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I was wondering if I could get some critiques from you all about how our socialization is going. Dakota is 13 weeks old, 14 weeks on Monday. She has had only two of her immunizations so far, so I am being careful about exposure to dogs I don't know. I haven't taken her walking in areas where I know a lot of other dogs walk. Please feel free to point out holes you see in our "program" so far. Thank you in advance!
Our home has a 7 year old boxer, who has been fantastic with her (so proud of my boy!) and they play 3-4 hours a day. I supervise, he is great, will tell her when she gets too much with a growl, but has been very tolerant with her. They eat together and she has learned she only gets to check out his bowl after he walks away.
We have two children, 8 and 11. She has been way less mouthy with them then our boxer was when we got him as a puppy! My kids know rules about puppies and what not to do. So far we have had a sleepover with two other children, good calm interactions with Dakota, and a slumber party of 7 little girls, all good interactions as well (I supervised all of these).
We had a family party at our house, grandparents, parents and my nieces and nephews, she was friendly with all.
Neighbors came over and met her, elementary school boy and jr high boy.
My friend with her small children (3 and 1). Dakota was very nervous about this, hid from them, so we did it again the next day and this time the 3 year old gave her tiny pieces of cheese and Dakota seemed much more relaxed.
Two of my girlfriends came over for dinner one night, we took her to a bbq at a friend's house another night. They have a yard that has never had dogs in it! She met about 14 adults (men and women), positive interactions.
Had another two girlfriends over one night (different two), had another family over for dinner (2 men, 3 women and a baby, Dakota sniffed the baby a little then was not interested).
My parents have come over and stayed with her and the kids one night while we were out and then my husband's parents another night.
Last week we met our friends who have a cane corso at our church. We took the dogs for a walk around the church parking lot for awhile, then let the dogs play supervised. This went really well. At one point our friend took Dakota and the corso for a short walk by themselves, they did great.
So...thank you for reading my novel! I am really focused on socialization because I know it is so very important with a breed like dobermans. Suggestions? Thanks again!
Our home has a 7 year old boxer, who has been fantastic with her (so proud of my boy!) and they play 3-4 hours a day. I supervise, he is great, will tell her when she gets too much with a growl, but has been very tolerant with her. They eat together and she has learned she only gets to check out his bowl after he walks away.
We have two children, 8 and 11. She has been way less mouthy with them then our boxer was when we got him as a puppy! My kids know rules about puppies and what not to do. So far we have had a sleepover with two other children, good calm interactions with Dakota, and a slumber party of 7 little girls, all good interactions as well (I supervised all of these).
We had a family party at our house, grandparents, parents and my nieces and nephews, she was friendly with all.
Neighbors came over and met her, elementary school boy and jr high boy.
My friend with her small children (3 and 1). Dakota was very nervous about this, hid from them, so we did it again the next day and this time the 3 year old gave her tiny pieces of cheese and Dakota seemed much more relaxed.
Two of my girlfriends came over for dinner one night, we took her to a bbq at a friend's house another night. They have a yard that has never had dogs in it! She met about 14 adults (men and women), positive interactions.
Had another two girlfriends over one night (different two), had another family over for dinner (2 men, 3 women and a baby, Dakota sniffed the baby a little then was not interested).
My parents have come over and stayed with her and the kids one night while we were out and then my husband's parents another night.
Last week we met our friends who have a cane corso at our church. We took the dogs for a walk around the church parking lot for awhile, then let the dogs play supervised. This went really well. At one point our friend took Dakota and the corso for a short walk by themselves, they did great.
So...thank you for reading my novel! I am really focused on socialization because I know it is so very important with a breed like dobermans. Suggestions? Thanks again!