[susanb]

Hi. We feel like we might have just turned a corner with our 12 week old, gisgo. Last 2 nights clean & dry in crate at last and also asking now to go out for toilet!! Seems calmer & learning sit, down etc. Phew!!!!
So today is a family birthday party. 20 min car drive, strange house full of 10 adults (some unfamiliar) and 2 extra kids (both hyper and "scared" of dogs). Gisgo loves people - always has so he has no need to meet more. I don't know if we should take him for the experience but I don't want to risk spoiling this lovely new phase that he is in. If we get dirty crate tonight I would tend to blame the party!!
What do you all think?

 

[Janev1000]

That's a tricky one - and depends on how your family feel having a puppy in their house. We had this situation at Xmas when Biscuit was 16 weeks and it was just to visit another family for drinks who seemed more than happy for us to bring him - but had just had new carpets He was 100% ok at home - but would he be ok there?! I was extra vigilent and thankfully he did a wee in their garden! - but I was certainly 'on edge' and watched him like a hawk! He ended up on his blanket on the sofa chewing his stag bar, so I could relax for a bit but it did seem like hard work! I think it all depends on your family's flooring!!

 

[Turi]

Personally I'd take him with you. He needs to learn to behave so that you can lead your life and so you're not prevented from doing the things you want to do.

We're taking Saffi home and plan (famous last words!) to take her to everything we can do. I'll let you know how we get on...

 

[RubyCockapoo]

I think it might be too much for such a young puppy and At that age, they tend to get under people's feet and might get hurt. Weighing up all the factors you have mentioned.

Just my opinion

Ian

 

[Pollypiglet]

I would leave him at home the experience may be overwhelming not everyone at the party may understand dogs he will get overexcited and overtired and you will be constantly watching him. You won't be away that long and maybe someone could pop in halfway through the evening to let him out for a comfort break, he has to get used to being left in the same way as he has to socialise you cannot stop going out just because you have a dog.

 

[susanb]

Thank you all. It seems like there is no right answer - like everything else to do with puppies!!!! Hubby is offering to stay at home with gisgo - but I think that is because he does not want to go to the party

I had not thought about leaving him at home alone - we have never done that before so that may be a more useful experience for him!!

 

[Pollypiglet]

Thank you all. It seems like there is no right answer - like everything else to do with puppies!!!! Hubby is offering to stay at home with gisgo - but I think that is because he does not want to go to the party

I had not thought about leaving him at home alone - we have never done that before so that may be a more useful experience for him!!

Maybe do best of both, all go to party leaving pup at home hubby come back after an hour the rest of you stay at party. Always good to have excuse to leave early!!

 

[mandym]

I would definately leave him at home.At this age a bad experience could cause a lot of problems and although he loves people 2 hyper kiddies that may well scream if scared of dogs would be quite scary for a small pup.perhaps as mentioned earlier pop home during the party to let him out and check he is ok.They also have to get used to spending time alone too so this may be the ideal time for him to learn,difficult leaving them though lol xxx

 

[flounder_1]

Personally I think I'd leave him at home as I think I'd be so stressed about whether the puppy was behaving or bothering people that I wouldn't be able to relax and enjoy myself.

 

[Soo]

As Im working hard on the housetraining bit with the two girls if we are going out for more than 2 hours the girls come too in the car where they have a crate. As its cold/cool at the moment its fine to do and they just sleep. Every couple of hours I go and walk them and let them have a run around, give them a drink and a snack and pop them back in the car.

They are both well used to travelling and have been several longer journeys with us. I grew up with a GSD that went on family holidays and he travelled with us from Lands End to John O'Groats and all of the bits in between.

So if you have a crate in the car (and its not too hot where you are) then maybe taking them in the car and popping out to see them regularly etc might be an option.

 

[susanb]

Well - we took him and only stayed for a couple of hours. He met everyone there, explored their house and then had his tea which I had taken and a kong stuffed with cream cheese and frozen. Then out for a walk and then we came home. Hard work but he had a great time and he was the star of the show and loved the attention!!! Next time we will leave him at home.

 

[Pollypiglet]

When you said a party....

I had visions of adults in kitchen getting drunk! Didn't know it would be sedate afternoon gathering. Glad it all went well!

 

[Turi]

Well - we took him and only stayed for a couple of hours. He met everyone there, explored their house and then had his tea which I had taken and a kong stuffed with cream cheese and frozen. Then out for a walk and then we came home. Hard work but he had a great time and he was the star of the show and loved the attention!!! Next time we will leave him at home.

Hi Susan,

Glad to hear it went ok

Do you mind me asking why next time you'll leave him at home?

 

[Pollypiglet]

Home Alone!

Hi Susan,

Glad to hear it went ok

Do you mind me asking why next time you'll leave him at home?

There will be times when it is unsafe/unpractical to take puppy with you so the sooner they get used to being home alone the better. Just my opinion but I have had dogs for 25yrs plus. In an ideal world would love to have pup with me all the time but often it may be unsafe to do so, don't want to risk pup being stolen!

Turi this is not a critisisum of your idea of having pup with you all the time but there are just some circumstances when it is safer to leave pup behind. Hope you can take your pup with you whenever you want.

 

[susanb]

Hi Susan,

Glad to hear it went ok

Do you mind me asking why next time you'll leave him at home?

Hi Turi

I don't mind you asking at all

I was not being 100% serious - but it was very hard work taking him - more things to remember than taking a baby on a visit - and we had only been home a few minutes when I was typing and so my first reaction was to say he would not go next time!!!

but on the other hand, sooner or later we do have to try to leave him on his own. I know we have to do that and I am not looking forward to it - I think we will find it harder to leave him than to take him!!

And we will have to be considerate - everyone wanted to play with Gisgo rather than my little nephew (whose birthday party it was) ......fortunately my nephew was happier playing on his new mini-snooker table.....but I felt a little guilty with Gisgo stealing the attention!!!

roud:

 

[susanb]

I had visions of adults in kitchen getting drunk! Didn't know it would be sedate afternoon gathering. Glad it all went well!

Hee hee - I should have been clearer. I don't seem to get invited to the right sort of party any more!!!!!

 

[Turi]

There will be times when it is unsafe/unpractical to take puppy with you so the sooner they get used to being home alone the better. Just my opinion but I have had dogs for 25yrs plus. In an ideal world would love to have pup with me all the time but often it may be unsafe to do so, don't want to risk pup being stolen!

Turi this is not a critisisum of your idea of having pup with you all the time but there are just some circumstances when it is safer to leave pup behind. Hope you can take your pup with you whenever you want.

Please don't worry, I'm not offended in the slightest. When Susan first posted I assumed by her description that it wouldn't be a raucous party and that's why I figured it would be ok to take the puppy.

When I said we intend to take the puppy with us everywhere with us I had family parties and gatherings in mind. All my family live within two miles of each other and do a lot together - if I was to leave Saffi at home each time I saw them it would be at least twice weekly and because family socialising is a big part of our lives it will be important to us that Saffi becomes accustomed to and enjoys this time as a family.

There will, of course, be occasions and parties where it won't be appropriate or safe for us to take Saffi and like you say we need to get her used to being by herself.

Think this is just a case of misinterpretation

Hi Turi

I don't mind you asking at all

I was not being 100% serious - but it was very hard work taking him - more things to remember than taking a baby on a visit - and we had only been home a few minutes when I was typing and so my first reaction was to say he would not go next time!!!

but on the other hand, sooner or later we do have to try to leave him on his own. I know we have to do that and I am not looking forward to it - I think we will find it harder to leave him than to take him!!

And we will have to be considerate - everyone wanted to play with Gisgo rather than my little nephew (whose birthday party it was) ......fortunately my nephew was happier playing on his new mini-snooker table.....but I felt a little guilty with Gisgo stealing the attention!!!

roud:

I can imagine it being hard work - they're so dependent when they're little.

I wouldn't worry too much about Gisgo stealing the limelight, puppies are much cuter than children (well, in my current opinion anyway :laugh

 

[susanb]

Hi Turi.

I reckon you should buy a spare food & water bowl & a few spare toys to leave at the houses of your family. That will make it much easier when you go visiting (& I know you like puppy shopping).

I also know it will be easier next time - our kids are no longer babies and we have got used to just jumping in the car and heading off!!

 

[Turi]

You read my mind Susan - today I've spent the day dividing up the puppy goodies with a kong, vet bedding and a folding crate and soft toy for each house. Just as well I'm organised... (read OCD )

 

[susanb]

I took a frozen cream cheese kong with me. When he got a bit over excited, I gave him that and he just concentrated on that for about 10 minutes. That is going on my list of "always remember".

Also be careful with your vet bed. First time I washed ours, loads of fluff came off and blocked up my washer! I would have felt terrible if that had been someone else's washer - so maybe wash first the vet bed for family houses!!