socialization of pups

[Karen]

Oh, and socialize with other non-sibling dogs, too, and maybe with cats if possible!

[Romance]

those are another good 2. i have 2 cats here and i often forget that others might not have cats. i know i take my cats for granted sometimes. For other dog interactions, i take them to outdoor shows, and start showing them in puppy matches at 3 months. this does 2 things gets them used to the ring and gives them other dog/puppy interactions.

.....for pups that nip while playing I tell children to tell pup in a firm voice "NO BITE!" and then ignore that pup and play with another one. What I do as an adult is hold their mouth closed firmly and say no bite. i hold the mouth closed until they submit.

[mike001]

What a list.....am I glad I don't have to raise pups. And I thought children were tough, he he.
How in the world do you manage all this and still not topple over from fartigue, send me that secret recipe.
You remind me of a breeder out here, that's what she does with the pups she breeds and what a nice bunch when they get to their new homes. I guess all that hard work pays off. I never forgot our first Golden, raised in basement kennels, never setting a foot outdoors...we had to give it up, it just wasn't able to adapt, so we took our vet's advice before getting into trouble and did what he said was best for the poor dog.
Keep up the good work.

[venus74]

I have an Akita that I got as a rescue at appx. 3 months old. Being a questionable breed as it is, and not knowing the parents, we were very diligent about socializing her. We have kids, so we took her to every soccer and baseball game and practice. Of course the kids all mobbed us! We brought small treats that we gave to the kids to give her. Now she loves kids!

Akitas are also known to be dog-aggressive. We took her to the dog park as soon as we were able (shots completed). We try to go a couple times a month. She is now 2 1/2 and we have never had a problem with her and other dogs.

She has also been to several obedience classes where she is exposed to dogs and people. She will still bark at most men, but after a few minutes she will come to sniff them and then she's their best friend.

I am a HUGE advocate for early socialization for any breed, but especially for those with a bad reputation. Socialization goes a long way in improving the image of some breeds.

[Romance]

It's to bad that more Akita owners don't socialize like you do. Socialization is the key and so many people just don't understand that. I have seen absolutely gorgeous dogs put down because of not being properly trained and socialized. not the dog's fault its the people's fault, but they refuse to take responsibility for it. and in the end it's the dog who pays for it...it's sad.
Next weekend we rented booth space at the local fair. not to sell anything...just so i can park myself and the pups some where and have the pups exposed to more sounds, smells and people....it will be an exhausting weekend but well worth it for the pups in the end.

[venus74]

I know what you're saying. It would have been so much easier to NOT bring Venus to all the kids sporting events, but in the long run it has definetely paid off.

I love to see peoples' reaction at the dog park when they find out Venus is an Akita (everyone thinks she's a Husky). All that most people have heard about the breed is negative, so I love to change their views (at least a little)!!

[RedyreRotties]

What age do you start taking puppies out, Romance?

I have had quite a few visitors here to the house where I can sanitize shoes, and have hands washed before they come in, but I'm TERRIFIED of Parvo Virus. I am just too scared to take them out before they are vaccinated.