So Raiden had his second jab last week and is now almost old enough to meet other dogs. Our vet does a puppy party meet-up, so today we rang them to ask what it's like and when we can come...the vet that told us about this neglected to tell us Raiden could have gone as soon as he'd had his first injection, so he could have been going for weeks aaagh Anyway, the puppy party is tomorrow, and here is how much info we've got from them:
- So far there are six other puppies going - is this too much? They have said they don't have an official limit, but don't usually have more than 6 / 7
- The party lasts for an hour!! We asked if we could leave early / half way through and were told that we *could*, but nobody does, with the insinuation that we shouldn't...but an hour is waaay too long for a puppy to be go-go-going, especially when it's a 15 min walk there and a 15 walk back, and Raiden needs to go to the toilet every 15 minutes when he's super active! I mean they accept puppies around 9 / 10 weeks old, how can they go for an hour without getting wound up and having accidents? Thoughts?
- The puppies are off lead in the large waiting room. We asked if, when Raiden becomes overly excited, we could bring him to us and calm him down, through carrying him or doing some training. The person on the phone said they prefer owners to sit and keep the puppies on the floor so 'they are still getting to socialise'...I don't think this is a great idea.
- The oldest puppies they currently have are 12 weeks old
- They have said the puppies are different sizes, and they aren't split into size groups or how tenacious / confident they are...one is a DDB, but they have said he's very calm onder:
- They have said they don't allow owners to shout at the puppies, and have mentioned treats
- Whilst the puppies are playing the staff talk to them about vet appointments and training (oh god...). Does this mean the owners won't be focused on their puppy?! Like, I feel I'm gonna be so focused on Raiden and making sure things are going well (not OTT but to make sure he's not scared / scaring other puppies) that the other owners and staff are gonna be laughing or telling me to back off!
So, would you go? Would you recommend we go?
If we do go what should we be doing...in terms of interrupting if Raiden is too excited, or if he is scared. If he is scared (which I don't think / hope he isn't) can I hold him in my arms and praise him, whilst feeding him treats? If the surgery staff gets arsey what can I tell them? What are some things I should watch out for, that one puppy is being too rough or that Raiden is scared?
Our other option is a puppy training / socialisation class a 15 min drive or hour's walk away. Whilst the class was good (trainer was PR and gave decent advice when we watched), there was just one puppy in the class so I don't know how busy they are...and we really only need the socialisation. We're probably gonna do the training classes as well, but the puppy party has more opportunity for socialisation.
I appreciate any ideas, advice or tips!
- So far there are six other puppies going - is this too much? They have said they don't have an official limit, but don't usually have more than 6 / 7
- The party lasts for an hour!! We asked if we could leave early / half way through and were told that we *could*, but nobody does, with the insinuation that we shouldn't...but an hour is waaay too long for a puppy to be go-go-going, especially when it's a 15 min walk there and a 15 walk back, and Raiden needs to go to the toilet every 15 minutes when he's super active! I mean they accept puppies around 9 / 10 weeks old, how can they go for an hour without getting wound up and having accidents? Thoughts?
- The puppies are off lead in the large waiting room. We asked if, when Raiden becomes overly excited, we could bring him to us and calm him down, through carrying him or doing some training. The person on the phone said they prefer owners to sit and keep the puppies on the floor so 'they are still getting to socialise'...I don't think this is a great idea.
- The oldest puppies they currently have are 12 weeks old
- They have said the puppies are different sizes, and they aren't split into size groups or how tenacious / confident they are...one is a DDB, but they have said he's very calm onder:
- They have said they don't allow owners to shout at the puppies, and have mentioned treats
- Whilst the puppies are playing the staff talk to them about vet appointments and training (oh god...). Does this mean the owners won't be focused on their puppy?! Like, I feel I'm gonna be so focused on Raiden and making sure things are going well (not OTT but to make sure he's not scared / scaring other puppies) that the other owners and staff are gonna be laughing or telling me to back off!
So, would you go? Would you recommend we go?
If we do go what should we be doing...in terms of interrupting if Raiden is too excited, or if he is scared. If he is scared (which I don't think / hope he isn't) can I hold him in my arms and praise him, whilst feeding him treats? If the surgery staff gets arsey what can I tell them? What are some things I should watch out for, that one puppy is being too rough or that Raiden is scared?
Our other option is a puppy training / socialisation class a 15 min drive or hour's walk away. Whilst the class was good (trainer was PR and gave decent advice when we watched), there was just one puppy in the class so I don't know how busy they are...and we really only need the socialisation. We're probably gonna do the training classes as well, but the puppy party has more opportunity for socialisation.
I appreciate any ideas, advice or tips!