Hello again!

I kind of have a small problem with socialising Edie. She's 12 weeks old, just had her final vaccine and can't go out for another two weeks. But I'd really like to have her meet some more people and other dogs as soon as possible.

I don't know anyone in the area - all my family and friends live at least 200 miles away, so I can't have people over to visit us. I asked the vet, but she didn't know of any puppy parties or training classes nearby (we don't have a car).

I thought the answer would be to take Edie out in her carrier so people could fuss her and give her treats, but she's actually petrified of being carried! I tried it a couple of times but she just started shaking and trying to get onto the floor. It seemed like it was doing her more harm than good.

Any suggestions? I'd like to make her less afraid of being carried.

Teddy hates being off the floor too so I don't pick him up anymore I just let him walk, I'm not sure if there is a way to make them like it I'm sure someone will be able to tell you

__________________

I use a ferret carrier for Bonnie. We've used it ever since she came. She loves it. Sleeps in it at night in her playpen. She does NOT like being carried either. I don't know if being in an enclosed carrier vs carried 'out in the open' so to speak makes them uneasy, but it does in Bonnie's case.

I've tried carrying her in my arms, wrapped in a blanket and in her carrier, she doesn't like any of them and just tries to wriggle out!

Have you tried giving her a treat while you're carrying her?


Sent from my iPhone using PG Free

__________________

Some dogs have to become acclimated to being carried, they don't take to it naturally. Giving a treat is a good idea. You need to train your dog to associate being carried with yummy things, like high value treats. Over time, this should overcome the fear.

__________________

'Course I have, Edie will usually do anything for a treat! She's too scared to take treats whilst she's being carried though, even bits of cheese can't tempt her.

I know she'll probably be okay with it in time, and to be honest I don't plan on carrying her at all if I can help it - it's only because she can't walk outside for another ten days, and I wanted to get her used to meeting other people as soon as possible.

A treat, in this case, isn't meant to be an instant fix. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it as a solution.

It's something you have to work up to, if you want it to have any effect. Give her the most high value treat you can when you're squatting down to pick her up. When she's OK with that, start treating her when you put her on your lap while you're in a squat. When that starts working, treat her as you're beginning to stand. Etcetera. The point being that you cut the whole process back to BEFORE she starts to freak out, and begin the treating from there, slowly getting her used to each stage of the process.

__________________