Taking out and socialising and German Shepherd puppy

C

charlf0

New User
Joined
30 March 2017
Messages
8
Visit site
i got my puppy on Friday. she is 10 weeks old. she has had her first vaccination and is due her next in a few days. my other dog isn't very friendly with her and keeps growling at her. I don't want this to be the only dog behaviour she is seeing as that will teach her that it is ok. I don't know anyone else with a friendly dog really. would she be safe at the farm? I would like to take her there as there are 2 friendly dogs there and I would also like to walk her in the field. would she be safe? I just don't want to make the mistake of not socialising her and getting her out enough like I did with my other dog as now she isn't good with other dogs or walking on the lead. any advice welcome! also any name ideas as it has been 4 days and she hasn't got a name!
 
Congrats on your new pup.

In terms of safety people have different views on when to take them out so shall let others advise.
Socialising doesn't mean a big free for all with other dogs.
It should be controlled exposure to lots of different environmental experiences.
GSDs can remember early experiences for a long time and can be gobby and reactive themselves. So best not to let that happen. Socialisation is important but a lot of a dogs reaction to external stimuli can also be genetic, so just because a pup is 'perfect' at 9 months doesn't mean you don't continue to put the work in at 12, 18 and 24 months when natural behaviours kick in.

And try to give your older dog a bit of downtime and equally not let her bully the pup. It may be that they are never bosom buddies and it will have to be managed rather than forcing them to be together and a potential accident occurring. Especially if they are both female.
 
I was going to post almost the same question. Luna is 13 weeks now, and allowed out for the first time yesterday.

We are a bit luckier as she gets on well with our older dog and so far is like his little shadow.
 
Congratulations on your new arrival :) Any pics?

With my shepherds, rather than introduce them to new dogs, people, situations etc head on, I get them hooked on a toy from an early age and then do lots of fun play and short bursts of training in and around all the things I want to habituate the pup too. They kind of get used to things in the periphery over time and seem to accept things without stress much more quickly this way.

If you can find a good puppy class (where all the pups are similar age/size and training is all rewards based) then it is worth going along with your pup so they can socialise and learn in a controlled environment.
 
Echo what others have said, you don't need to allow her to greet *every* dog we made this mistake and now at 2 she's just get over the OMG A DOG! Attitude. Introduce her to some sensible older dogs ( if you can) who will explain doggy manners in a puppy friendly way, so that she doesn't grow up to think jumping all over dogs is ok! Puppy socialisation is good, but you need to be careful about letting them play rough, it'll make the bully's worse and the nervous types more nervous!
Don't forget strangers! Literally need her to see all types of strangers, men women, foreigners, bikers, people with wheelchairs/ walking sticks, hats, coats etc. And let her see them in a positive way, treats from you! They also have a second fear stage around 18 months old, so be prepared to feel like all your work has gone out the window! We had to start from scratch with strangers!
Be prepared for a long haul! At 2 I'm only just starting to feel like I have a well rounded calm obedient dog ( except for cats ��)


ETA: don't allow random strangers (esp kids) to run up to her all. " Awwww!!! A PUPPYYY!!!!" It can cause fear, if someone wants to pet her, let her decide if she is ok with them petting her. This will make her more confident that you won't let people touch her if she doesn't want to! GSD can be quite sensitive little souls! If she feels cornered or pressured because of someone she might lash out.
 
Last edited:
Good advice AS. Mine was about five lol. And he still has his moments ;)

Edited to respond to your edit....PUPYYYY people can also make a dog obsessed with everyone apart from you. Your dog can be social but you're her best mate, not everyone she meets.

I'm regarded as a bit of a grouch as if a young dog in training leaves it's owner and runs up to me I completely ignore it and discourage others from fussing it...but they're really not helping the owner.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the advice, I'll definitely take it all on board! I just want to make sure i do good job with her. How safe is it to take her on a farm? There Just horses on there but I think it would be good as there is a friendly dog that she could hang around. No other dogs go there so would the risk of parvo be low?
 
Sorry for butting in charlf0.

Thanks for the advice. We have got puppy classes booked. My question mainly arose from our walk this morning. An adult husky was walking in the opposite direction, on other side of the road. Luna showed an interest (first new dog we've met), so let her stand and have a look. Aled was oblivious with his head in a bush. She had a chatter across the road, but not in an aggressive way, and it got me wondering about her meeting dogs out and about. Should we just ask if we can say hello? It's such a long time since we've had a pup, and Aled came to us an adult.
 
We have 2 Rottweilers, who also have a reputation for being fear aggressive, so we made sure that we took them out and about as soon as the vet said we could. Prior to that they had spent time with an elderly Labrador bitch, (Dad's)who was brilliant with them and but didn't let them climb all over her.
As soon as they were allowed out in public, we took them to Bramham, where lots of people asked to stroke them - quite a lot asked what they were(!) - they soon got accustomed to walking past dogs, who were also on their leads. They have grown up into confident, friendly dogs who thoroughly enjoy a day out, especially if lunch is included, lol!
 
Just a word of warning. A 10 week old GSD pup does not do 'hanging around' but will probably instead try to eat, drink, chew and engage with the most dangerous thing possible.

Personally I don't let dogs stand and eyeball other dogs (seen too many Mexican stand-off type confrontations) but rather try to engage mine and keep moving briskly along. Especially is busy areas or where there is traffic. Like Aled mine prefers to stick his head in a bush to avoid any sort of interaction lol. This is of course with the caveat that I am a grouch and prefer my dog neutral :p
 
CorvusCorax said:
Just a word of warning. A 10 week old GSD pup does not do 'hanging around' but will probably instead try to eat, drink, chew and engage with the most dangerous thing possible.

Personally I don't let dogs stand and eyeball other dogs (seen too many Mexican stand-off type confrontations) but rather try to engage mine and keep moving briskly along. Especially is busy areas or where there is traffic. Like Aled mine prefers to stick his head in a bush to avoid any sort of interaction lol. This is of course with the caveat that I am a grouch and prefer my dog neutral :p
Click to expand...

Absolutely, I would no more allow my dog to sniff noses (or anywhere else) with a strange dog than I would allow my horse t sniff noses with another horse on a hack.
 
charlf0 said:
Thanks for all the advice, I'll definitely take it all on board! I just want to make sure i do good job with her. How safe is it to take her on a farm? There Just horses on there but I think it would be good as there is a friendly dog that she could hang around. No other dogs go there so would the risk of parvo be low?
Click to expand...

It is likely you will get a whole host of different answers to that question. You have to weigh up the risks in your own area. I personally think the benefits of early socialisation outweigh the risks - but only in circumstances where there are not large numbers of unvaccinated dogs. Hopefully the breeder will have chosen a dam of excellent temperament who was unstressed throughout pregnancy and will have already started the process of getting the litter used to various things at home? Is there a reason you collected your pup at 10 weeks rather than 8? It isn't an issue though if the pup has strong nerve and genetics from her parents and the breeder has taken some time to get the pups used to household noises, travelling etc.

GSDs have a reputation for fear aggression, especially towards other dogs, and so I like to get my pups out asap - carrying in my arms if necessary. If you have friends with friendly dogs then you can also introduce your pup to them, but always make sure she isn't getting stressed or upset and remove her from any situation where you are concerned it might be too much for her. Try to keep all interactions as positive as possible (but a strong nerved pup should also bounce back from any small knock backs during socialisation).

One of the key things is to enjoy your pup and try not to get stressed yourself :)
 
We did just as working GSD suggested with our mal between first and second jabs and carried her in our arms out and about meeting people. I'll never forget the time that my OH brought her to the garden centre I worked at and lots of people wanted to let her, unfortunately for my OH she was a dog that got very excited by being petted and peed each time someone new stroked her so he got soaked all down his front ��
 
Follow your vets advice - they know best. Also- don't panic! Everyone panics when they get a new pup that it won't be well socialised unless it gets out super early -it will be fine - give it time to get used to you and the house and learn about that then go outside once disease is less of a risk ie after second vacc
 
It's difficult when the resident dog isn't convinced. My resident dog GSD x Rottie is "OK" with other dogs and REALLY GREAT with puppies, so we thought we'd get a puppy to make introductions easier. Turns out she's REALLY GREAT with puppies as long as the puppy leaves her alone when she's had enough and if it doesn't then she gets REALLY ANGRY. So we've had months of baby gates and separate living to make sure the older dog has her space and knows that her humans will protect her from the annoying fluffball.

We also walk them separately. With the puppy, we have had to do puppy foundation classes, park walks, group dog walks, etc. to help him acquire social skills. It's not about running wild with other dogs (puppy was not allowed to "run wild" until 6 months old and never ever with other puppies - only with trained, friendly adult dogs) but about learning how to remain calm around a variety of dogs and behaviours + remain focussed on the human. Being a terrier who loves a good rag, it's all a work in progress but his social abilities have improved enough that our older dog can communicate with him and he is not as annoying any more.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top