Do you know socialising a puppy is important?
That puppy socialisation should start (safely) BEFORE they’re fully vaccinated?
Because when your puppy is around 12 weeks old the sensitive period for socialisation will end. Poof, gone! A scary thought I know!
It’s normal to have lots of questions with such conflicting advice out there, so I’m going to give you more information at the end of this article so you can socialise your puppy with the correct knowledge.
For the purpose of this post we will focus on a single aspect of puppy socialisation which is experiencing novel buildings and environments.
However, puppy socialisation isn’t going to happen in isolation.
Whilst visiting the top 5 places, your puppy is going to meet and observe different people, see other animals and a range of unusual objects, they’ll hear a wide variety of sounds and take in different scents.
All of which are going to help you raise a pup who’s happy and confident in all kinds of situations.
In this blog post we’ll share the top 5 places for socialising a puppy in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Top 5 places for socialising a puppy in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
It’s really important to highlight here – none of these examples should put a pre-vaccinated puppy at risk. You must follow your vet’s advice.
If your puppy isn’t fully vaccinated yet, carry your puppy (with their harness and lead on), stay in your car, use a puppy sling, pet stroller or wheeled crate.
And if your puppy is past the sensitive period for socialisation? It’s absolutely worth continuing to expose your puppy to the world around them in a positive or neutral way.
1. Your area
Some areas of Barrow-in-Furness are going to be busier than others, so you need to be cautious here. And it all depends on your individual puppy.
We don’t want to overwhelm a shy puppy or do too much too soon.
If you have a back garden or yard, observe your puppy’s body language in this space initially and take note of when they’re happy and relaxed and if there are any changes.
Standing in your front yard, driveway or with your front door open is a good second step. Obviously, the area needs to be secure or your puppy needs to be secure wearing their harness and lead. Again, observe your puppy’s body language.
At this stage, you’re getting to know one another and the more you learn about your puppy the better placed you are to support them.
When you and your puppy are ready to take a stroll around your area, time your outing appropriately. You don’t want to be met with hundreds of school children wanting to stroke your pup or the bin lorry giving them a fright.
Your aim is to set your puppy up for success. You don’t need to be out for a long length of time, a few minutes to start is perfect! And don’t feel obliged to meet the whims of strangers.
2. Your vets
In Barrow-in-Furness, we have 3 veterinary centres in the town centre. Click on the links below for more information.
Alexander Vets on Hartington Street
Church Walk Veterinary Centre on Crellin Street
Grove Veterinary Centre on Rawlinson Street
And I’m going to pop Furness Veterinary Centre Ltd on Market Street in Dalton on our list too.
Before choosing a vet for your puppy, do your research and give each one a call. Ask what they offer new puppy parents.
Obviously it’s great to know you can access a pet health club or if they have amazing equipment etc. etc.
But in terms of socialisation, ask if they’re happy for you to visit with your puppy once a week, for example, whilst they’re young.
Are the staff friendly and you’ll feel comfortable enough to pop along for a visit just to say ‘hi’?
Is it OK for you to sit in the waiting area with your pup for 5 minutes?
Are you able to visit and have your puppy weighed?
Can you book an appointment with a vet nurse and your puppy spend some time in a consultation room?
Does the vet make appointments a positive experience for your puppy?
Generally, visits to the vet are so your puppy can get a vaccination and are weeks apart.
If you want your puppy to build a positive association with going to the vet, adding extra visits is going to help you achieve that.
3. The beach
We are surrounded by beautiful beaches in Barrow-in-Furness!
How likely is it that you’ll take your puppy to one of our many beaches once they’re fully vaccinated?
So, you’ll want to visit, even if you stay in the car and let the sea air in through the window. Your puppy will be learning a lot about the environment even from the safety of your car.
Of course, you could sit together with your boot open to take in more of the sights or go on a short walk together (safely).
For those of you with older puppies, this is still a great exercise; watching the world go by together, calmly.
Below are just a few of our wonderful beaches. I’ve listed the ones most suited to the outing I’ve suggested above. Click on the links for directions.
FREE PUPPY START RIGHT WORKSHOP
A detailed journey into how to raise, socialise and train your puppy to give them the best start.
Click the button below to watch now and start implementing the right advice today!
*I’ll never share your details with a third party!*
4. Dog friendly pub or cafe
If you envisage long walks up The Lakes and stopping for some pub grub, a stay-cation with your pup in the future or simply taking them along with you whilst you enjoy a meal locally, you’ll want to take your puppy to a dog friendly cafe or pub whilst they’re young.
Below are a few examples of dog friendly pubs in Barrow-in-Furness. Click on the links to find out more.
Below are a few examples of dog friendly cafes in Barrow-in-Furness. Click on the links to find out more.
It’s helpful to take a mat or blanket with you and a tasty Kong or appropriate chew item. Look online for quieter times to visit or plan to go on a sunny day so you can sit outside.
To start, keep your outings to dog friendly pubs or cafes short. Remember we want to set our puppies up to be successful. Plus, you don’t want to order a Sunday lunch and find it impossible to eat because your pup is unsettled.
5. Your groomers
Groomers are going to be similar to your vets.
Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’ll want to know how soon you’re able to visit. Again, this might be for a short time to start. Your puppy doesn’t need to be put at risk, they can take in the sights, sounds and smells from the comfort of your arms.
Look for a groomer who will introduce your puppy gently to the environment and will build a positive association with handling and the equipment.
When your puppy is fully vaccinated, their first visit to the groomers without you should be a settling-in session and a full groom should be built up gradually over a period of weeks.
This is so important if you have a curly haired breed because they’ll need to be groomed professionally every 6 weeks or so.
Below are a few groomers in Barrow-in-Furness. Click on the links for more information.
The Dapper Dog is In The Dogs House
You might also enjoy the Facebook live below, where I chatted to Nikki Cole from Delightful Dogs Grooming about how to prepare your new puppy for their first groom. Unfortunately, Nikki doesn’t live locally, but her advice in this live is invaluable. Click on the video below to watch now.
In this blog post we’ve shared the top 5 places to socialise your puppy in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. We’ve shared the importance of observing your pups body language and exposing them to the world around them in a sensitive way that is specific for your puppy.
The single most important thing to remember when socialising a puppy is to be your puppy’s advocate.
Speak up for them if they show signs of being uncomfortable. Direct strangers to what you’d like them to do instead e.g. it’d be really helpful if you can give my puppy some space.
Good socialisation isn’t a tick box exercise. It should be done with care, thought, consideration and always putting the puppy at the centre.
And it isn’t all about puppies meeting other puppies. I explain further in my blog post – The ultimate guide to puppy socialisation. Click on the link to read now.
And don’t forget you can grab my FREE Puppy Start Right Workshop where we’ll take a detailed journey into how to raise, socialise and train your puppy to give them the best start.
Watch today by clicking on the image below. It’ll be in your inbox in no time!
FREE PUPPY START RIGHT WORKSHOP
A detailed journey into how to raise, socialise and train your puppy to give them the best start.
Click the button below to watch now and start implementing the right advice today!
*I’ll never share your details with a third party!*
I’d love to know if you found this article helpful, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom of this page. And if you enjoyed this article please share it!
You might also like the related posts below and these additional resources to help you socialise your puppy.
- Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy book by Steve Mann
Happy training!
Lindsay xx
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