Puppy's First Outing

[Diva'sOwner]

Okay, against my fears of Parvo and other nasty things, I took Haley out to be with the general public today. We sat on a bench in a financial district, next to a doctor's office and HMO. She met lots of people and was so happy to be out. The only negative thing that happened was a few workers went by with hand dollies and the noise scared her. She hide under the bench and behind my legs. I ignored her and gently shoved her in front of my legs. She was fine after the noisy men left but after that she seemed less enthusiastic about meeting the rest of passerby. Was I right to take away her hiding place? I didn't say anything, like "It's okay." Just didn't want her to hide. We will go back to that spot tomorrow and maybe she'll be more confident since she'll know it.

Still nervous about diseases since she only had shots at 6weeks and 8weeks, but we are getting cabin fever and I can tell she wants to be outside.

[Judi W]

Well, unless those dollies where carrying parvo, I'm sure everything will be fine. That sounds like a great place to visit. I'm sure it was just fine even if she got a bit concerned. That is learning. Worried, nothing bad really happens, gets over it. Always remember William Campbell's "jolly routine" when she gets worried. You just laugh and make a party of whatever is going on. If you have an opportunitywith things like this in the future, you might even one time ask if they (whoever) will stop a minute. then you go up and have a nice conversation with the dolly or puppy eating thing, pat it. They will think you are crazy, but she will think the dolly (or whatever) is an old friend of yours and can't be all that dangerous after all. Don't urge her to approach or anything as that will actually build rather than allay suspicion but she will remember your happiness at the object. (pretty much ignore her as you do this unless she approaches and then you can tell her you think it is an interesting thing) I recall having a big conversation with a noisy fork lift at a Home Depot with a puppy bitch.

[MontanaRott]

The party suggestion Judi gave you works like a charm. We have been in public and had parties with HATS, once on the side of the road with a bale of hay, rolling things at Home Depot, cat toys at PetSmart, oh the list goes on and on. We never coddled, just had a big "WHOOPEE, Look at this silly(insert object here)and then, to each other, "isn't this the funniest thing you have ever seen!!??" and so it went. More often then not, Guerin would then come to the object for a look. I am sure there are people out there, who witnessed one of our parties and thought, my goodness, look at those nuts! haha.
Have fun with the socializing and believe me it will pay off! Now get out there and have a party with that dolly! LOL!

[miccmill]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Well, unless those dollies where carrying parvo, I'm sure everything will be fine. That sounds like a great place to visit. I'm sure it was just fine even if she got a bit concerned. That is learning. Worried, nothing bad really happens, gets over it. Always remember William Campbell's "jolly routine" when she gets worried. You just laugh and make a party of whatever is going on. If you have an opportunitywith things like this in the future, you might even one time ask if they (whoever) will stop a minute. then you go up and have a nice conversation with the dolly or puppy eating thing, pat it. They will think you are crazy, but she will think the dolly (or whatever) is an old friend of yours and can't be all that dangerous after all. Don't urge her to approach or anything as that will actually build rather than allay suspicion but she will remember your happiness at the object. (pretty much ignore her as you do this unless she approaches and then you can tell her you think it is an interesting thing) I recall having a big conversation with a noisy fork lift at a Home Depot with a puppy bitch.

I've posted here about my forays into the world of dog eating lawn ornaments. I never knew all my neighbors but I sure do now. Two Christmas seasons of talking to yard displays and explaining why I was doing it was a great ice breaker. Finally, this past Christmas season, we walked the neighborhood with no reaction to the big scary inflatable Santas (I still think they're scary)
A few weeks ago I was at the driveway window waving to the tow truck guys who were towing a car next door, showing her that they were my friends, when one of them saw me and waved back I'm either the considered the most friendly person in my neighborhood of the craziest.