Is this good socialization for 12wk pup?

[Odus]

people stop in the middle of the street to pet Odus, my neighbor brings his kids down the street while I'm walking Odus so they can pet Odus. Everyone wants to pet Odus! Odus is only 12 weeks old and loves the attention. My question is if this is good for socialization with Odus? I am starting to tell people how to I want them to approach my dog and I am putting him in a sit/stay as well. But is it good for him to be "loved" by so many strangers?

[moondog]

Of course it is! And having him sit/wait for your permission to say hello is a good thing......the more the merrier!

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by moondog

Of course it is! And having him sit/wait for your permission to say hello is a good thing......the more the merrier!

I agree!!! The more the merrier!!

[gnwhite]

i agree totally!!!! sounds like you are doing a great job!




norma

[Dimitri]

i live in downtown toronto and i want to know if this is a good idea.

i've been walking (well carrying my puppy) on my shoulder going up and a major street. the rationalization is to get him use to the sounds and new smells as well as the hustle and bustle of everyday life. i admit he is nervous of everything and i often tell everyone to approach slowly with their palms open facing up. i never force the issue, but often give good encouragement to have him greet others with a "go say hello"

[gnwhite]

your doing great with your puppy. but my suggestion is to wait until he has the last series of his puppy shots. then you can walk him and not have to carry him.

invite friends over to your house, a few at a time. this way he gets the socialization that he needs. keep inviting friends over the more the merrier.

the only reason i say not to carry him around all the time, is because it may cause him to be a little insecure later on. maybe not but just the same i would wait until he gets his last shots. taking him for car rides are also a great way of him getting used to new enviroments and most dogs come to love it.

good luck!!!
norma

[damp]

Originally Posted by Dimtiri

i've been walking (well carrying my puppy) on my shoulder going up and a major street. the rationalization is to get him use to the sounds and new smells as well as the hustle and bustle of everyday life. i admit he is nervous of everything and i often tell everyone to approach slowly with their palms open facing up. i never force the issue, but often give good encouragement to have him greet others with a "go say hello"

True socialization is not to carry a pup around…I would call such “forced” socialization. That kind/way of socialization can very well be more harmful than useful.
As I understand, your pup is a bit timid/shy and by carrying it around, the pup has NO natural way to tell you, when enough is enough and when the stress level becomes too high. It can’t use its instincts and body language in a proper way, but the only resort is to freak out. The pup learns, this is the way to handle stress and not to deal with it in a proper way.
Let it explore on its own and give it time to overcome, what it finds spooky. Let it approach and investigate using its own four legs. This way you have a much better chance to read the pup’s reactions: Happy, proud, outgoing, self-assured, shy, timid, scared, submissive etc. and the pup learns how to handle stress. It builds confidence each time the pup does its own experience and figures out, that what first seems scary mostly is fun.

[Odus]

Thanks to everyone for the positive replies! Odus has become the neighborhood rottie puppy that everyone loves to pet. He's very sociable and loves to meet people and play with other dogs. Hopefully he will grow up to be a very sociable rott!