Where are some good places to socialize a young puppy without all her shots?
They're supposed to get socialized with people and other dogs right away, but they can't go to go to dog parks, puppy classes, etc. I want her to be healthy, but I want her to meet as many different kinds of people and dogs as possible, in as many different situations as possible.. so what's a girl to do?!

How did you all do it? I read online that Home Depot lets dogs in and is a good place to go, where are other places you went to socialize? I'm getting my girl in 2 months, so any other socializing tips or funny stories are much appreciated. Thanks!

I took Yuki to my work a lot on my off days (I work at Lowes). Even when I take her now she's still really timid of people, but I think she picked that up from Cloud or maybe its her personality. I also take her to all the pet stores near me, in the afternoons the bigger stores can have a lot of people in them. My eskimo Cloud didn't go to the dog park until 4 months, and already two weeks in he LOVED going there and always plays with the other dogs, so I wouldn't worry too much about socializing her with dogs before that age, but if its a big concern for you it may help to set up a few play-dates with any friends you know of that have dogs.

There are puppy socialization classes. I don't know where you are or what is available to you, but here in Cali, you can bring your puppy to a "Socialization Puppy Play Group" that you can enroll for. The exception is that your pup must be on a "puppy plan" at a veterinary hospital which would need to include a fecal testing and a vaccine schedule. (They don't allow vaccine clinics or self-vaccines from tractor supply-which don't work anyway). If you don't have any programs like that, then I would wait till at least she has two distemper/parvo combo shots (she should get 4) before taking her anywhere, even Home Depot. Parvo is extremely deadly and it is not something to blow off. It can last in an environment for a while, but it is also an air-borne virus. Scheduling play groups with other pups that are vaccinated, or older dogs that are current on vaccines are perfect. Just make sure the environment that they are in is controlled, meaning that no other dogs that have had parvo have been in the area for at least 5 years.

I know my old vet had puppy socialization classes, I'm sure they still have them, I'll call them and ask.
I'll wait until she has all her parvo shots to take her out to stores and other places it could be.. better safe than sorry!
Most of my friends have dogs that nip and jump, they don't understand how big they are and can even hurt me. I don't really want to be putting a little puppy in that situation, but I'll look at dog groups in the area and maybe schedule some playdates with some well behaved dogs, and make some new people friends too
Thanks guys!

In our puppy class we were given a checklist of things to allow your puppy to see or experience. It is good to expose him early to things like: Trains, kids on bikes, people in wheelchairs, very old people, very young people, busy streets, cows, horses, a car ride, a baby stroller, a balloon, a boisterous person, a shy kid, a siren... Just think of things that might make a dog skittish and If you introduce them to him now, he will be less fearful of his surroundings as an adult. I thought it was a great exercise. Some of these just involve a car ride to a local park or biking trail. You don't want him walking too far when he's so young, but he can easily enjoy a stroll in the park to a creek or noisy playground.

Have fun! And welcome to the forum!

Ooh, a checklist is a really good idea. Thanks for the advice!

I took both my pups at 8 weeks of age to heavily populated areas by my house (old town, national harbor, & GW parkway). We also did puppy classes and puppy parties. I would take them to small mom & pop pet stores where they don't sell animals and not many people bring their dogs in.

Dot wrote:

Most of my friends have dogs that nip and jump, they don't understand how big they are and can even hurt me. I don't really want to be putting a little puppy in that situation

Keep in mind that Husky's are rough when they play anyway and your pup will have been playing rough with his/her litter mates and parents for weeks. I set up play dates for Saphire with a full grown lab and a full grown Akita starting at only 10 weeks. (Both were pets of friends and family that I knew were properly vaccinated and we always did it in our back yard.) Saphire was manhandling both of them within a few minutes. Also Saphire still doesn't know how big she is and trys to sit on the arm of the couch like the cats do.

If your concerned about things getting too rough just watch closely and stop the play immediately if they get too rough.

I'll keep all this stuff in mind! Thanks everyone for the advice, I love this forum

I would suggest going to PetSmart, PetCo, etc. and enroll them in the puppy obedience class. It worked great for my pup, especially for socialization. You don’t have to have all of the shots done, just the first set. I would stay away from dog parks until they have all of their shots though.

I took both of mine to puppy class at that age. Find one that you trust and that makes sure all dogs there have had their shots (adult dogs or starter shots for puppies).

Avoid the dog park until you've finished puppy shots and rabies shot.

Make friends in the puppy class and have play days at each other's houses.

Invite friends over to see the new puppy!

our local petco has a free "puppy playtime" class every sunday afternoon. you don't have to register just show up at the scheduled time. It's reserved for puppies younger than 6 months and supervised by the store trainer. Dakota loved it.