Comment

Comment by James on May 10, 2008 at 5:23pm

My property is fairly small (but it's at the beach!) and my neighbor does have 2 Australian Shepards, but they are UTD on shots and take flea/heartworm medicine I can assure you. The issue is that there is heavy dog traffic on the beach, and I cant imagine fleas taking to the salt water, so I imagine them heading over to our houses. I cant find fleas outside, I can lay in the grass and have no problem, however they are there. 2 days before he started the Advantage I found 2 single fleas on him and said "Thank god, he can start Advantage in 2 days". I cant take him to the beach until he is finished with his boosters, so socializing until his shots are complete will be an issue. He has played around with the neighbors dogs (and their people too). I guess the grocery store is a good idea, mabye I will look into a puppy-class (even though he is a stellar performer without "official" training) just for the socialization aspects. I would say in his short life he has met around 45 people of varied attributes. He has also met 4 dogs and played with 3 total, and 2 pretty regularly (on Saturdays usually). When I take him out he really wants to go anywhere, There is alot to see from the yard, so I am sure it's all very enticing.

Comment by Sylvia & Timmy on May 10, 2008 at 4:52pm

I'm with Sam on socialization. Between 6-16 weeks is the small window for optimum socialization. (when it's easy) Otherwise it's much harder if Cheez-it is older. Here's what I suggest. If you have an outdoor mall, outside of a grocery store, toy store, etc. hang out with Cheez-it. I used the local grocery and hardware stores. Hardly anyone can resist wanting to pet and or touch a puppy and fewer can resist that corgi face. I had him on a leash and would pick him up on occasion. Made sure that little kids petted him, older people, varying ethnicities, facial hair, funny hats, piercings etc. In the course of two months Timmy must have met at least 200 people, no joke. The best was when I took him to a neighbors daughter's birthday party. There were 20 small children ages 3-5. Also took him to gatherings at friends and family homes, especially those that have friendly and well taken care of dogs. After he turned 4 months old and got his rabies shot, it was down hill, by then he was bullet proof with meeting and greeting. Places to avoid would be parks, groomers, well walked trails, places where lots of dogs are or have been.

Comment by Sam on May 10, 2008 at 1:04pm

What a good dad. Tape worms are the result of fleas. I suspect he had them long before you ever got him. Now is a prime socialization time so I am not sure I would restrict him quite that much. I would choose places that are not filled with busy dog visitation. The advantage should work very quickly. If you have not had pets before I am not thinking your yard if flea infested. If you have neighbors that have animals that may change that status a bit. Not sure if he was dewormed before you brought him home but he should have been. Keep up the good work.