn to 'show' their teeth and have their ears etc handled every day (helps for future showing or examinations).

I am interested to see what other people do - maybe we will add some things to the socialisation calendar for our upcoming litter .

Congratulations on your wonderful babies K-Lee - you have made your mummy very proud

[Gia]

Hi Andre! Thanks for the link, I do exactly the same things which the author describes, with all the puppies, every day. Additionally from the first days I touch and delicately massage their paws, ears and tails.

Sadie, thanks! We too, have many friends coming to us to play with the pups and touch them. Not only adults, but also kids and later – friendly dogs.
I haven’t tried putting them on the table, but you’re right, this is truly important, so I will add this to our “program”.

When the pups are a bit older and more ready for contact, I organize a special “socialization party” for them. The guests come dressed in costumes, so the pups are touched by and played with smerfs, a batman, bees or Greek gods. The party is funny and noisy and the pups are in the centre of attention. My first litter really loved it, just like K-lee.

[Enid Black]

O gosh Gia, I would really like to come to one of these parties!!!!! Puppies and costumes *_______*

[Gia]

You are invited whenever you want!!!