I want to start my puppy on walks

dog01

Well,



I would not take him outside yet. You should wait until he has at The very LEAST his rabbies shot. I would talk to your veterinarian first. But you can probably take him to your backyard.Only If :

* you know thair were no other sick dogs there
* It does not have any hazards
*It does not have any holes

We waited until he was 3 and a half years old.Talk to your vet!!!
Good luck !!!

fawkese1

waiting to socialize your dog and expose them to things they may encounter is not a good idea. the positive experiences you give them, the better...

elisabeth

I would not take him outside yet.

Why not? Dogs need to be outdoors? They need to be socialized as soon as possible.

Between 8-16 weeks is a crutical time in a puppies life. They need to be exposed to as many people, noises, environments, surfaces, objects, etc., as possible. This includes other dogs. By ensuring they are with the right dogs (healthy, happy, confident, doggy manners, etc..) with the key here.

You should wait until he has at The very LEAST his rabbies shot.

Rabie shots are typically given at 16 weeks of age, AFTER the cructical period of socialization ends. You don't want to miss this window, it creates a foundation for your puppy to build off of in his future.

I would talk to your veterinarian first.

About what? As long as you are being safe and aware then there are no issues to discuss.

But you can probably take him to your backyard.

Are you saying to keep the puppy inside ALL of the time? What about housebreaking? What about socializing?

I can guarentee that if you do that, you will end up with a puppy/dog with issues. Serious issues.

Only If :

* you know thair were no other sick dogs there

This is the only statement I will agree too. Sick dogs, shy dogs, fearful or agressive dogs need to keep a distance.

* It does not have any hazards

Puppy proofing needs to be done in both the house and outside, yes this is true. But you want your dog exposed to as many things as possible.

Different flooring material, different ground cover, different textures, smells, etc., etc..

*It does not have any holes

What has holes? A fence? If so, then as long as you are out there (never leave a puppy unattended or dog in my opinion) you should be able to catch puppy before anything happens.

Puppies are pack animals and not as curious as most think. They want to explore the world, but will always be watchful of their "pack". Especially when trying new things out.

Be present and watchful.

We waited until he was 3 and a half years old.

I hope you mean 3.5 MONTHS old, not years. I couldn't imagine a dog who had been cooped up for 3.5 years...

Mikey

ZOMG-yes please do say you meant months??

Corinthian

What makes you think walking outdoors is the only way to socialize the dog? There are far more and better options than walking the dog.

elisabeth

I agree that it is not the ONLY way to excerise a dog or puppy but walking does more than just getting rid of pent up engery.

Walking creates a bond between the dog and it's handler. In the wild walking with pack members helps establish pack pack hearichy (sp?), helps socialize the puppy not only with different environments, sounds, textures, smells but with eachother. They learn where each member "sits" in the family dynamics.

Walking on a loose leash with a puppy also allows you to get started on training. No pulling, staying close, getting focus with distractions around is very valuable and extremely important in young puppies as it helps set a foundation for later training.

Corinthian

Like with every other creature, positive shared experiences create the bond. I would rank walking at the bottom.

In the wild puppies don't walk with "the pack".

Dog packs don't have hierarchies.

None of the other things you mention and want the puppy to learn require it to go out walking and indeed you'd have better control over what the dog learns by controlling it's environment and doing it indoors.

elisabeth

I disagree.

Positive experienced do help with the bond, yes they also provide confidence boosters to young puppies and dogs, but walking with your dog DOES create a bonding experience.

Young dogs, older puppies actually DO walk with the pack. They don't hunt with them, correct; but they do walk and play with the older pack members.

Everything in this world has hierachies. Humans, birds, cats and yes, even dogs.

I'm not saying to pull out the "I'm more domaniant than you" or "I am alpha hear me roar" cards, I am just stating by showing the puppy which way to go (without pulling or being aggressive), being the one who is calm and collected (puppies tend to be overly excited due to too much stimulation) shows the puppy that you will be the protector, leader and the one who will keep them safe and give them the guidence they are craving.

I think we can say, that we will have to agree to DISAGREE here. I don't think keeping a puppy indoors and secluded from the outside world is healthy both physcially or mentally.

Corinthian

Only in the most passive way possible.

I going to side with the research I've read that says they don't and stay close to the den.

If you expand the definition so much as to make it meaningless, then you are technically correct.


Since that's not something I'm advocating, I will call straw man on this.

Criosphynx

I practically never walk my dogs. I don't see it as the massive bonding experience that people claim it to be. Walking usually involves dodging loose dogs and frustrated dogs behind fences...if anything I think it would weaken my bond as Iam forcing my dogs to be around these aversive stimuli.

I beg to differ. I do not see this occur in dogs. Or wolves. But even if it is valid to wolves... dogs are not wolves in reguard to behavior.