Tips on socialization for my gsd

euser1984

Currently I have introduced my dog to a variety of people, busy places, lots of sounds.

I am going to introduce her to cows and horses in the next few days.
How can I go about meeting more dogs that I'm sure will be social? Also, what about cats? Basically, I don't want her to have any bad experiences at this age (10 weeks).

I would also like to introduce her to the sound of guns - I remember I dog I walked ran full speed away from me and across an estate (with moving vehicles) after someone let off a firework last Halloween.

Thanks.

Synyster Shadow

I have a Doberman and from day one he was walked where there was pigs goats chickens cows horses donkey's and all kinds of areas like forest and towns and so on he was also brought in the car from puppy as they sometimes don't travel well. He's great with people and specially kids as he's been around them all his life just anything different introduce puppy to. The only thing mine don't like is sheep as I can't go near them so couldn't have him in contact either. Just make sure everyday things are covered. Obviously there will be somethin different down the line you can't prepare for everything. I live in a small village and my dad's is on a farm so I concentrated on all that surrounds those areas

toadfly

Do you have any friends with well behaved socialized vaccinated dogs that could meet up with you. Is your pup fully vaccinated? You shouldn't be bringing her out this young amongst dogs etc that you aren't sure are vaccinated.

euser1984

I do have friends with a dog each but one was a tiny terrier and the other a submissive red setter. I also introduced her to a super friendly golden retriever. I think I need to get more variety though.

Today I introduced her to kids in a playground and as usual she needs time to warm (she growled quietly) - most likely if I bring her back again she will be ok.

toadfly

Is she fully vaccinated though? You are risking her getting very serious infections like parvo and lepto. Don't know where in the country you are but several dogs in Mayo died this week from similar infections. A young pup wouldn't stand a chance.

euser1984

TillyGirl wrote: »

Is she fully vaccinated though? You are risking her getting very serious infections like parvo and lepto. Don't know where in the country you are but several dogs in Mayo died this week from similar infections. A young pup wouldn't stand a chance.

She was vaccinated but she needs to get a booster which will be next week. I'm actually in Mayo - I didn't know the cause of the deaths was due to not being vaccinated??

toadfly

She's not covered until a few weeks after final injection.

There's a thread here on the problem in Mayo and I think it was unvaccinated dogs.

tk123

euser1984 wrote: »

Today I introduced her to kids in a playground and as usual she needs time to warm (she growled quietly) - most likely if I bring her back again she will be ok.

I've always walked my guy past the playground - just to get him used to the noise, kids trying to pet him, parents freaking out he's going to eat their kids, or in some cases freaking out at their kids, bold small dogs bought for kids and never trained going ballistic at him as we pass and their left dumped tied to the far end of the playground, balls, bikes, trikes flying past etc etc ..So you could possibly try just passing by from a distance to get her used to it?

Where are you based OP and people might be able to suggest good spots. We went to the social hour in positive dog training last week and it was fantastic - a good mix of different sizes of dogs, new toys/objects to investigate etc

fishfoodie

tk123 wrote: »

I've always walked my guy past the playground - just to get him used to the noise, kids trying to pet him, parents freaking out he's going to eat their kids, or in some cases freaking out at their kids, bold small dogs bought for kids and never trained going ballistic at him as we pass and their left dumped tied to the far end of the playground, balls, bikes, trikes flying past etc etc ..So you could possibly try just passing by from a distance to get her used to it?

Where are you based OP and people might be able to suggest good spots. We went to the social hour in positive dog training last week and it was fantastic - a good mix of different sizes of dogs, new toys/objects to investigate etc

I recommended on a previous similar thread to time your walk so you can stop by a primary school at the start or the end of the day; you get a good mix of cars kids, noise etc. With a puppy you'll get some parents who aren't terrified, & most kids just want to pet the fluffy puppy.

All you have to do is protect you dog from too much stimulation

euser1984

Ok thanks - I've been reading up on Leerburgs technique for not letting strangers near you dog at all. I may go with this method actually now that I know about it!

Aru

O.P until the a week after the second injection is given your pup is NOT protected from any of the diseases covered in the vaccines.

Please please be careful.... in the last week many unvaccinated dogs in the newport/westport region have come down with and died of Parvo (one of the diseases vaccinated against) It causes diarrhea that can become bloody,tiredness, a fever and vomiting and even with intensive veterinary care the virus has a high death rate as it destroys the internal systems of the gut.

The stain around at the moment appears to be even more severe than usual. Parvo itself is not at all uncommon in Mayo at the best of times and vets in large towns like ballina regularly see small outbreaks. Puppies are most at risk of this disease...

If you are going to bring her out and about carry her rather then let her run about until the vaccines are in action. This is a very difficult to kill virus that lives in the environment for months or in some cases years if the situation is right.

Its not as simple as keeping the pup away from other dogs unless they are vaccinated its more important to keep her away from where other dogs could have been so the likes of popular dog walking spots are a very bad idea for an unprotected pup.

DBB

euser1984 wrote: »

Ok thanks - I've been reading up on Leerburgs technique for not letting strangers near you dog at all. I may go with this method actually now that I know about it!

If you do one thing for your pup, get your online advice from qualified trainers, behaviourists, and behavioural scientists... In other words, avoid the likes of Leerburg, whose advice and approach is monumentally outdated and potentially harmful.
http://www.dogstardaily.com is a good start, but please avoid anyone who insists on talking about the snake oil that is dominance/pack leader stuff, and indeed those who happily sell shock collars to use in dog training.
http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.co.uk

euser1984

Aru wrote: »

O.P until the a week after the second injection is given your pup is NOT protected from any of the diseases covered in the vaccines.

Please please be careful.... in the last week many unvaccinated dogs in the newport/westport region have come down with and died of Parvo (one of the diseases vaccinated against) It causes diarrhea that can become bloody,tiredness, a fever and vomiting and even with intensive veterinary care the virus has a high death rate as it destroys the internal systems of the gut.

The stain around at the moment appears to be even more severe than usual. Parvo itself is not at all uncommon in Mayo at the best of times and vets in large towns like ballina regularly see small outbreaks. Puppies are most at risk of this disease...

If you are going to bring her out and about carry her rather then let her run about until the vaccines are in action. This is a very difficult to kill virus that lives in the environment for months or in some cases years if the situation is right.

Its not as simple as keeping the pup away from other dogs unless they are vaccinated its more important to keep her away from where other dogs could have been so the likes of popular dog walking spots are a very bad idea for an unprotected pup.

Ok, I have just rang the vet and will bring her in tomorrow. She does have diarrhea which I thought may be to do with her treats which I've stopped giving her. She is just on high quality dried cereal now.

boomerang

If she is ten weeks old and already growling and uncomfortable in new situations OP, I think you're going to need proper help and advice.


Take it from someone with a now ten year old GSD x who was poorly socialised and came with a nervous personality, to boot.

andreac

euser1984 wrote: »

Ok, I have just rang the vet and will bring her in tomorrow. She does have diarrhea which I thought may be to do with her treats which I've stopped giving her. She is just on high quality dried cereal now.

Do you mean high quality dog food? What food is she on?

euser1984

andreac wrote: »

Do you mean high quality dog food? What food is she on?

Burns but she never took to it much so I started using gain today.

jimf

euser1984 wrote: »

Burns but she never took to it much so I started using gain today.

did you change over gradually if not this may explain loose bowel movements

what gain product have you changed to

euser1984

Hi,
It's gain big dog puppy. I didn't gradually do it because she just stopped eating burns.

jimf

you just cant change over like that it has to be done gradually even with adult dogs let alone puppies

euser1984

Ok, well I'm going to the vet for her vaccination booster on Monday so I'll talk to her/him about it.

She did just stop eating burns though - not sure why. However, she had only been on it a few days!

She did not have burns yesterday or today, she went to the toilet twice today and in general the stools were tending towards solid, although could have been better. Then, the second time after moving the stools there was abit of diarrahea.

DogsFirst

A "Crash Bang Wallop" CD is great for ridding of the fear of fireworks etc

Its essentially a sound effect CD. You put it on really really low when they're eating their dinner. Over weeks you turn it up. You're looking to change the reaction essentially from a negative association to a positive, using their dinner! Soon they'll love the sound of fire works. Also on there will be trains, guns, pots and pans, deep voices, shouts and screams. Works a treat.

GSD's and wheat don't mix either. If the diarrhoea is recurring move her from a wheat based kibble (and remove wheat based treats), that'll shore it up!

DogsFirst

euser1984 wrote: »

Ok, well I'm going to the vet for her vaccination booster on Monday so I'll talk to her/him about it.

She did just stop eating burns though - not sure why. However, she had only been on it a few days!

She did not have burns yesterday or today, she went to the toilet twice today and in general the stools were tending towards solid, although could have been better. Then, the second time after moving the stools there was abit of diarrahea.

If still srunny after removing wheat (which is Burns food), the next culprits are cooked chicken and cooked beef. These are the number two and three allergens in dogs today. Cooked meat (especially the stuff in dry food, which if including meat meal, is cooked twice). This is hard to digest (think overcooking a steak), it hangs around the digestive system and the immune system that patrols the gut (the GALT, Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue) doesn't like this, treats them as foreign protein. It sends out the troops via the blood and your GSD gets inflammation in that area, this causes the diarrohea. Just trying to get the crap out as quick as possible.

Removing all three clears up 90% of recurring diarrhoea in dogs, certainly in GSD's, Golden Retrievers, Westies, Rotties, Poodles, Boxers and white coated breeds in general.

toadfly

How did you get on at the vets OP? Hope your pup is ok.

euser1984

Ok, on gain food at the moment and the issue seems to be gone but I will check the ingredients later on to be sure.

TillyGirl - The pup was a good patient, he reckons the scratching is most likely fleas as the skin is fine (I think I know where she got them), he gave me tablets for de-worming, and of course he gave here the vaccinations. He said she is very healthy.

He put the flea stuff on her neck and gave me more to put on in two weeks. Does the flea stuff attract the fleas to the location seeing as the whole coat didn't need to be done?

It all cost 30 euro also! The vet is very experienced and is related to me Maybe that would be the normal cost for such?