Firstly, thank you to everyone who has offered me a warm welcome to the forum and as promised here is the first of I'm sure many contributions to the forum.

I'm hopefull that I will be able to take a puppy from an upcoming litter due in September and as all I can do is wait until the scan is done and hope that there is a healthy boy for me to take home in November, I've been looking at the first few weeks of owning a new puppy and socialisation/training.

Here in Plymouth we have socialisation classes offered at our vet, local agility club and pets at home and I am sure they are all worthwhile....but  I have also read about puppies being overwhelmed by other dogs when attending and then you may have a fear/agression issue. A worry? or just go with the flow and keep an eye out when I'm there?

I'm also busy compiling a list of experiences to be enjoyed in the first weeks of bringing him home but wonder if others have a "must do" or "must avoid" in these important weeks.

Regards

Simon

Simon

Firstly, puppy school is fun for both dog and owner,  but as you say, keep your eyes open.  At the school we took Ollie to the first few minutes consisted of four dogs at a time being let off lead to make friends.  On his first week Ollie hid under my chair, on the second week he was tearing around playing with his new friends.

A second tip, when you get your pup home and sstart taking him out in the garden to do what doggies do, keep and note of what he does and when.  Within a week you will have a timetable and will know when he needs to go out and when he does not, it will save accidents in the house.  Also after a couple of weeks start giving a command when you let him out, "go toilets" or similar.  This will pay dividends later on, say when you are making a long journey and need to make sure he is comfortable before starting.

Most of all, enjoy your puppy, they grow up fast

If a pup is being overwhelmed by one or more pups in a playtime situation rather than picking the pup up I lure the thug pups away with treats, very small pieces of cheese. I just stick the cheese in front of the more forward pup and lure it away towards it's owner. Usually this breaks the thug behaviour, and it then moves onto something else, hopefully another thug it's own size ...........

The Bramble Monkeys at July 20, 2011 at 5:02 AM

If a pup is being overwhelmed by one or more pups in a playtime situation rather than picking the pup up I lure the thug pups away with treats, very small pieces of cheese. I just stick the cheese in front of the more forward pup and lure it away towards it's owner. Usually this breaks the thug behaviour, and it then moves onto something else, hopefully another thug it's own size ...........

Good method Mike.

One would hope that the person holding the session would be able to assess each individual puppy and make sure the boisterous ones are let off on their own or with like minded puppies. They are good thing and each week you can see the confidence in your pup grow.

It's not my idea, I can take no credit it's one of Dr Ian Dunbars, I just stole it off him, it works a treat pardon the pun...........and yes you are quite correct the bigger thugs should be let lose first, sometimes people mistake a bit of rough and tumble play fighting with something  that is out of the doggy equivalent of  The Pacific

Luring away seems obvious now you've said it. Makes me feel more confident when I have a strategy in place to deal with issues like this so I'm grateful.

Just got to make up my mind on which classes I sigh up for (but obviously not unttil my pup is confirmed). 

We spent this morning looking a everything in the house and garden making a list of further puppy proofing to be done. I know we'll miss something but that's all part of the adventure.

Regards

Simon

The king of the lure reward system is Dr Dunbar his site is

http://www.dogstardaily.com/

there are two of his excellent  ebooks on free download

.

http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/you-get-your-puppy

.

http://www.dogstardaily.com/storefront/after-you-get-your-puppy

Hi Simon

My experience was same as Neill's I attended puppy socialisation classes which the first week he was under the chair and from then on he was out there.  He passed top of class and so did my springer - mind you together they are the terrible twins.  My best experience as a pet owner, not working my dog was to get him to look to my face and not the hand for any reward whether voice, toy, whistle or treat.  They need to look to your face and be waiting for your next word, sign or whistle.

If working it might well be different but the face is key in my book and has done me very well over the years.

Good luck - great you take it so seriously and find out - there are so many dogs abandoned because people don't take a dog seriously.  This is my first cocker and I am smitten, totally smitten and will never be without one all the time I can walk.

Dimmy

We atended puppy classes as our Ollie had only just come out of his shell the week before we had him (breeders words). After a chat etc all the pups were let loose to go and play, I'm afraid Ollie got trod on by a dalmation and from then on in he would run to any body with similar coloured trousers to mine to save him.  The second week he ventured a bit more and when chased (he is very quick) turned on a sixpence and lost the others.  The third week the lady taking the class split the pups up and put the bigger more robust pups together and the smaller more timid ones together to play.  This was better except for the embarrassment of Ollie being with a group comprising a 10 week show cocker and a 14 week old shitzu !!!.  Still he was happier and thats what counts not my pride.  Worth visiting classes first to see how the operate.  Marc