I know I can't take my puppy out before she's had all her vaccinations but were do I stand with her meeting my families dogs, are they allowed to come to see her out in our back garden etc just need to understand how it works as I havent had a puppy for 18 years as my last one lived to a great age of 15 and I feel so out of touch.

As long as you know your family's dogs are healthy and not incubating disease then it's fine for them to meet your pup - it's the same as introducing a pup to existing dogs in the new home. :-)

I've carried my girl out and about, in.the cooler weather of.last week. To meet and greet new.faces and we will be taking her round pets at home in the week.

I'm still not sure how to use this site so this may only go to one reply but I want to thank you both that's just what I needed to. I have a feeling a neighbours old dog hasn't kept up with vaccinations so am I right in keeping away till she's had all hers.

I will leave the answers to the neighbours dog to others. However the socialisation bit get yourself ababy sling that goes on across the body like an arm sling pop pup in there and take him/her everywhere you can to meet and greet and get exposure to sounds and sights and smells. Dont rush but do it gently and at pups pace if he/she appears worried back off a bit until pup is comfortable alos taketreats for peol eto give. Unfortunatel schools out but the park would be good fro meeting children of different ages. Hope I am not teaching you to suck eggs if so I appologise  .

>I have a feeling a neighbours old dog hasn't kept up with vaccinations so am I right in keeping away till she's had all hers.

Yes, you're right to be cautious. In elderly animals, just as in elderly people, the immune system becomes weaker and they become moresusceptible, not less, to picking up and passing on illnesses. An example is the way fit young dogs will usually shake off kennel cough with only mild transitory symptoms but puppies and elderly dogs can be very poorly indeed.

You certainly should be taking your puppy out, but not walking where other dogs may have been.  this still gives you lots of places to go being carried and people and sights and sounds to get accustomed to.

I'm so glad I ask this question cos you have all given me brilliant ideas.  I was a bit worried at the idea of carrying my puppy lots of places cos of her growing but that sling idea is perfect and will certainly save my back. Also I never thought about old dogs/people and immune systems but that makes sense.

Just because your neighbour's elderly dog doesn't have annual vaccinations doesn't mean it is harbouring any nasty illnesses. There are lots of owners who don't vaccinate their dogs every year for a variety of reasons. Many have done a great deal of research and don't want to risk over-vaccinating due to the problems it can cause.

A sling is indeed a brilliant idea and will really help your back :-)  If you have a large garden centre (pref with pet shop) in your area they are wonderful for puppy socialisation since they have lots of different people - all of whom are mainly interested in the plants so not too overwhelming for the pup!  Also, importantly for this summer - they often have a large indoor space to keep you dry :-)

You can also use a large messenger bag to carry pup, with a towel in it so it's snug.

Try:  Going to the pub.  And a pet shop.  Amongst other things!

I've managed to get a sling and it cost very little and we have a very big garden centre near by and I would never have thought of it so thanks.  I know what you mean about neighbours dog I just didn't want to take any chances, it's taken me long enough to save for this puppy and after seeing what my sister went through when a puppy caught distemper before she had jabs its just made me think. 

A visit to the car park of a large supermarket is also a good place to take a young puppy - they will see a whole range of different people of all ages and sizes, those with beards, glasses, hats, walking sticks etc and will meet a variety of vehicles going past relatively slowly.

I used to sit in the back of the car for a first visit and then at a quieter part of the car park gradually moving towards the busier and noisier front of the store.

You're very welcome Graciemay, it sounds like you are taking great care to ensure your puppy has a good start in life.  There are a lot of people on this forum with years of expertise and experience who will help you with any questions you have.  Remember, ask sooner rather than later - habits are more easily sorted that way (says she who is addicted to chocolate!)

You have all been so helpful thank you, just need my puppy now, I'm sooooo nervous :)
Can you all suggest any good toys for puppies there's so many out there and I know retrievers can get very bored so I would love to hear your advice

> Can you all suggest any good toys for puppies there's so many out there

Have a look around the house first.  One of the ones I remember the Guide Dogs for the Blind recommending was a plastic bottle with a few grains of uncooked rice in to give a nice satisfying rattle. May not last all that long but costs nothing and can be useful in the quest of providing different objects to keep puppy interested while you are trying to get a little housework done :)

As Stooge says, have a look around your house for suitable things.  Our pups have always loved knocking empty plastic milk bottles around.  I always remove the lid as its too easily swallowed :-)  Even now my 11 yr old goldie looks at them with longing as i put them out to be recycled!  I do highly recommend treating the pup to a couple of Kongs (probably one of the few toys i do buy).  I say a couple because I like to keep some stuffed with treats in a bag in the freezer - very soothing on sore puppy teeth and very useful when crate training.  I don't bother buying the puppy ones but go straight for the red for young pups and the black when a bit older.  Their need to chew carries on for quite a while!

Have never managed to gt my dogs interested in Kongs.  Stuffed boens yes, Hooves yes, btu nto lumps of Rubber.

They aren't that toy orientated, though I always do get a few tugs and balls etc.  As others have found they like children much prefer the box than the toy inside.

So empty plastic bottles, cardboard boxes to destroy etc. 

Faggots of fruit wood are enjoyed (we have had to cut down one plum and apple tree)

Yes chewing rubber seems very odd to me - especially since the older dogs seem to get a lot of pleasure from chewing Kongs with no treats in them.  Weird!

Maybe it's the rubber smell, but none of them have liked them, and as for Nylabones they seem to be designed to be shewed and eaten, at least that is what seems to happen to them according to people on a dog list I am on, certainly not something I would want to happen, even if it is inert???

Saying that I have bought some rope tugs for the puppies with plastic rings etc made from a clear coloured, not rubbery but not brittle clear plastic, and I can only assume Myka the Mum has eaten the plastic from one (I did see her chewing it, not the pups who just tugged. 

When she was younger I got some teething bones from the same material and she ate those!

An amusing side not, I bought some knobbly squeaky balls for the pups, they didn't make them squeak as not Strong enough jaws yet to around them, but I squeaked them to get pups attention, and Mum was most concerned about the squeaking and took them carefully away, and put them in her bed, almost like a bitch with a phantom might ;)

I'm finding all this so amusing as recently I looked after a friends dog and I gave him an empty plastic bottle with dried pasta in and it was amazing to watch him playing with it.  I used to childmind and I just thought mmmmm I wonder what he would think if - and that's more or less the first thing you are all saying they love to play with 😃how old do they have to be to have the deer antlers I've seen in pet shops and also are the toys u can get that you put in the freezer good, what do you all feel about treat balls