Help with Augie's homework!

[SubrosaX]

Part of Augie's "homework" in his new obedience class is to visit two new places each week that he has never been to before. I think this is a fantastic idea and a great way to socialize him, but I'm running out of ideas! He just had his first class last Saturday and I'm already at a loss. So far, he's been to two different parks, Petco, Petsmart, visited at a friend's home, walked all over the neighborhood and will have his first visit to the vet on Friday for neutering and his first rabies shot. As he's not licensed yet, I can't take him to the dog park and technically, he's not even supposed to be walking around town, though it's not a huge worry and soon he'll be good to go.

Any suggestions on places to take him? They don't have to "fun" necessarily, just places where he's likely to encounter different things that will help in his socialization. Bear in mind that Augie is a little bit shy, though fairly quick to adapt. There are lots of great parks and walking trails in town once the license issue is taken care of, but I'd like to take him places a bit more challenging.

Any ideas are welcome and thanks in advance

 

[cinnamon]

My sheltie needs work, so we've gone to an outdoor cafe (where I had to had dessert and coffee), playground, baseball game. We even went downtown at a tourist town nearby and I was happy how well she did.

 

[milos_mommy]

cinnamon had great suggestions.

Also, see if there are any outdoor art festivals or farmers markets or something going on.

 

[DaVinci]

If he is shy why not just walk around out in front of the mall lots of people. sliding doors or automated ones at least. Do you have a beach around you. It is way to cold up here for that. I just took Vendetta to the sled dog races and in next week end she is going to 4H day and then in another week the Eel pout festival. Check out the local paper. You could also ask and see if you could take him to the senoir center in your town.

 

[smkie]

hardware stores were very helpful when i was training VIc for his pets for life and i am taking Pepper there now. WE do simple obedience in the isles and no one seems to mind. You can have them walk beside the cart too while you pick up weird and "scary" things and show them that they are not scary after all.

 

[SubrosaX]

There was a softball game going on at the park yesterday, so I made sure to walk him past so he could experience all the noise and excitement. No kids on the playground though, which I thought was a bit weird. I'll have to try going at another time when there are more kids.

There are dog-friendly cafes and restaurants in town, dunno why I didn't think of that *slaps forehead.* There IS a weekly farmer's market too. Great ideas.

I really love the hardware store suggestion! Lots of weird "scary" things in there! Not sure if I could get away with it at Home Depot or the like, but there is a mom and pop hardware store in town that I bet would be happy to let Augie come in. I'll look into taking him to the dog beach too. I believe the folks at our local dog park organize doggie day trips down there periodically. Once Augie is all licensed and legal, I think that would be fab.

Keep the suggestions coming guys, and thanks!

 

[milos_mommy]

Hardware stores are GREAT.

 

[lizzybeth727]

One "outing" we do with new service dogs is to take them to a parking lot that has a lot of traffic, and get them used to the noise and the cars driving by. Also a good place to let Augie meet people.

The only other thing I can think of would be a dog grooming salon.... Even if he'll never have to go to one, there are a lot of interesting experiences there.

BTW, this is a GREAT idea for puppy class, and I'm TOTALLY going to steal it for my classes! What a great trainer you must've found who "makes" you do this stuff!

 

[PoodleMommy]

I see dogs in Home Depot all the time... I think they are allowed in there... I brought Armani in because I thought this was allowed and lots of workers stopped to pet him and no one mentioned he shouldnt be in there. Maybe it is a store by store policy.

Outdoor malls are great... like outlet type centers... they usually allow dogs and then certain stores may have no dog signs if they dont want them in.

Outdoor cafes are great as well... because the dog has to lay and be quiet for an extended period of time.

There are lots of places... you can even stand outside places he cant be... for example, I have sat on the bench outside the grocery store with the dog while I waited for someone to come out and lots of people will want to stop and pet the dog.

 

[milos_mommy]

PM, I think most Home Depots allow dogs...I see dogs in there often and have never seen anyone complain.

 

[SubrosaX]

PM, I think most Home Depots allow dogs...I see dogs in there often and have never seen anyone complain.

I never knew that, that's awesome. I'm gonna call up and double check that it's OK, then me and Augie are headed to the hardware store! There's actually a couple of things I need too, so this will work out great.

 

[lizzybeth727]

My home depot actually has a sign on the door that says "No Pets Allowed," but my roommate and I have been bringing our dogs in there for months, since the store opened, and we see other dogs in there as well (this one in particular seems to ALWAYS be there, off leash), and no one has told us we shouldn't have them in there. In fact several of the employees have stashes of dog biscuits under their desks or displays!

We also take dogs into Lowes, but not as often because it's not as convenient. I don't know if there is a "No Pets Allowed" sign there, it's been a while since I've been there.

 

[bjdobson]

Wow, you can't take dogs to ANY and I mean ANY stores around here unless they're pet stores. Tried that. They kicked us out. "No pets allowed" (except service dogs) is on every store of every place around here. It's NOT pet friendly here

You're so lucky to be able to go to all those stores - sounds like a great trainer for your class!!!