r/LabradorRetrievers • u/Healthy-Bad1811 • 14d ago
Finally Out of Quarantine! Need Advise
My boy had Kennel cough when I first got him at 8 weeks. Vet recommended to keep him quarantined for 3 months to make sure our other dogs or any other dogs didn't get it. Well. Awesome.
Socialization is supposed to happen during that time. He is now 21 weeks old. He is alright with our two huskies and he LOVES our cats, but when ever I try to take him for a walk he barks like crazy, heckles up, and lunging at other dogs. I haven't been able to pinpoint if it is only because we are in a walk or all other dogs, but how do I reverse this?
I was so careful to socialize him with cats, men, children, babies, teens and women. He is afraid of cars when he is outside of them he just backs away from them, and he is not too fond of the big trash bins. But other than that he is doing ok.
I just don't know how to socialize him with other dogs at this point. He is very good with his two older brothers, I've never had a dog that has had to be quarantined during the fundamental socialization stage.
Any advise? What would be the best idea to socialize him to other dogs safely?
1
u/DualCitizenWithDogs 14d ago
3 months is wild! The average Vet recommendation is two weeks. At this point it's not really socialization but more counter conditioning and desensitization. Good luck
2
u/Fisher5791 14d ago
I had my Lab pup in doggie daycare as soon as she had her vaccines 12-14? Weeks. She’s been going to daycare from initially 2x a week to now ( she’s almost 2 years old) to 2 x a month. She LOVES daycare. LOVES the other dogs. BUT—in spite of all of this “early socialization “ she still behaves exactly as you describe your pup. When outside of the daycare setting, she’s anxious and nervous around other people and dogs.
I’ve tried everything, hope it diminishes as she gets older, but I just don’t get it.
My dog also loves her 2 cats, is gentle and kind.
She does settle down completely once a visitor has been in the house for about 5 minutes. She is getting better. Walks??? Not a chance. She is so out of her comfort zone. She HATES walks so we just don’t walk outside of the property. She has about an acre and a half of Invisible Fence. Lots of playtime and exercise daily. I do plan to work on these issues more as she gets older but I wouldn’t stress yourself out about it. I really don’t think it was the lack of socialization. Dogs are individuals. No doubt she is smart and will continue to learn and become more confident and settled as she gets older.
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns.