Thoughts & opinions needed please.

My new bullie nephew, Indio.

His dad won't take him on walks till after xmas as he could be watched returning home. I think he's paranoid but people do steal dogs for xmas if they can't afford to buy one... & someone did try to steal Tyson as a pup, so maybe he IS NOT paranoid.  

He is also worried to bring him here (to my house) on new yrs eve. Mine will be fine after 10 mins of..... PUPPY excitement.

Doggie mum & daughter popped in today & mum wants to bring Indio. Get him in there, dog city. We both agree no problem, but dad is worried what mine will do. Indio growled at grandpa as he gave his grand daughter a hug. He has not been out or social since they got him.

I say... bring him over! It's fine.

He is going to ring me to allay his fears, (or convince him to bring Indio). I just think a young dog should mix with everything, breed, sex, species that you can as young as possible.

What do you think?

What can I best say to get him to bring Indio as I think it will be a great experience for him bar the fire works.

I think that those weeks from leaving mum and becoming more independent are vital to a pup. He needs out and socialised or he is going to end up with a very nervous aggressive dog - which by the sounds of it he won't know how to handle. It may seem a little scary before xmas but end of the day dogs get stolen every day not just at xmas and xmas is too close now, they wouldn't have time to take it and sell it in time.

This close to Christmas, the chances of people looking for dogs to steal will be slightly less. As awful as it sounds, the thieves won't have time to steal a dog, transport it away from its home and sell it in time for Christmas Day.

If the pup's old enough to be out and about after his vaccinations (if his owners have chosen to vaccinate him, of course), he probably should be out. The majority of people won't even know what a Bull Terrier pup looks like - they'll most likely assume he's a little non-descript terrier until he's gone past his gangly puppy stage! Demps looked like a cross between a JRT and a mouse when he was young.

Socialisation is important from a young age. It doesn't have to teach him to be gentle straight away; it just has to teach him how to communicate with other dogs. So yes, I'd try to convince him to take him out!

I can understand Indio's dad's nervousness, up to a point. And that point is the socialisation of a young pup which is vital for his future well-being. He needs to meet other dogs, people, etc, and the sooner the better, for his own mental health.

New Year's Eve would also be an excellent time to introduce him to the experience of neighbours' fireworks, in the company of other dogs (and humans) who don't give a damn and ignore the bangs and whizzes. This will stand him in such good stead when he hears bangs etc in later life.

Please do your gentlest, kindest best, Tracy, to try to persuade Indio's dad that he will not do the puppy any favours at all by wrapping him up in cotton wool.

Good luck

Well, I am holding my breath. I have not heard if Indio is coming or not. I do know that doggie dad wants to keep him "wrapped up" but doggie mum wants him to live life,

My two dont like fireworks. To them it's gun shots, (an intrusion on their land. They defend the sky from intruders). Thats why we always do NYE here as I wont leave them. But Spok was DA so never the twain shall meet but Indio is young.... has socialised so I think it is imperative to continue that with him.

My first dog was terrified of bangs and it was all my fault - I shut her in the furthest away bedroom (with light on and music playing) whilst we had our little tame fireworks (no bangers, although of course other people did) for our then young children in the back garden. I was naïve then.

With my next puppies I knew better. And as we live in a military area where WW3 is frequently enacted, it has paid off.

If any puppy is likely to be in earshot of fireworks (or thunder, or gunshots) the very best favour anyone can do is to remain calm and ignore it, and for heavens sake don't rush to the dog and cuddle it and say "there,there, sshh" as this will only alert him to "oh heck, there's something to be scared of, even my boss is scared".

You can only do your best Tracy.

LyndaW wrote:

If any puppy is likely to be in earshot of fireworks (or thunder, or gunshots) the very best favour anyone can do is to remain calm and ignore it, and for heavens sake don't rush to the dog and cuddle it and say "there,there, sshh" as this will only alert him to "oh heck, there's something to be scared of, even my boss is scared".

You can only do your best Tracy.

I couldn't agree more.

So... Indio is coming over to meet everyone.

Dogs 1st, if he's settled, next are the chooks, then finally Chilli if it all goes well. Fingers crossed guys. I really want this to go well.

They will probably leave early as we have tons of fireworks here but they don't have many at all where they live so doggie dad wants to remove him before midnight. I actually don't agree but, he is bringing Indio to meet everyone & thats the important part so, it's fine with me if that makes him feel better.

I can't wait! I so hope it goes well so doggie dad is happy to always bring him or us to take my two to visit him.

Well, common sense has prevailed - I hope all goes well.

You're right you know, but common sense is not that common when you have fear in your heart for your dog. They feel it & react if you are tense, as he is.

Indio will be just fine but due to Spok being his only dog & DA I understand. I just don't agree he should make the same mistake twice isolating his dog.

I really want this to work out well to allay his fears so Indio can go anywhere with them.

I trully believe as mine are so good with any size, species or sex it is the best thing for Indio to get into the mix & see that bird, chook, cat... WHATEVER.... it's all good.

I totally understand - my first dog was DA - so I made sure Morgan met everything possible when I first got her - I probably went too far the other way! And you're right - tension in the owner will translate to tension in the dog - but it's so hard not to get tense when you're worried yourself! Hopefully a good meeting with your crew will help to allay his fears, and then things can go on in leaps and bounds.

Good luck, Tracy! I'm certain that you and yours will show Indio how great it is to be friends!

Cheers guys.  I pray I am right... though Jess is not as tempered as she was throughout her life anymore, but as sure as I am.... you just never know.

Tyson is lovely natured but has the staffy "fight" if challenged.

Indios dad is worried due to past experiences with Spok. I am worried due to how Jess may react to a young unruly, not trained bully full of enthusiasm or testosterone.

My heart & mind says it will be a lovely night, but my nerves are on tender hooks. He is only 6 mths with no doggie contact bar passers by in the street since they got him. (he has only been on 2 walks now,) & only met 3 dogs since he arrived & one he got his back up & he went off & barked at the little dog.

Will you be able to meet on neutral ground and walk a little while together before you get home? That may help.

No. Unfortunately not. But mine are fine with dogs coming into the house. Anyone or dog I open the door to let in they have never had a problem with. Known or not. My invite with... "hello" signals a friend to mine.

Indio will come straight into my house. I will put them in the yard to meet him through a security door for 10 mins to curb the...." puppy dog" excitement on my dogs behalf.

His microchip is in a 3rd party name. (Long story....I would not have allowed that to happen, but it has now.) He is also not yet registered so it will be... out of the car, into my house / property where he has no exit.

I'm sure you'll be fine - you know what you're doing.

I'm sure you are right. I'm just stressing as I want this to go smoothly for Indio.

Young experiences stay with them for life. I just don't want him to be scared.

I'd be the same!

Yes, but if the intros are done carefully there shouldn't be a problem.

That's good news Tracy.

Fairy steps, but Indio must meet with other dogs, people and situations as soon as possible (and as calmly as possible - try to keep Indio's daddy out of the way if he is likely to get hysterical, with a drink or four). I know you know this!

I will keep my fingers crossed but I'm sure it will all be fine as you are so sensible.

You know, dad had a few, but was so happy it all went to plan.

Trully a perfect visit!

He got on beautifully with mine, my chooks, the chill.... not quite a meeting of love but ok.

A good starting point for more visits and dad relaxing!

Dad's stress level was zero (bar a loose kitten) an hr after they all got here. It went even better than I imagined & I had no (3%) doubt of any problem.

Well done all!

It went great! Now I just need to keep the momentum so "dad" dosent isolate him like he did with Spok.