Puppy Socialization
 

I am finding that one of the biggest challenges in raising yorkies is the socialization aspect. It can be very challenging when keeping puppies until they are 12 weeks or older. I have seen several breeder/exhibitor post about how well socialized they dogs are so I am seeking advise from those that have experience.

I hear so much conflicting advice on how to raise a puppy that is properly socialized. All the pups I have sold in the past the people were very happy with them and the pups adjusted very well but I am wondering if there are things I should be doing different when trying to raise a pup for the show ring.

So here are a few questions I have:

Say you have a litter of 4 or 5 pups, how long do you leave the pups together as a group. At what age do you separate them or do you leave them all together.

At what age do you let them 'run' with the older dogs?

Do you let mom have all the time she wants with them? What if mom really does not like playing with them that much or she gets too rough, what then?

What do you do if you have one pup that is say 4 months old and that pup is being to dominate over the others or what if you have a pup that is being 'picked' on and acts shy?

At what age do you start vaccinations and what age do you take them outside or on car rides?

At what age do you start the actual lead training?

I think raising a pup is like raising a child, sometimes what works for one might not work for another so I am guessing the pups personality has a lot to do with how they turn out. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

COLOR="Red"]I've never seperated my pups. Clients always tell me how well socialized they are.[/COLOR]

At what age do you let them 'run' with the older dogs?

Never let them run with the older dogs, especially males as males. I don't want their confidence hindered. I bring them out into the living area in a confined area at 8 weeks of age. Let them get use to the activity, then about 9 weeks of age I will put another female in with them and monitor closely.

Do you let mom have all the time she wants with them? What if mom really does not like playing with them that much or she gets too rough, what then?

I let my moms stay with them for as long as they want. At times she may get rough with puppies (monitor the activity) but, as long as it's disiplining I leave it alone.....she's teaching them their place in the pack.

What do you do if you have one pup that is say 4 months old and that pup is being to dominate over the others or what if you have a pup that is being 'picked' on and acts shy?

You will always have a pup that is more dominate. I usually do temperament tests.

At what age do you start vaccinations and what age do you take them outside or on car rides?

Follow Dr Dodd's vaccination protocol. Their first car trip is to the vet. I do not take them out otherwise.

At what age do you start the actual lead training?

At 16 weeks and then it's playing

Mary, thanks for you input. Can you explain the temperament test? Does this help you determine if a pup will make a good show prospect? Is it pretty accurate?

I have been told by some breeders that the pups need to be separated from one another so they each will gain confidence, do you advise this and if so, at what age would you keep pup separated from the others?

I know when you are growing coat it can be challenging if you leave them together and this is one of my weakness because I always let my older pups run with other dogs and they can mess up a topknot.

Let me gather the information on temperament tests for you. It helps on determining what homes would be best for them. I myself watch a litter first for the most outgoing one...the one that that has no fear, not afraid of the devil. Then I start monitoring for conformation.

I know that some breeders seperate for confidence, I don't.....It's feeling that they either have it or they don't. The other side of the coin I've found is that if they are seperated, then you have the problem of introducing them to other dogs, which is crucial for them to show in the ring.

When I've determined that they are of show quality, I begin cultivating the coat and put them in seperate x-pens, but when they go outside for play they run together.....it's a balancing act. I begin wrapping coats and topknots at an early age, it does help with coat growth....wrapping jackets are a great help too.

one test

ATTS - American Temperament Test Society, Inc. - TT Test Description

Dog Tip: Assessing Shelter Dogs and Temperament Testing

Thank you so much. That second site is very helpful. What is your opinion on what makes a great show dog..... a social dog, a dominant dog or a independent dog or could any of those personalities work in the show ring if trained properly. I know a shy dog with tail down won't work. Have you ever had a shy pup that overcame the shyness and did well as an adult in the show ring?

Show dogs are born, however you have to cultivate it to bring it out. I watch for that outgoing dog. Of course you are socializing from the get go....

No, I've never worked with a shy pup.....I've worked with some I've had trouble to lead train. Tail dropping does not always indicate shyness....it can be overcome.

I've had pups that change rolls; One that I thought wasn't the one would emerge to be the one.

We all have a pup that has wonderful conformation, but, you don't want to have to drag it around the ring. They've got to have the total package.

Both are great sites.....the first one has forms for you to download.

I will check out the first site a little more. I has just read on the first page that their test was for dogs 18 months or older. I am sure it has great information.

There are other tests that are available....but, then there is such a thing as you can over test. Eventually you'll know what you're looking for.

I know from having attended shows on and off for the last few years I have observed some pups grow up in the show ring. I imagine there is a little difference in a puppy being shy and one that is just scared from all the newness of first being shown.:) Have you encountered pups that are outgoing and confident at home but just won't show no matter what?

In judging conformation on a pup, at was age do you say a pup just does not have the right conformation. For example, can a 12 week old pup toe out some and still have a correct front as an adult? Or in judging the rear movement, as what age do you just know the proper movement is not there? There is just so much more to this than people realize.

Movement is there if you have proper structure.

I usually start showing a pup at 6 months for training purposes. You can pretty much tell by then, but there is a possibility that conformation wise they can fall apart.

Funny thing you mention toeing out.....this is being discussed with the possibility of Yorkies being allowed in AKC earth dogs events.

I am still trying to learn about proper structure. Since there is no perfect dog I think it is just learning what faults you can live with and which ones are totally unacceptable. Myself I can forgive a little sloppy movement but I can't stand a really bad topline. I just have not shown enough to know what the judges look for the most. I know they are all different in their preferences.

What are earth dogs events? What does that have to do with toeing out?:confused:

I have some pups now that are 10 weeks old, 4 females. I just keep studying and studying them. Two of them I like really well, the third I am not sure about and the 4th is out, she is much larger than the other three. I will take pictures at 12 weeks and go from there. I would love to have a nice pup to show. I still have my other girl that is almost 11 months but I am still undecided about show her. I don't have the funds to show right now anyway so I am just growing coat on her and my male.

Topline and good movement go hand in hand.

Do you have a mentor, one that has been showing and breeding quality yorkies for a number of years? That is your best place to learn. Going to shows is a start, but having a mentor is the best. You can take them to all the conformation classes you want the real test is the ring.

My mentor strongly suggests to get them out in the ring at 6 months....that alone will determine whether they have what it takes. Most of her dogs are Championed by 18 months of age.

Here's my take on judges, and it's my opinion only. It's a crap shoot. You can take a judge a dog on any given day, it depends on what's in the ring with you. It can be put up by a judge one day. Take the same dog to the same judge, with a different set of dogs and your dog can be put down by the same judge. Different set of dogs, different qualities.

I've seen several keep a dog out until they are in coat and the dogs hate the ring.

No, I don't have an actual mentor. I do call and talk to some show breeders every now and then. There are not any knowledgeable show breeders in my area but there are some several hours away. There are several show breeders in the Houston area that have been very helpful when I am at shows. I feel like I am slowly learning. It just takes time. At this stage I don't know how much I will be able to get involved in showing but I do hope one day I can start going to a lot more shows or consider a handler if I get something that show worthy.