Socializing Puppy When Living Rurally

[Aleksandra 157]

Just wondered how it is best to socialize 10months old when living rurally ? We have not lived here long so have very few people visit.Consequentially ,Jesse is very fearful/aggressive if anybody outside family comes to the house.I have just been reading a research paper on here saying 3/6 weeks is critical for socialization ,obviously pup is still with mum,so it's almost impossible to know what their background is then.Also says best time to get a pup is 6weeks,which I would have felt was a bit early .We got Jesse at 10 weeks.He is fine when we occasionally take them to cafe etc,again not often because of distance,it's just in our....His....home.Love to hear your thoughts on this.. :)

Edited September 8, 2013 by Lulusuki

[DesertDobes]

Don't have a good answer for you on this but I went through the same things with my male. The year we got him we were flooded in at our house for a good part of the year so he never saw other dogs or people and was a nightmare to take anywhere where there was another dog.

He is now about to turn 3 and has become a lot more social just through going to shows and trials and playing with neighbors so I wouldn't worry that the ideal time to socialise has passed.

[Aleksandra 157]

Thanks for that desertdobes,he really has come so far re. obedience that I am hopeful neutering and age will calm him :)

[espinay2]

Where did you read that six weeks was a good time? 6 to 8 weeks is generally considered to be a period when pups need interaction with their litter to learn better dog to dog communication. 8 weeks is also the minimum age a registered breeder is allowed to sell a pup and in some states this is law as well (eg NSW). Socialization however is an ongoing thing though that starts at the breeders and continues when you take the pup home. Have a read of the thread 'fear period' (just below) and have a look at the article I posted there that may give you some help.

When it comes to socialization when you live in a rural area, this can mean you need to make more effort to get your dog out and about. If you have a town nearby, even a small one, taking your dog and just walking down the street and going to the park and walking around on Lead can be good. Try and find a training class nearby (ask your local vet). See if the locals have any social activities such as walking groups (ask at the vet). Take your pup for drives when you take the rubbish to the tip or to pick up stuff at the rural supply place. Basically anywhere different and out and about seeing and doing things is good.

[julesluvscavs]

Hi .

We live in a semi rural coastal area but theres still plenty of places around here to take our young one out and about eg markets, cafes, beach etc

We only got our puppy at 10 weeks, but the breeder had socialized her prior with some of her friends coming to visit . Plus the breeder also had cats and other Cavs and another breed of dog ;)

We didn't take her out until she had her second vaccinations but luckily after we did have a couple places nearby that do puppy kindy, so we took her for some very basic training and socialization.

Miah is now about 10 months old and very friendly around people and other dogs and hasn't shown any fear of anything at all *touch wood* ;)

Edited September 8, 2013 by Jules❤3Cavs

[Tralee]

Sorry for the short answer but you simply have to make the effort.

It doesn't require much. It can be as simple as taking her with you to friends.

Formal obedience is highly recommended, practically mandatory.

Just a quiet word; you may pay in the long term for not adequately socialising your dog.

Regards.

[Aleksandra 157]

Thank you for all of your replies,.I will try and find the link (on this forum),that suggested pups leaving litter at 6weeks.I personally do not agree with it and have always got my puppies at 10weeks earliest.As for Jesses training I have completed a 6week training course,and he and our JS always go in the car with either myself or my husband.We often go for a drive just to get them off the property.My life revolves around my dogs so I think there is not a lack of effort.Want to make it clear that I was in no way criticizing the breeder,who is very reputable

and has helped enormously with some issues.I absolutely know the danger of an unsocialised dog,which is why I asked for advice!I posted this not to be controversial but just to see how other people deal with living in a remote area.Thank you again for advice :)

[julesluvscavs]

I have always been under the impression that pups are supposed to stay with their Mother until at least 8 weeks under normal circumstances. Defiantly from registered breeders.

When I was growing up (years ago) my parents were registered GSD breeders and their puppies never went to their new homes before 8 weeks and that was years ago. Theirs were always well socialized.

It's good that you are asking for advice and want to do the right thing by your young one :) x

Edited September 8, 2013 by Jules❤3Cavs

[pebbles]

Lulusuki, I can understand your problem. I live in a very small town and while my dogs are socialised outside home, they go to the shops, when they are babies I always take them into the post office, bank etc put them on the counter and get everyone/anyone to pet them. They have been shown and never a problem. Home - now that's another scene - very seldom have visitors and the odd occasion I did the dogs weren't happy, barking and not wanting to have anything to do with the visitors although they had met them when out and were quite happy. I just gave up and would put the dogs outside if they didn't settle quickly.

[Aleksandra 157]

Pebbles thank you so much for your reply!Your situation sounds very like mine! You have explained it so well....fine out of their own property,but the collie becomes crazy,barking ,jumping etc.

Has never bitten but obviously want to address this before rather than later.He is a beautiful dog,very cuddly and obedient but in spite of having 7 purebred dogs of different breeds over 35y

years,I am finding this a real challenge ,to the point I'm wondering if I should have chosen such a large dog at my age! In the past I have had Keeshound,JSpitz,Samoyed and collies....Think I might do as you do and have dogs enclosed on the rare occasion other people are here,thanks so much,again... :)

[pebbles]

Lulusuki, there's times when it doesn't always go the way we would like and so we just have to compromise. Mine are just 2 small dogs now and while I'd like them to welcome people it just doesn't work like that now. I've got a sign on the back gate so the few visitors use the front door. I've had different breeds over the years, started with Collies, and until a while back lived in a more populated area, had frequent visitors and all the previous dogs were fine. When I moved here I brought a couple with me, a Min Pin and a Gordon Setter who were used to people visiting so they were OK. After I lost them to old age I eventually got the 2 I have now, A Min Pin first then a Silky Terrier. Most Mins are territorial, Mick is no exception and when I got Abby she followed Mick's lead. I have shown both and tried many things to get them to accept visitors but the stress on the dogs and me just wasn't worth it. So it's out in the yard for them, peace for me and them (and the visitor lol).

[Aleksandra 157]

Thank you again ,Pebbles you make so much sense and make me feel so much better about my situation ! I only have one house entrance but I have padlocked the main gate to the property and keep the main gate locked so no one can just wander in.Gives me time to get both dogs outside.The big difference is I no longer feel guilty doing it!!! :)

[Aleksandra 157]

Forgot to say I just love the min pins.Never seen them in n z but saw one at a cafe in Melbourne .Gorgeous! :)

[Steve]

For a very long time puppies went home at 6 weeks.Then vaccines became available and they needed to give them at 6 weeks and took 10 to 14 days to work so the kennel councils bought this into their code of ethics.New vaccines dont need that long between them going in and home time and only need about 2 to 3 days. Puppies need to be socialised with their Mum and their litter up to 6 weeks after that they need to be socialised with humans and be exposed to things that they will be faced with in their new homes. Because its now become the norm and we as breeders are not able to allow puppies to go home at 6 weeks - in some states its illegal then the onus is on the breeder to do what many argue is better done at 6 weeks by the new owner. In my breed - Maremma I truly do believe they would be better off going home at 6 weeks than 8 and I work very hard ensuring the pups are prepared for what type of home they will go to. At 6 weeks some get to sit on my knee and get loads of human one on one and cuddles some get life with chickens and others get life with sheep with less human time. I believe its better for them to be meeting the actual animals they will continue to live with ,not just the species and the humans who will be part of and in their lives. Many Breeders of this breed who either don't know the law or who don't care place their puppies at 6 weeks because they think it best for them,I cant due to codes and laws but I do think it would be better for the pups and their new families.

All any of us can do is consider what we want to have as our end result and take steps to ensure the pup is exposed to such things and make the effort to do what needs to be done. For example if you want your dog to accept and allow all visitors in then you have to ensure you expose it to people coming and going as a very regular enjoyable experience etc

But don't get too bent out of shape over this - judge what is needed for your dog in your environment according to your lifestyle Living in a rural situation doesn't always fit with what has become the norm for those who live in suburbia. Just do what you normally do and want your dog to share with you as often as you can.

[Aleksandra 157]

Hi Steve ,Thank you so much for your informed and sensible reply!I was beginning to think I had got the 6weeks leaving mum issue wrong so I reread it and it was just as you say.Showing my age here but 35yrs ago ,when I first began showing spitz varieties things were very different. Pups left Mum earlier,love and general wellbeing and happiness of dogs took precedent over the big influence of trainers etc.who often have differing ideas.My dogs are always very important members of our family,treated with love and consideration at all times.Showing my age again....I think it's a lot like raising children,theories come and go but are often not as good as the old ways.EG.we very rarely heard of dog attacks but there is a serious one here in NZ nearly every week now.

You are very knowledgable about dogs and along with Pebbles suggest I not worry so much about the details.Had Jesse at the vet yesterday and she said he was in great condition mentally and physically so I will continue just removing them on the rare occasion someone calls!I can no longer do long lead walks after a serious illness developed after I got Jesse,but it is unfair of some bloggers to suggest I need to put in more effort as my dogs are the most important things in the world to me (except for my husband).and he would say that's some times debatable!He's a good Aussie bloke!!!Again Steve and Pebbles,Thank you .