How do you socialize your pup with other dogs?

You are thinking along the right lines for sure.  He needs the socialization.  There is a small window of opportunity to do it right for both socialization with other dogs and people too.

It can be tough, I know to find the right group.  When I took Heidi in for her Kindergarten classes, she was almost 7 months old.  At that time, the trainer dropped her "social time" that she had incorporated into the hour long class.  Evidently, somebuddy got hurt...so she didn't want to be liable.  However, there was another dog in my class about the same size and age as Heidi.  So, we, the owners took it upon ourselves to let the two have play time together after class.  That helped a lot.

The other thing that worked for me...was I have a neighbor across the street who has 3 dogs. I introduced myself to her specifically for this purpose.  OK, I needed to be neighborly too, but now you know.   I would take Heidi and Buddy over there frequently (this was pre Bruder) and they would all play together.  OK, Buddy didn't play....but he did socialize.  This was really good for Heidi because she got some lessons in appropriate behavior from those dogs.  They were not puppies.

Also, my DD has a dog that is about 3 months older than Heidi.  Not frequently, because she lives out of town....but sometimes they would come to visit....and the two young dogs would play until they dropped.

So, you may just have to solicit play groups.  I know that Ari's mom had a tough time finding the right kind of social club...hopefully she will chime in here.

Also, on the private lesson...if you are talking 1 hour private lesson + 1 hour group lesson...IMO at his age, that is too much.  However, a 1/2 hour of playtime prior to the lesson might not be bad.

Looking forward to what others say. 

 The trainer I spoke to said I could do private sessions with her until Luger is 4 months where he would be old enough to attend the level 1 obedience class. I don't mind paying for them but I agree that an hour long is too long.

I don't know anyone with dogs bigger than 5lbs. All my neighbors either have elderly or small dogs and my friends are no better. My friends have dogs under 10lbs. 

Maybe I could put an ad in the paper for a playdate? Should I require shots up to date? I know how some people feel about shots.

 Anyone else want to share how?

Is there a good dog day care near you that has openings for young puppies?  If you PM me your location, maybe I can find a trainer near you who lets pups in younger than that.  Normally, the positive trainers do.  At four months, your puppy's optimal socialization window is nearly closed!  What you really need to do is keep your pup out of areas where a lot of unvaccinated dogs or wildlife are urinating and defecating, but meeting other healthy puppies is fairly critical. 

Ask your trainer if there are other people waiting for class who might like to form a small play group.  And, ask your trainer to read this.  It's the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior position paper on puppy socialization:

http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/puppy%20socialization.pdf

 I just looked into doggie daycares and the 2 I found the pups have to be 5 and 6 months old.

 Does the trainer have dogs? Maybe she would allow Luger to play after his obedience session, with a well rounded adult or two.

sambob

 I just looked into doggie daycares and the 2 I found the pups have to be 5 and 6 months old.

Maybe they'd let you leave your number, in case they get any other younguns? Then you all could get together on your own time.

Call your vet and ask if they have any clients with similar age/size puppies who might be interested in a meet up group.   I know there are Vets who would faint at the thought but there are also Vets who recognize the importance of early socialization.  Vets and their staff appreciate a well behaved dog client and getting them in a puppy class early is a win win situation for all involved. 

JackieG

Call your vet and ask if they have any clients with similar age/size puppies who might be interested in a meet up group.   I know there are Vets who would faint at the thought but there are also Vets who recognize the importance of early socialization.  Vets and their staff appreciate a well behaved dog client and getting them in a puppy class early is a win win situation for all involved. 

 

This was going to be my recommendation as well.  I'm sure your vet or your trainer would be able to help you find other puppy owners that would be interested in setting up play dates.

 Way back when Tootsie was a pup, shes 5 1/2, we had three dogs. A heeler x and a very rambunctious min pin. Then we had Peaches, the year old cat. I wouldn't call it dog socialization because shes a cat, but this is where Tootsie learned what was appropriate play and inappropriate. The heeler x never played and the "rambunctious freak" min pin style of play didn't interest Tootsie. Do you have a very "dog tolerant" cat?

P.S. My situation with the cat is probably not the norm.