Introducing him to other dogs

[noonedoes]

This is my first dog and I got him when he was 8 weeks old and now he's almost 10 weeks old. I want to start taking him to a dog park, but they said he can't enter before 12 weeks old and has to have his rabies shots....since leaving at 8 weeks old he hasn't been around other dogs and I get this feeling he's afraid of them. The other morning while was taking him out side to pee, 2 stray dogs started to bark and he ran right into the house. Should I be introducing him to others dogs now or wait till he gets his rabies shot?

[MyPemCharlie]

Hi noonedoes,

Welcome to GoCorgi! He should have his Rabies and final Parvo shots before taking him to dog parks, out for general walks, to pet stores...anywhere a lot of dogs you don't know frequent. I think the last Parvo vaccine is at 16 weeks.

If you know people with well-socialized dogs who you are absolutely certain are up on their vaccines and healthy, you could start socializing at there house or your house.

Generally puppy kindergarden is also relatively safe, as all the pups have to have proof of being up on the appropriate shots for their age.

[noonedoes]

Thanks I just read your post on the other forum, and I think i'll wait on introducing him to the dog park, but i might allow my friends dog's to come over to play with him.

[colbycorgi]

Colby was our first corgi and new dog in a while for us too....we waited until he had all the shots and then went to a puppy class...that turned out to be a good way to socialize him...we are probably going to do the same with cammie even though she has colby to socialize with and we visit my aunts dogs too, its just good for the group effect and she can get some training in too...we are going to try someplace else than petco this time too...they were pretty ok but we were expecting a bit more and so this time around we are going to look around a bit more first....you still have time, dont worry too much...like someone else said,if you know someone with dogs try to visit at their home or yours....we didnt take colby to the dog park until much later and im not even sure cammie will like it there....we will see...if it ever thaws out here enough togo again....as it continues to snow like crazy!!!

[KJohnson]

we have friends that have a dog one week younger than Westin, so we let them visit once a week until they were all up to date and could go outside and play. Puppy classes helped a lot in socializing, but we didn't take him to the dog park until we knew he'd be ok with that much space and that many people and dogs ( I think he was about 4 months?). But it really is up to you and what you feel is right for him.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by noonedoes

This is my first dog and I got him when he was 8 weeks old and now he's almost 10 weeks old. I want to start taking him to a dog park, but they said he can't enter before 12 weeks old and has to have his rabies shots....since leaving at 8 weeks old he hasn't been around other dogs and I get this feeling he's afraid of them. The other morning while was taking him out side to pee, 2 stray dogs started to bark and he ran right into the house. Should I be introducing him to others dogs now or wait till he gets his rabies shot?

Personally, I'd go to a puppy kindergarten class not a dog park. IMO, he's way too young for dog parks.

A puppy kindergarten class will have more control. Any dog and jump him at a dog park. Some adult dogs do not like puppies. And puppies get that message. So I'd stay away from there for a few more months at the very least.

Peggy