Socialization? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BayAreaDesigner · 06-24-2009, 10:00 PM

I'm having a problem with this. Lily is 12 wks old now but hasn't completed her shots. I keep hearing now that she needs to be socialized by 16 wks. If she isn't supposed to touch the ground outside to walk around or be where other dogs are, how in the world is she to become socialized?? I thought I was supposed to wait till she finished her shots but now I hear she needs this training before she's 16 wks old or I have missed the window. Help!

Leigh22 · 06-24-2009, 11:08 PM

I know making sure she's well socialized with other dogs is your main concern, but for now, taking her around other dogs and where other dogs have been is just too scary. I don't think you're going to miss the window, that just might be when its easiest to do it. Think of re-homed/rescued adults that might have not come from the best situation, it takes time and patience but they get there eventually. Don't stress out yet.

Maybe you could start with introducing her to other situations first:looking out the car window or accompanying you into stores on everyday errands (in my area this isn't really aloud so I substituted fast food drive-thru windows-its a stretch but better than nothing). Just look for opportunities where she can be with you, and be out experiencing new things.

First, work on her manners. The most common is jumping up on people when they're excited to see them -well dogs can do this with other dogs too. Start teaching her its bad to jump on you, and later that can translate to "no jumping on other dogs". (BTW, our little boy was really bad about jumping in other dog's faces to give kisses.) Some other dogs will interpret jumping as aggressive/dominating, so your Lily might get hurt.

It sounds like you're itching to get her to a park and take her on puppy play dates. Work on leash training her, just around the house. Until she gets trained well, don't use a retractable leash (she can have her personal space when you guys are done with the lesson

).

Sounds like your doing well so far. There's plenty you can work on while waiting for her to be healthy enough to enjoy her social outings. So by the time you finally do get to play around other dogs, she'll be safer and a little more comfortable with the situation because you taught her some basics before "throwing" her into a new situation.

Hope this helps.

BayAreaDesigner · 06-25-2009, 12:03 AM

It does help. Thank you!

Britster · 06-25-2009, 06:01 AM

I think you sound like you're doing a great job.

Personally, though, I think they should definitely learn to be around SOME other dogs before the age of 16 weeks. NOT a dog park or a place like Petsmart, but maybe a friend's house who has a dog? I'm probably going against what everyone else will say in here, but I don't think it's fair at all to keep a dog cooped up until they've completed all their shots. Rabies sometimes isn't given until 5-6 months old with the little ones. I began socializing Jackson young. I got him at 9 weeks old where he was introduced to my dad's Jack Russell mix, Lily. Then we introduced him to my mom's dog, Carmen. That first day I brought him home he was so scared, etc UNTIL he saw the other dog! It made him sooo happy and right back at home with another dog in the house. Just be smart about where you take him. A dog park is not a good place, etc.
last shots...can i walk him the same day he gets it?
I posted my thoughts here.

YorkieMother · 06-29-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayAreaDesigner

I'm having a problem with this. Lily is 12 wks old now but hasn't completed her shots. I keep hearing now that she needs to be socialized by 16 wks. If she isn't supposed to touch the ground outside to walk around or be where other dogs are, how in the world is she to become socialized?? I thought I was supposed to wait till she finished her shots but now I hear she needs this training before she's 16 wks old or I have missed the window. Help!

Ok vets old timers say do not let them on the ground but if the area you are in is clean and the dogs you are with have thier shots and are safe. go for it.
Best place is a puppy class to start soical skills and most training centres keep themselves very clean for just the reason they need to soicalize puppies that do not have all thier shots.

as for training no not really just soical skills training can come at any time.

JL

BayAreaDesigner · 06-29-2009, 10:09 AM

Thanks. I'm starting her in puppy classes tonite. Can't wait. She is biting all the time and I need some help with that. I tried the squirting water and she was drenched and it didn't stop her. I put her in the expen for time out and when I take her back out she continues. It's making me not want to have her out cuz I'm always trying to get out of the line of her teeth. Sharp little things too. If I try to pick her up she bites. This really just started in the last couple of days. And, NO doesn't work LOL

allyboo · 06-29-2009, 08:20 PM

Good luck with your puppy class! It's a really great experience, both for the dogs and the owners. I took Milly to some extra classes after she passed her puppy award, just because she seemed to enjoy it that much!

I feel your pain about the biting

Absolutely nothing seemed to work for mine but persistence and discouragement does eventually pay off (or did she just "grow out of it"? I don't know, but it's a long haul to get them to stop nipping!)

kalina82 · 06-29-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

I think you sound like you're doing a great job.

Personally, though, I think they should definitely learn to be around SOME other dogs before the age of 16 weeks. NOT a dog park or a place like Petsmart, but maybe a friend's house who has a dog? I'm probably going against what everyone else will say in here, but I don't think it's fair at all to keep a dog cooped up until they've completed all their shots. Rabies sometimes isn't given until 5-6 months old with the little ones. I began socializing Jackson young. I got him at 9 weeks old where he was introduced to my dad's Jack Russell mix, Lily. Then we introduced him to my mom's dog, Carmen. That first day I brought him home he was so scared, etc UNTIL he saw the other dog! It made him sooo happy and right back at home with another dog in the house. Just be smart about where you take him. A dog park is not a good place, etc.
last shots...can i walk him the same day he gets it?
I posted my thoughts here.

i agree. i had morgan around other dogs that i knew before she completed her shots. I knew the other dogs were up to date with vaccines so there was nothing to worry about. Her best friend for the first few weeks i had her home was my best friends 80lb pit bull. Then once her distemper combos were done i started taking her to more public places. She didn't get her rabies until she was 6 months but there was no way i was going to keep her inside until then. she went everywhere with me and got to see other dogs, parks, malls, stores, people, etc. there is an extremely small chance that she was going to come in contact with a rabid animal so i didn't worry about her not having that.

Also she was trained to go potty outside so from the very first day home her little feet were all over the backyard. then after her distemper combos were done i started taking her for walks around the block.

puppy classes are great for socialization at that age too.

As for the biting, when she starts to bite your hands ball them up into a fist. this way she can't chew on any of your fingers. she can't get your fist into her mouth so the game quickly become boring. also when she nips let out a loud sharp yelp, like you were another puppy she was biting. puppies do this when their siblings bite. Its how they learn how hard they can play with each other. when the puppy being bit yelps the other puppy will let go. However since you are a human and not a puppy you want to make it seem like any pressure at all from their teeth is too much for you to handle. So at the first touch of the teeth ball up your hand and let out the yelp. hopefully that will get her to start. you can also "end the game" when she starts biting. when she starts to bite say "no bite". at the same time you can either stand up and walk away, or turn your back on her and ignore her. She'll learn that when she bites the game ends and no one wants to play with her.

good luck

06-24-2009, 10:00 PM	#1
BayAreaDesigner Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 46	Socialization? I'm having a problem with this. Lily is 12 wks old now but hasn't completed her shots. I keep hearing now that she needs to be socialized by 16 wks. If she isn't supposed to touch the ground outside to walk around or be where other dogs are, how in the world is she to become socialized?? I thought I was supposed to wait till she finished her shots but now I hear she needs this training before she's 16 wks old or I have missed the window. Help!

06-24-2009, 11:08 PM	#2
Leigh22 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sumter, SC Posts: 120	I know making sure she's well socialized with other dogs is your main concern, but for now, taking her around other dogs and where other dogs have been is just too scary. I don't think you're going to miss the window, that just might be when its easiest to do it. Think of re-homed/rescued adults that might have not come from the best situation, it takes time and patience but they get there eventually. Don't stress out yet. Maybe you could start with introducing her to other situations first:looking out the car window or accompanying you into stores on everyday errands (in my area this isn't really aloud so I substituted fast food drive-thru windows-its a stretch but better than nothing). Just look for opportunities where she can be with you, and be out experiencing new things. First, work on her manners. The most common is jumping up on people when they're excited to see them -well dogs can do this with other dogs too. Start teaching her its bad to jump on you, and later that can translate to "no jumping on other dogs". (BTW, our little boy was really bad about jumping in other dog's faces to give kisses.) Some other dogs will interpret jumping as aggressive/dominating, so your Lily might get hurt. It sounds like you're itching to get her to a park and take her on puppy play dates. Work on leash training her, just around the house. Until she gets trained well, don't use a retractable leash (she can have her personal space when you guys are done with the lesson). Sounds like your doing well so far. There's plenty you can work on while waiting for her to be healthy enough to enjoy her social outings. So by the time you finally do get to play around other dogs, she'll be safer and a little more comfortable with the situation because you taught her some basics before "throwing" her into a new situation. Hope this helps. __________________ "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."

06-25-2009, 06:01 AM	#4
Britster Owned by Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Annapolis, Maryland Posts: 3,880 Blog Entries: 1	I think you sound like you're doing a great job. Personally, though, I think they should definitely learn to be around SOME other dogs before the age of 16 weeks. NOT a dog park or a place like Petsmart, but maybe a friend's house who has a dog? I'm probably going against what everyone else will say in here, but I don't think it's fair at all to keep a dog cooped up until they've completed all their shots. Rabies sometimes isn't given until 5-6 months old with the little ones. I began socializing Jackson young. I got him at 9 weeks old where he was introduced to my dad's Jack Russell mix, Lily. Then we introduced him to my mom's dog, Carmen. That first day I brought him home he was so scared, etc UNTIL he saw the other dog! It made him sooo happy and right back at home with another dog in the house. Just be smart about where you take him. A dog park is not a good place, etc. last shots...can i walk him the same day he gets it? I posted my thoughts here. __________________ Brit & JACKSON Jackson's YouTube Channel

06-25-2009, 12:03 AM	#3
BayAreaDesigner Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 46	It does help. Thank you!

06-29-2009, 10:09 AM	#6
BayAreaDesigner Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 46	Thanks. I'm starting her in puppy classes tonite. Can't wait. She is biting all the time and I need some help with that. I tried the squirting water and she was drenched and it didn't stop her. I put her in the expen for time out and when I take her back out she continues. It's making me not want to have her out cuz I'm always trying to get out of the line of her teeth. Sharp little things too. If I try to pick her up she bites. This really just started in the last couple of days. And, NO doesn't work LOL

06-29-2009, 08:20 PM	#7
allyboo Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UK Posts: 37	Good luck with your puppy class! It's a really great experience, both for the dogs and the owners. I took Milly to some extra classes after she passed her puppy award, just because she seemed to enjoy it that much! I feel your pain about the biting Absolutely nothing seemed to work for mine but persistence and discouragement does eventually pay off (or did she just "grow out of it"? I don't know, but it's a long haul to get them to stop nipping!)