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Socializing?

NeoBull

NeoBull

Well-Known Member
What do/did you do to socialize your Mastiff puppy?

Over the summer we took Branka to parades, town festivals, parks, kids fountain parks, Saturday market, camping, hotel stays, etc. Now we do parks (when it's not raining), pet stores, Home Depot, if it's dry we go to a nice not too crowded dog park, hang out at the local ice rink, etc. We've taken her just about every where we were allowed to and could think of to take her :)

Anyone else have some cool dog friendly places to socialize?
 
bullyBug

bullyBug

Well-Known Member
Did you do a puppy class? The vet's office is also a good place to get her used to going. (Happy visits, just weigh ins and treats!) If you're going to be using a groomer, you should also get her used to going there.

ETA: You're doing an amazing job so far!
 
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NeoBull

NeoBull

Well-Known Member
bullyBug said:
Did you do a puppy class? The vet's office is also a good place to get her used to going. (Happy visits, just weigh ins and treats!) If you're going to be using a groomer, you should also get her used to going there.

ETA: You're doing an amazing job so far!
Click to expand...

We do weigh in's about every other week at the vets. We won't be using a groomer, I bathe and do nail trims for all my dogs :)

I did want to do a puppy class but I just haven't had time :( I worked as a dog trainer for years, so I'm not too worried about it since she's getting lots of socialization in other places. I do think I'll put her in an advanced class that tests for the CGC at the end this summer, both of my other dogs have CGC's. And if I can find some time to REALLY get into training I want to do Rally or Obedience with her, nice that the AKC allows mixes to compete now :)
 
S

sunbear

Well-Known Member
We have play dates with the puppies and family/friends dogs of all shapes and sizes. The older EM's do not like little dogs much. Especially my male, could be the chihuahua at the house who bosses him around though :) Having play dates helps the puppies as they grow to learn to be around smaller dogs.

My female is in training to be a therapy reading dog right now. Testing is coming up this spring. I can not wait for her to pass. As part of her training, she goes to a local shelter and "plays" or reads with the residents. Helps with the human contact, but not with other dogs.
 
lolisnme

lolisnme

Active Member
Well you are doing great, thats about all there is..Just keep it up, even though its the same stuff. It is very important to keep socialization ongoing throughout their lives.

I asked everywhere I went if they allowed dogs: Banks, non-grocery stores (Big Lots, Marshalls, Ross), some schools (must ask for allergies first), Some nursing homes (even if not a therapy dog), other people's homes (with out dogs) etc. Some people don't mind and it helps teach them manners :)
Hope this helps ;)
 
NeoBull

NeoBull

Well-Known Member
sunbear said:
We have play dates with the puppies and family/friends dogs of all shapes and sizes. The older EM's do not like little dogs much. Especially my male, could be the chihuahua at the house who bosses him around though :) Having play dates helps the puppies as they grow to learn to be around smaller dogs.

My female is in training to be a therapy reading dog right now. Testing is coming up this spring. I can not wait for her to pass. As part of her training, she goes to a local shelter and "plays" or reads with the residents. Helps with the human contact, but not with other dogs.
Click to expand...

Cool, I've found some of my girls litter mates and we're planning to set up some play dates with them when it gets a little dryer :)

---------- Post added at 06:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 PM ----------
lolisnme said:
Well you are doing great, thats about all there is..Just keep it up, even though its the same stuff. It is very important to keep socialization ongoing throughout their lives.

I asked everywhere I went if they allowed dogs: Banks, non-grocery stores (Big Lots, Marshalls, Ross), some schools (must ask for allergies first), Some nursing homes (even if not a therapy dog), other people's homes (with out dogs) etc. Some people don't mind and it helps teach them manners :)
Hope this helps ;)
Click to expand...

Cool, I was in college when my older 2 dogs were puppies, I used to take them to the library, professors and coaches offices, etc.

So which places let you bring yours in?
 
NeoBull

NeoBull

Well-Known Member
lolisnme said:
Well you are doing great, thats about all there is..Just keep it up, even though its the same stuff. It is very important to keep socialization ongoing throughout their lives.

I asked everywhere I went if they allowed dogs: Banks, non-grocery stores (Big Lots, Marshalls, Ross), some schools (must ask for allergies first), Some nursing homes (even if not a therapy dog), other people's homes (with out dogs) etc. Some people don't mind and it helps teach them manners :)
Hope this helps ;)
Click to expand...

Cool, I was in college when my older 2 dogs were puppies, I used to take them to the library, professors and coaches offices, etc.

So which places let you bring yours in?
 
LadyDogLover

LadyDogLover

Well-Known Member
Everywhere...every errand I ran, they accompanied me. They weren't allowed in some of those places, but I took them along for the ride anyway and when I was done taking care of business we'd walk around the grounds of wherever I'd
gone. We've visited family in a nursing home, grocery stores, dog parks, regular parks, pet stores, libraries (not allowed inside though), malls, shopping centers, vets office, animal hospitals, clinics, home depot...you name it and I've probably done it.
 
NeoBull

NeoBull

Well-Known Member
We do take her to an outdoor mall, I don't think she'd be very welcome in the regular one though. She also come out to eat with us in the summer, places with outdoor seating.
 
lolisnme

lolisnme

Active Member
These places said yes: Big Lots (even though I didn't need to, I would still make the rounds for practice and get a dog toy or something), Ross, World Market, Nordstrom Rack, Banks, Jewelry store, Big 5 Sporting goods, restaurants with outdoor seating, etc.

Hope this helps :)
 
NeoBull

NeoBull

Well-Known Member
lolisnme said:
These places said yes: Big Lots (even though I didn't need to, I would still make the rounds for practice and get a dog toy or something), Ross, World Market, Nordstrom Rack, Banks, Jewelry store, Big 5 Sporting goods, restaurants with outdoor seating, etc.

Hope this helps :)
Click to expand...

Wow, Nordstrom Rack? That's surprising. What do you say? You just go in 1st without your dog and ask if you can bring them in?
 
lolisnme

lolisnme

Active Member
NeoBull said:
Wow, Nordstrom Rack? That's surprising. What do you say? You just go in 1st without your dog and ask if you can bring them in?
Click to expand...
Yep. It helps to speak with a manager and explain why you are bringing them in. They asked me if she would bite or hew on clothes after I assured she wouldn't and if she did I would pay for it, the guy was like "ok sure". It helps if they are dog lovers ;) but you have to check each time because sometimes its super busy and they don't want to deal with some people complaining. Same goes for all the other places. I would always go with a fried so that I could concentrate on my dog..
 
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