Hi, we have an 8.5 week old staffie pup and are really keen to start socialising him as early as possible as I think I've read somewhere the best time is between 8 and 14 weeks. I contacted a local trainer who runs obedience / socialisation classes. He seems to think that we should be OK taking our pup as, having had his 1st jab, he will have some immunity and although he would never be able to guarantee it, he would be confident that all dogs attending would be fully vaccinated.

I went down to the class tonight (left Paddy at home as he was asleep!) to see how things were run. Basically it appears to be training classes for older dogs (zigzagging your dog through other dogs whilst keeping their attention etc) and people with younger dogs such as myself sitting on the sidelines spectating. Anybody I did see with a young pup had them on their knees at all times and probably just letting them get accustomed to the noise.

As we're new to the staffie world do people think this is OK or would we be better to wait until after his second jab? We desperately want to do the best thing for Paddy to enable him not to be dog aggresive.

I would attend the lessons and let anyone who wanted to hold the puppy or stroke him ,sit with him on your knee and watch but I wouldnt take part in any lessons until he has had all his injections.Carry him to the shops sit on a bench so that he gets used to traffic noise  and people ,take a walk around the park carrying him trees, birds, children everything is new and the sooner he sees all these things in the comfort of your arms the easier it will be when he can take his first walk out.
You say the trainer said it will be OK to take the pup I presume he means to spectate as this is what I did with my pup before training what you say about weaving around each other with the dog is a normal routine in the classes I attend teaching the dog to ignore other dogs and focus on you.Basic puppy classes are mainly for socialisation sit , down,  stand , recall and lead/heelwork.

Hope this helps a little.

Roni

Hi Roni - you having a late night too ?

I must have been typing away while you were posting <LOL>  I'm getting so broody with all these new babies - but methinks best I train the resident puppy first !

Teri :P

Hi Russ, what a sensible attitude to get socialising him off to a good start immediately :)  The only reservations I would have re the training class just yet is I'd expect one permitting young puppies after only their first jab to *guarantee* all older dogs were up to date with vacs through - just my own slight concern, others may advise differently.
That aside, get him out and about everywhere a.s.a.p. - carry him in areas other dogs are exercised but let him walk for short spells in pedestrian precincts in town, have him outside busy shopping centres, DIY stores, garden centres, local markets (everyone loves tiny pups so lots of people desperate for a cuddle ;) )  If you have a nice broad road nearby that's fairly busy take him to sit in a bus shelter for eg - getting him used to traffic sight/sounds and all the commuters will say hello too!  Invite friends, family & neighbours with friendly dogs you know to be vaccinated to meet him in your garden.  These are pretty much standard tips for all new pups - I'm not in your breed - but many on the board are and should be along soon.
HTH meantime, very best wishes Teri :)  

I suppose it is possible they ask to see the vaccination documents, Teri, although I must admit I don't remember ever showing it at the classes I have attended, but it might be their policy if they have decided to run socialisation opportunities in this way.  Certainly I would query that point with the organisers.

Our trainer asks everyone who attends her classes to produce their vacination cards before class starts.
Mary

My old trainer asked for my vacination certificate and not the dogs. lol.

FWIW I take all my dogs out before they get jabbed.  At the mo I have an 11 week old GSD dog puppy.  I got him at 7 weeks and 2 days and he was on the floor immediately, played with other dogs, people etc etc before I had his first jab at 9 weeks and he has this week had his second jab.

More dogs die from behavioural problems due to inadequate socialisation than from preventable diseases.

However in the final analysis it is down to the individual owner to do a risk analysis based on their particular environment and their dog.

The window of socialisation closes at 16 - 18 weeks maximum, therefore to restrict dogs to the home for so long during such a crucial period is to my mind a no brainer.

I will be taking Douglas out with myself wherever I go. Mainly the pub.lol

couldn't agree more.  I did exactly the same with my pups!!!

We used to take our Staff out everywhere when she was little but before she had her vaccs we didnt let her near other dogs or on the ground. We took her in the car every weekend, around the garden centre to the shops,anywhere we could carry her. Now she doesnt seem scared of any situation.  Our puppy socialisation classes wouldnt allow her until she had had both her vaccs though

Take him everywhere you can I would, now is ideal time of the year garden centres normally allow dogs and a Staffie puppy is so "attractice to people he will be stroked by everyone and everyone.
Also carry him down high streets (not main towns but your towns) and take him shopping not main shop days but quiet days wait outside the supermarket while OH does shopping surprised how many stop. Take him past schools at playtimes to get used to hearing children and if you have children walk them to and from school.
Also this time of year Agricutural shows will be in abundance soon take him there all the farm animals as well as people etc etc.
  
Carry him in your arms when tiny then walk him, take him in cars, on buses only a couple of stops, on trains (surprised how many people talk to you with a pup on trains)
Ask your vet for puppy classes and if you don't know anyone with a dog advertise in the vets for someone to walk with - go on ask. Your pups only little once.

Football matches (kids/Sunday matches not proffesional matches) are good for getting them used to noise/children/people.

Where abouts do you live? if in B'ham PM and I;ll walk with you I have two Staff bitches Sal 2&1/2 and Tess the pup 9 months.

Karen   

Hi all, thanks for your replies and sorry I haven't responded sooner.

Roni, the trainer did say to bring Paddy along just to spectate initially whilst he was so young and we could progress from there when we felt he was ready.

Teri, I'll find out this week about the other dogs being vaccinated.

Kazz, thanks for the walking offer. We're on the coast just outside Blackpool.

We have had him a week now and he has been all over (never yet touched the ground past our gates though!). We carry him round to school with the kids, take him out in the car for short journeys etc. and nothing seems to faze him, he's been so good. The thing we want is to get him used to being with other dogs (or at least be able to walk past another without a fuss). We know nothing is guaranteed with a staffie on this and, if he is one of those dogs who doesn't tolerate others then we will have to take appropriate precautions but we would just like to give him a helping hand. My wifes mum has a 16 week old Jack Russell who she brings for short visits when possible. With both being pups they play for a while but, with the JRT being a typical boisterous JRT, Paddy eventually deems he's had enough of this thing keep jumping over him :-) and gets a bit narked. That's why I'd like to get him used to being around others as they're not going to have direct contact initially. I don't know if I'm making sense now, please tell me if I'm not :-)

You are making perfect sense and I think you are being very sensible thats not meant to be patronizing honestly I can see your concern over other dogs.
About the J.russell 16 weeks is a big difference to 8 & 1/2 weeks don't worry they will be fine playing together soon.
Walk in the park - and see other dogs let him meet them nose them play - honestly all Staffs give you the heart in the mouth feeling when they fist run off to play but he will come back because he'll always love you more.

Try a long lead when you go out not extending a training lead as long as you can get and then he can have freedom to meet other dogs but at the same time you still have control.  

Have sent you a pm
Karen  

Thanks Karen, we'll take him for a carry :-) up the prom over the weekend. There's plenty of people out walking their dogs so he should get plenty of chance to meet them. I was thinking of joining either the MB & C or NWSBT clubs. I've spoke to members of both in the search for our little man and all were very helpful.

Russ

hi russ. our staffy bich is 24 weeks old now . my wife started taking her to dog training a week after her 2nd injection. this is a good way of socilising and also the training. our staffy was a pain on a collar and lead she choked most of the time. we then tried a half check, yes you guest it she pulled again. my wife dettermind not to give up bought a halti. spot on, no pulling and a joy to train. she started in puppy beginers training. now she has moved up to improvers,and doing really well. she still pulls on the collar and harness. but is fine on the halti. the only trouble with our girl at the moment is her recall is crap. but with the training we should get there. hope this helps all the best steve

I live near Blackpool too !! I have sent you a pm .

Thats nice sarstaff.

Hi Sarstaff, PM'd you back LOL

Thanks Steve. We're just introducing Paddy to his collar. We give him 10 minute spells here and there and he goes absolutely mental although he's not as bad since I took his name tag off it, must have been able to sense something dangling off it.

Good luck with your training.

Russ