Puppy Socialization 8-16 wks

Ok I was just vieiwng the post on the beautiful cavalier book and reading a few chapter reviews. It mentioned that often your pets character is developed in the 8-16 wk period (which I have read before).

But it also cautioned not to let your pet near other dogs etc.. before final 4mth shots (16 wks). At the same time most articles I read pump the importance of puppy socialization classes. I see a conflict here...

What are the views here, to socialize your puppy with different noises, activities and visitors at home and wait out the 16 wks or do you attend puppy socialization classes etc.. I was going to let my daugher attend in march when the puppy will be 12-16 wks but now I think perhaps I should just find books with what they do in those classes and attempt to recreate the play at home.

Did you talk to the puppy class? Usually they will not accept puppies until their shots are completed anyway -- big insurance risk to them to risk being sued by someone whose puppy dies after exposure to distemper/parvo. Also in such training areas the concern is really your pup being exposed to what adult dogs in other classes might carry in, not the other puppies. Parvo for example can live for months on grass, floors, etc and thorugh hot or cold weather, and be carried in on shoes or paws.

Best way to socialise a pup is at home or visiting friends with adult vaccinated dogs or visiting other healthy puppies at home. You can socialise to other people and places by taking the pup for visits and having people around.

Thanks Karlin - I guess I will do the home route, but unfortunately other dogs wont be available. I am a little sensitive there as our lab came to us at 6mths after a rough start. Obedience classes turned her into a gentle loving pet - but she never got over (in 15 yrs) being around other dogs. She wasnt aggressive - just silly to the point you couldnt take where other dogs where for a day thing. She eventually got used to being around my brother, sister and parents dogs for the weekend, but she never got over that silly act while walking. I wanted make a good effort this time to have a dog that is at ease around other dogs.

The classes in my area do say all dogs must have shots - vet facility and obedience schools. But it hit me while reading that chapter, hey those classes are all for 8-16 wks, require shots but the shots aren't finished till 16 wks, so I am not sure how those same classes are fully booked? I guess there is a wild rush to make the class at exactly 16 wks!

Hey!

Kosmo's been fully vaccinated ! If you'de like the two of them to meet up and romp around you're more than welcome to. The puppy would probably beat kos up though - he's the very submissive non agressive type !

As for puppy classes - we weren't able to start until Kos was 4 months.

Good luck!

Thanks, I will take you up on that when the time comes!

Our lab got so excited to see another dog, it ruined many a walk! She hopped like a rabbit and spun around till they vanished. Then she looked at me like, wow thanks, that was fun mom - not! I gave up trying to take her on day outings with the kids like the beach etc.. it was just too exhausting, chasing them in the water pads and then holding a 100lb rabbit on a leash.

This time, although not necessary, it would be nice to have a dog that is relaxed and I can take about - its one of the reason I choose the Cavalier. My kids are in university and I work from home, the silence is irrating. It would be nice to have a relaxed dog that enjoys popping in the car for short errands and doesnt get all strung out with new people/places/other dogs! Oh to edit this; I realize I am trying to satisfy the mother part of me since my kids are grown up - I'm a headcase my husband says. He just commented when I came home with another "puppy item" you'd think you were having another baby! I am, I am I said!!

Kody said:

I realize I am trying to satisfy the mother part of me since my kids are grown up - I'm a headcase my husband says. He just commented when I came home with another "puppy item" you'd think you were having another baby! I am, I am I said!!

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My dh says the same to me all the time!

Sounds like your lab didn't have bad problems, more that she got overexcited at other dogs and became hard to manage? A good trainer could have helped a lot with that through slow conditioning to other dogs; Tara and Lisa often work with dogs like this. Any dog can get overexcited and overstimulated or fearful of other dogs, even those that have met lots of dogs as puppies. Lily has certainly been around a lot of dogs but remains snappy and barky initially until she gets to know them, and it is very slow progress working with her on that. So cavaliers can have all the same issues.

Temperament from the parents is as important as socialisation as there are a lot of fearful cavaliers coming from fearful parents for example (hence the im[portance, yet again, of a really good breeder who breedsfor health, conformation and temperament). Don't worry, 16 weeks is plenty young to start meeting other dogs but it would help if she could meet other safe dogs in safe places, that's for sure. Encopunters with cvarious noises and people is probably more important as puppies will always be good at meeting other dogs unless they have a problem encounter.

Some breeders/vets vaccinate earlier than others, some have just two, not three rounds of shots. Some puppies are done with shots at 10-14 weeks. Don't know why any place would list 8 week old puppies though as eligible for a class where they need to be vaccinated!

arasara said:

Hey!

Kosmo's been fully vaccinated ! If you'de like the two of them to meet up and romp around you're more than welcome to. The puppy would probably beat kos up though - he's the very submissive non agressive type !

As for puppy classes - we weren't able to start until Kos was 4 months.

Good luck!

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We'll Sara don't forget about us here in Thornhill.
Darby can take anything and loves to play, so you will have your own puppy classes right at your finger tips and all Cavaliers.

At least you will be able to socialize him/her with dogs that you know have been vacinated.

Linda said:

.. will have your own puppy classes right at your finger tips and all Cavaliers

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OK guys, your on! Now to just wait this out - I swear I stare at the calandar daily looking for February and the time is just not going fast enough

Kody said:

OK guys, your on! Now to just wait this out - I swear I stare at the calandar daily looking for February and the time is just not going fast enough

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<<< Just a little comfort for you and whining for me... I have to wait until March!! Our little one is just a few days old and our fil (thevet) is going to hold him/her until 12 weeks so that all the shots (required for flying) and such are set and everything and we can fly with our bundle of joy back to Ohio!

Karlin said:

Sounds like your lab didn't have bad problems, more that she got overexcited at other dogs

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That is it exactly. I expected her to get excited around other dogs, therefore it stayed.

She was locked in a bedroom for 2 mths because a well intentioned widow got nervous when the puppy got full sized but still had a tiny puppy attitude.

Knowing this when she came to us at 6mhts, she went to obedience asap and then went on to the advanced/off leash recall classes. Jessie got a special gift at graduation from the trainer because she said she was shocked :yikes we were one of a handful that managed it. But that was the hardest part for me to train her in, and the first to go! In the end balancing preschool kids and a large overly friendly dog, I just let it slip - you choose your battles as they say!

But my lifestyle is different now and it would be nice (if my subconscious doesnt get the better of me expecting this behaviour thereby encouraging it) I'd enjoy an easy-going, take-anywhere type.

Kody said:

Linda said:

.. will have your own puppy classes right at your finger tips and all Cavaliers

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OK guys, your on! Now to just wait this out - I swear I stare at the calandar daily looking for February and the time is just not going fast enough

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Can't wait, has she told you whether your getting the Tri or the B/T yet.

I remember sitting waiting at that Calendar so well waiting with anticipation and being a nervour wreck as to whether little Red was going to be mine or not. Oh then the wait began, we are here to help you through that.

Petsmart's puppy classes say to wait until after the 2nd round of shots and I believe that's where he's at now. They say they take puppies as early as 10 weeks.

Should I wait longer? I think I'm doing well training him myself so far...

[quote="LindaCan't wait, has she told you whether your getting the Tri or the B/T yet.[/quote]

Nope! We were told it would be a tan/black boy, but this wk she mentioned it could be a tri girl - it wasnt totally rules out. She knows my daugher originally had her heart set on a tri, but when she learned it would be one of the tan/black boys, she has stared at the pics so long she has developed in her head an attachment to them!

In the end colour/sex isnt the issue so to avoid becoming attached to one over the other I made this desktop of their latest 2 wks picture! Arent they cute! We are visiting them on the 27th, and I hope to find out then as it stresses me out for some reason not knowing which one!

My Wesley said:

Petsmart's puppy classes say to wait until after the 2nd round of shots and I believe that's where he's at now. They say they take puppies as early as 10 weeks.

Should I wait longer? I think I'm doing well training him myself so far...

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From the advice here from Karlin, and looking farther into it, I've made the choice to wait the full 16 wks and provide as much socialization on my own. Then go to group classes at 4mths, if that helps.