Best way to safely socialise pups Questions

Discussion in 'Border Collie' started by ZeldaZulu, Dec 10, 2018.

  1. ZeldaZulu

    ZeldaZulu New Member

    Likes Received:
    2
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Ginny

    Best way to safely socialise pups

    Hello!

    We have 5 beautiful Border Collie pups and they are about 2 1/2 weeks old. Now at some point, we'll need to socialise them a bit with an increasing schedule as they get older. I've read that it's good to have them used to household noises, and movements, and such and this is the easier part for me.

    The part in question is socialising them with other creatures. We're in no shortage of 'other creatures' for them to socialise with as we've got chickens, goats, cats, and other menagerie of animals! We can also take them to places to get them dealing with different people, locations, smells and acclimatising to new social situations. I have plenty of opportunities to socialise them.

    Here's the sticking point I am uncertain about - how do you do it safely? They have had their first worming already. They'll need their 2nd dose in a couple of weeks - all good! But they aren't vaccinated as they are clearly too young to be vaccinated against all the various deadly diseases that other animals, or people with animals, may carry but their animals have vaccinations to help them not fall ill to them, which the pups will not have and as mum's milk is weaned further, they will lose her immunities from her milk, as they begin and further on depend on sustenance of their own. So without borrowing from mum, too young to vaccinate - how do you introduce them to other creatures and people, which is essential to their well-being as a well socialise dog who isn't afraid of new things, without putting them in harms way?

    Many thanks for any sharing of years of experience and knowledge! : )
  2. Registered users won't see this advert. Sign up for free!

  3. Chris B

    Chris B Member

    Likes Received:
    1,645
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Chris
    At such a young age, I would go with them seeing the other animals. They don't have to rough and tumble with them to habituate to them so carry the pups and let them see the animals reasonably close but without contact. Obviously, ensure as much as possible that the other animals are disease free.

    As socialisation is such an important part of development into calm and friendly adulthood, I'd bring people in to meet and greet with them. There also shouldn't be a problem in bringing them into contact with healthy, fully vaccinated dogs/cats. This can, of course, be done within the home.
  4. ZeldaZulu

    ZeldaZulu New Member

    Likes Received:
    2
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Ginny
    Thanks Chris. I wouldn't begin the schedule straight away as they are too young still and only just opened their eyes so the world right now is fairly new and exciting anyway. But in the coming weeks, I thought I should get together a basic schedule of ways to socialise them for their hopefully happy doggy adulthood of exploration and enjoyment of it!

    Of course I'd never want to threaten their health to do it, but at the same time recognise that this is an important part of their development - so want to strike the right balance and do the precautions necessary.

    But it will be so much fun to watch them realise and interact with the world - it will be so nice for them and exciting to have a world opening up before them and watching their little faces as they discover it! : ) Sorry...we're a bit in love with them!
  5. CaroleC

    CaroleC Member

    Likes Received:
    4,988
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Carole
    Chris B likes this.
    Safely crated, being driven in a vehicle can be a good way of exposing puppies to a variety of different sights and sounds without ever having to step onto ground which might carry a risk to health. Just keep it low profile or you will be mobbed by kids!
  6. ZeldaZulu

    ZeldaZulu New Member

    Likes Received:
    2
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Ginny
    Chris B likes this.
    We've taken them out in a carrier a little bit. So basically as we took another pet to the vet, we brought them with us to keep an eye on them etc. Oh my god were we ever mobbed! We left them with the front desk people, and when we came out from our appointment 5 minutes later there were (no customers were there) 10 staff members were all looking in at them! They loved them and eventually, held them a bit. They were surprised at the solid little blocks they are for 3 weeks! They are little chunk monsters. And we've got prospective buyers just from that and seeing mum and how great she is! So kids are the least of our worries - adults are mobbing us for these gorgeous little blocks of cuteness!
  7. ZeldaZulu

    ZeldaZulu New Member

    Likes Received:
    2
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Ginny
    Another question - obviously when the pups are young, they cannot regulate temperature and therefore you keep them in a warm location. But at some point, I'd like to be able to take them outside to experience sights, smells, sounds, etc. With many puppy litters, they're born in spring or better yet summer. Our little girl only goes into season once a year and it is in September which means the litter has to be born and grow up in Winter : (

    But despite that unfortunate timing, I'd imagine that going out to the garden for various stimuli would be good but when are they safe with being able to deal with bitter cold?
  8. Chris B

    Chris B Member

    Likes Received:
    1,645
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Chris
    outside the confines of the garden, you will be carrying them anyway and a snug, warm blanket to wrap them in combined with your body heat should keep them nice and toasty.

    The garden obviously offers sights, sounds and feel that they aren't used to so excellent for their introduction to the big wide world when the wind and cold can be a little more sheltered and you can limit the time outside to what you think they can safely cope with
  9. ZeldaZulu

    ZeldaZulu New Member

    Likes Received:
    2
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Ginny
    is there a good age - or better to ask, when are they too young to be introduced to the cold?
  10. ZeldaZulu

    ZeldaZulu New Member

    Likes Received:
    2
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Ginny
    We got ourselves a pet pram! : )

    So took the pups and mum out - all safe and sound in their little pram! It was the cutest thing to see their little faces looking out the front and back! They were getting to observe the world and all it's noises and sounds and smells while staying safe & snug with each other in their little bed!
  11. Chris B

    Chris B Member

    Likes Received:
    1,645
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Chris
    ZeldaZulu likes this.
    Brilliant idea. The prams are useful for a whole host of things from very young pups to the veterans who struggle to get around. They allow visual stimulation and, of course, people do like to pet dogs - especially pups :)
  12. ZeldaZulu

    ZeldaZulu New Member

    Likes Received:
    2
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Ginny
    They are all tuckered out from their exciting day! The little darlings...
  13. Ryan Olivas

    Ryan Olivas New Member

    Likes Received:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Name:
    Ryan Olivas
    ZeldaZulu likes this.
    Great idea on getting a pram
  14. ZeldaZulu

    ZeldaZulu New Member

    Likes Received:
    2
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Ginny
    Thanks! It was luck really - I happen to be looking at 2nd hand play pens, and that came up! I would have never thought of it myself but it is a lifesaver, even if you feel slightly silly with it! o_O
  15. ZeldaZulu

    ZeldaZulu New Member

    Likes Received:
    2
    Gender:
    Female
    Name:
    Ginny
    Not sure if I should just start a new thread but...

    Potty training 2 questions:

    1. How young can they realistically begin potty training? At the moment with their metabolism it's in and 2 minutes later, out again. They do have some sense a bit that where they sleep they don't want to do it but apart from that - it's rather a little hit and miss. If I take them in a room to play and get their energy out a bit, we put down a pad and they will sometimes go to it and wee but not all the time, and sometimes their head is on it, but bottom isn't - so maybe in their logic they think they are on it. But telling them 'no' and 'good puppy' I am not sure if they - at 4 weeks know words enough to get what's bad or good yet. They're still finding their limits with each other with fighting and knowing when they hurt each other too much.

    2. How the heck do you get puppy pads to work properly???? I put them down but the little ones think they are a bit fun. So in their pen, they often ruck them up or pull them like they are toys. Even in the room when we let them get their energy out a bit and play, with a puppy pad, they often try to drag it like a toy. We do provide toys and they will play a bit with them - so it's not for lack of other fun things like toys, other puppies and us. But they're constantly being folded over, rucked up into a sodden pile before long!

Share This Page