i have a small breed who are 5 weeks old on Saturday.

i have read about my responsiblity to socialising them and ensuring they receive as many experiences in the next few weeks before they go.

My concern is i may be wrapping them in cotton wool! it is still all heating, heat pads and keeping them out of drafts here. When should i take them into the garden, introduce them to other areas of the house, allow them to meet another vaccinated dog.

what else do you do to ensure well rounded pups and when?

I would let them in other areas of the house now, if we get a warmish sort of a day as we had yesterday then a while in the garden would be a great experience for them, I let my puppies meet my own dogs but I am a little more wary of other peoples dogs, saying that once they have had their first jab which my vet will do at 6 weeks for me because he knows I want to socialise them asap I hold them in my arms and stand by a busy road for a few mins just to let them hear and see the sights and sounds, with my breed the earlier they see the world the less they are worried by new things, the guide dog people get their pups out that early to get them used to the world and I think its a very good thing indeed, not everyone will agree but its the way I found works best for mine.

My puppies, a rather larger breed, are taking trips out into the garden from about 4 weeks.  Around about the same time the mother usually allows other household dogs to meet them. 
Friends are visiting from the earliest days but from about 4 weeks we have neighbours and their children calling in together with new owners coming to visit.

The new owners are all on their second visits which is nice.
Do they now regulate their temperatures ok? should i stop panicing about drafts and keeping the kitchen warm??? They still look so small!!!

Just keep the temp comfy as you like it now, the pups can keep warm so normal house temps are fine.

i dont use any heat lamps or pads at that age ,i still keep them out of drafts at night but i do have heating on like i would for myself .x

Is yours a small breed?

What do you all do to give them experiences etc etc

I play the sounds CD from 4 weeks onwards a couple of times a day, try to get as many people/kids to come and cuddle them as poss, take them for short car rides and get them out to hear and see the world asap.

Thanks Papillon, i took them to the office today as i do mum everyday (before the litter!). They have a play pen at work although were a huge distraction as my boy decided he preferred to wonder around teh office at speed, backwards as well as forwards!!!
i have invited lots of girl friends and kids over for a weekend next weekend and have lots of extended family who love to spend time with them.

Havent dared the garden yet.....my precious ones might get a chill x

I bet your boy was hilarious doing that lol, made a day at work much more interesting no doubt :-) 
Let them in the garden on a nicer day, just for a little while, once they get over the initial fear they will be belting around like lunatics and keeping very warm!

i have lots of family and friends round playing with pups and the new familys come as offten as they can ...as soon as mum is ok with other dogs playing/looking being around them ...i take them out in the car ive even carried them around with me :)....not all at the same time lol

small/med breed ...thin coats still at this age x

ok.....will take your word for it! i will try maybe at the weekend. I will get them out and about on the kitchen floor first without panicing now.....thought they were bound to die of cold on the tiles!!!! i know, ridiculous.

My husband says i wasnt this protective over my son????

They are using weewee pads like little treasures! i keep the bedding prestine clean and teh wee side a bit smelly and they really are getting it. I will try the garden now, at this rate i will have them house trained by the time they go.......now how is that fair on the new parents!!!

Cant get them to eat with any enthusaism though :0(

Your first litter, you are bound to worry, goes with the job lol, I think the forecast for this weekend is ok so if it is let them out, have a camera ready as its a special event their first time outside in the garden :-)

> They are using weewee pads like little treasures! i keep the bedding prestine clean and teh wee side a bit smelly and they really are getting it. I will try the garden now, at this rate i will have them house trained by the time they go.......now how is that fair on the new parents!!!
>
> Cant get them to eat with any enthusaism though :0(

If they get the idea of housetraining so early the new owners will be delighted! is your breed quite picky with food anyway? I hear Paps can be but mine seem to eat for England no probs lol.

> Havent dared the garden yet.....my precious ones might get a chill x

Mine is a toy breed, so I do understand the worry of pups getting cold.  My heat pads are used until day 21 minimum.  But central heating is on 24/7 anyway.  I do let them progress at their own pace, and find some will ignore the open back door when the rest of the gang goes out for a wee.  Once they get curious, they work out for themselves how to get down the step.  I never force the issue - and it's what works for me.  I admit time of year can make a difference, but at the moment, when it's not that great, and my garden is like a dirt track from the Collies, I have 2 tiny tots of 9 weeks that won't come in out of the mud and mess.  Yet they still sleep quite happily in a heated room at night.