socialization of pups

**mike001** · 08-30-2007, 09:03 AM

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** · 09-06-2007, 08:58 AM

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** · 09-06-2007, 09:37 AM

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** · 09-06-2007, 03:50 PM

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** · 09-07-2007, 01:42 PM

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.

**Romance** · 09-07-2007, 06:11 PM

They don't leave my yard until 6 wks. and i don't let people in to see them until 4 wks. but between 4 and 6 weeks they get several children and adults visiting about 3 days a week. after 6 weeks is when we start going to parks, baseball games etc. and they start showing in puppy matches at 12 weeks.

**mike001** · 09-07-2007, 07:17 PM

Puppy matches at 12 weeks would be so cute to watch. I watch a lot of kindergarten classes for pups and it's just too hilarious to see some of those pups and the way they interact. Sure wish I was in the market for a pup.

**Catlady711** · 09-07-2007, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

You are doing a good thing, and Parvo is someting to be afraid of! Puppies do not have proper immunity against it until a couple weeks after they finish the full series of 'puppy shots'.