Everywhere?

[Campbell Corso]

Hi Everyone,
We have been told by our breeder to take our puppy everywhere. He said he took the dad everywhere. EVERYWHERE! The dad and the mom are incredibly well tempered and behaved. I'm curious if this is what you have done. Did you take your pups EVERYWHERE? Or was it more like a lot of different settings. And we're there some that were really beneficial or really not a good idea?


Thanks In Advance,



Campbell Corso

 

[raechiemay]

I'd definitely wait till your pup has enough vaccines in it's system before you start taking him places. Usually at least 2, maybe even 3 sets of vaccines. It's good to socialize the pup but you don't want to put him at risk. Do you have a Lowes by you?

 

[Smokeycat]

Before all shots are completed I avoid high dog traffic areas such as parks both regular and off leash. After the last booster I try to take them everywhere that I can. Sometimes this is just a ride in the car to help create a positive association with being left in the car for short periods (5-10 minutes). I personally feel that the more places and types of people that you expose a puppy to safely the more confident that puppy will be since there is less unknown out there.

 

[thelady_v2010]

I am trying to take my dog to as many places as I can, to get him to meet people, dogs and be in all kinds of situations.

 

[voidecho]

^What they said. Take the pup as many places as you can and introduce to as many dogs and people as you can after the pup's vaccinated.

 

[Campbell Corso]

Thanks for the input. I know to wait till puppy has her shots. I have heard of people taking their dogs to concerts and bars. I'm trying to find the limit of Everywhere. And the Lowe's idea is a good one. Did you facilitate meetings? Puppy this is eager kid or puppy this is Bob the curious Corgi? Dominant older/bigger dogs?

As i was writing this I came to realize I also have my own "fear" to deal with. With our previous dog I knew he wasn't dog friendly. He was dog tolerant. I also knew the reputation of the breed (Staffy) so I made sure he was never in situation that I couldn't control. Ie: on leash. But let me tell you, there are a bunch of dogs running off leash that have no reason being so. So I have a kind of unease with off leash, out of control dogs. So the dog park looks like a minefield to me. I don't want to pass this on, but I don't want puppy to have a scarring experience. So I guess I'm also how curious I am how active you are in these interactions? Sorry for the rambling!


Campbell Corso

 

[motolyn]

We have an 11 week EM named Brutus and once he has all his shots we will take him on walks through the outdoor shopping center. We did this with our weimaraner cause she needed to learn how to be around large crowds. Especially children, cause we wanted to make sure that our dogs would behave around small kids. Which worked out fine cause we had one mom ask if her daughter could pet our Weim and the little girl came over and grabbed a fist of fur and my weim didn't even flinch. We treated her very well after that. We also let kids treat our weim as well to build a positive image in our weim's mind.

We also took our Weim to Home Depot, a LOT. We were remodeiling our house, Lowes and Home Depot. They are signs on the door that says no dogs but I haven't found one employee that is not excited to see us when we walk in. We go so much that the employees know my Weim's name and ask us where she is when we don't bring her. So I can't wait to take Brutus out in public, also we have a dog beach nearby and puppy classes and puppy day care to socialize Brutus.

If you have an REI in your area, you could try taking your puppy there as well. The REI near me lets us bring dogs in if they are behaved, its to the discretion of the manager. We also have lunch and breakfast at restaurants that allow dogs in the patio area. I can promise you your puppy will be have a lot of socialization there.

 

[Campbell Corso]

Didn't think of meals. Great idea. Will start to find dog friendly places. And funny about Home Depot. Here they are all dog friendly.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Not a fan of dog parks or other off leash places either. To many out of control dogs and un-mannered owners. Otherwise though, "everywhere" should mean as many places as you can manage!

 

[thelady_v2010]

Thanks for the input. I know to wait till puppy has her shots. I have heard of people taking their dogs to concerts and bars. I'm trying to find the limit of Everywhere. And the Lowe's idea is a good one. Did you facilitate meetings? Puppy this is eager kid or puppy this is Bob the curious Corgi? Dominant older/bigger dogs?

As i was writing this I came to realize I also have my own "fear" to deal with. With our previous dog I knew he wasn't dog friendly. He was dog tolerant. I also knew the reputation of the breed (Staffy) so I made sure he was never in situation that I couldn't control. Ie: on leash. But let me tell you, there are a bunch of dogs running off leash that have no reason being so. So I have a kind of unease with off leash, out of control dogs. So the dog park looks like a minefield to me. I don't want to pass this on, but I don't want puppy to have a scarring experience. So I guess I'm also how curious I am how active you are in these interactions? Sorry for the rambling!


Campbell Corso

I have the EXACT same fear! Not unease, full on fear of off leash dogs. Learning my dog has given me a ton of confidence, though. I don't think I will be taking my dog to dog parks, because most around here have a strict neuter rule. I won't be neutering mine for a while yet, so he won't be allowed. But, we do go to dog trails, where the dogs have to be leashed. But we still meet and greet lots of dogs. I would not take my dog to a bar, maybe to Lowes, but definitely a trip to the pet store, etc. Lots of sounds in a parking lot to get used to.

 

[CeeCee]

I'm with you on the dog parks. I wanted to be a fan, but there are too many out of control dogs that it will only put my dogs at risk should something go wrong.

We like to go walking in a bunch of different neighborhoods and villages...you never know what you'll encounter.

 

[Campbell Corso]

Good to know it's not just me! Thanks!

 

[rangermom]

Take the pup to a school when it is being let out. TONS of screaming, running children....perfect for socialization. And he will draw a crowd. Kids love puppies, (ok, who doesn't?). Likewise, go to the local park on a warm day and let him mix with the kids. I used to bring a baggie of treats with me. I would pass them out to the kids to give to my dog.


Also, I'm not sure how old or big your pup is now, but if he's maybe 8 weeks old, it might be possible to carry him in your arms, that way you don't have to worry so much about parvo, etc. Of course, if he's too big, that idea is out.

I have found that when we camp, it is the absolute best socialization ever. Even if you don't intend to stay the night, go to a campground on a busy Saturday and just walk around. You can see kids on the playground, tons of other dogs, people playing frizbee, people driving remote control cars, playing volleyball, radios blaring, bikes zig-zagging in the road, scooters and skate-boarders. Perfect for a pup to see all of those things. And he will for sure attract attention and learn that people approaching him is ok and nice.

 

[Skiner]

Those are all great suggestions. Also when your pup has all the vaccinations up to date, consider taking it to Petsmart. Pretty obvious but lots of people and other dogs to interact with. Especially on the weekends when they hold adoptions. Plus its a good way to spoil your new family member some more with new toys!

 

[raji]

I have also been taking my 5 month old EM, Indy to the vet to visit each week. My last dog was petrified of vet visits(I felt guilty every time we went). They are crazy about him and he gets so much attention when we drop by! The girls all take pix with him-he thinks it's a big party just for him! A couple of weeks ago, I'd gotten slack and we hadn't been in about 10 days, when I got a call from a couple of the girls telling me to bring him in that they missed him! He loves going there and I know he'll get theroyal treatment when we need them!

 

[Campbell Corso]

Wow! Lots of great ideas!

Thanks!

 

[Cody]

I take my dogs to our vet almost weekly. I want them to be comfortable and familiar with them in case something ever happens. I try to go as many places as I can with our dogs. Another good one is Bass Pro shops. They are pet friendly and insane lol. I tend to stand a lot by the shooting range for sounds and stimulation. As for dog parks, we don't go. My dogs are both fine with other dogs, but I do not trust other people. A Corso, as has been said a lot on this forum, won't necessarily start an altercation but will finish one.

 

[Jeri]

I take Camo to our favorite bar on bike nights. Lots of people, motorcycles and sometime children and/or other dogs. The only thing is, although the bar owner doesn't care if he comes inside, if the band is playing we stay out. It's just too loud in an enclosed area. I've been doing this since he's been little, and now he isn't afraid of the bikes, and he loves the attention.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Ditto the vet idea. Once he's got all his shots (cause vets offices are honestly contaminated by sick dogs), call your vets office and ask the receptionist if there's a "less busy" time of day cause you want to bring him in and get him used to the place. Then bring lots of yummy treats, make a couple circuts of the parking lot, asking periodically for a sit or other "trick" and treating and rewarding heavily. THen take him inside, if the dog scale is in the lobby stand him on it, treat and reward him for doing so. Have the receptionist give him treats, any techs who wander through give him treats, if the vet wanders through give him treats.....you get the idea. Once he's getting more comfortable with the idea start showing up during busier times. Just make sure you stay out of the way of the patients who have appointments! I did this with Apollo, and he now drags me in the door when we go to the vets office, cause he knows everyone will tell him how handsome he is and fuss over him, he rushes right up to the desk and stands up to look over it. He scared the living daylights out of a new receptionist once that way, but then she had to come around the desk and pet him so it was ok.

 

[Campbell Corso]

Great idea about the vet. Better to have her like it. Believe it or not the parks in our town don't allow dogs. School, camp ground- great ideas!