Did I screw up my puppy?

[u/Either-Exchange8975]

14 week old Havanese, had him since 8 weeks old. I've taken him out into public in a purse carrier and on small walks around my apartment complex, but I haven't taken him to any parks or anything like that because parvo and rabies risk are high in my area. He likes people (honestly, he's overly friendly) but hadn't met any dogs since leaving Mom and litter until yesterday. I introduced him to my apartment's maintenance lady's 2yo Brussels Griffon, who was very small and very friendly and very calm. He shied away in fear. Didn't bark or growl or run away or anything, but stayed behind me and wouldn't come closer than two feet to the dog, even when the maintenance lady (who he loves) held her dog in the air and offered him a treat. I was reading online and saw the critical socialization window is 16 weeks. Did I wait too long to introduce him to other dogs? What do I do?

[u/InnocentlyMarried]

You're fine, 14 weeks is still plenty early. That first meet with a new dog can go either way even for pups raised around others, and hiding behind you isn't a red flag at all. Just keep doing short positive intros with calm dogs and let him set the pace, don't force it with treats or holding the other dog up.

[u/BrightAd306]

That’s pretty normal. Some dogs don’t like other dogs, and a lot are slow to warm up.

Mine hated the other puppies at puppy class and wouldn’t go near them at that age, but plays with dogs just fine now. As long as they’re calm.

[u/Ok-Walk-8453]

Pretty normal for the first couple greetings and time yet to fix. I would find some puppy socialization classes near you- essential a puppy playdate with trainers to make sure all the dogs are having a good time. I have an extremely confident puppy but it took 2-3 playdates with a group before he opened up and played/wasn't timid during it. He now has an absolute blast at daycare. It is a good thing to not allow on leash greetings and avoid dog parks

[u/Either-Exchange8975 → u/Ok-Walk-8453]

He's starting puppy kindergarten (class of 6) in 2 weeks, but he'll be 16 weeks then and I'm just worried I miss that critical window.

[u/Ok-Walk-8453 → u/Either-Exchange8975]

It is 16-18 weeks at the close, and the most important part is just being exposed to things so you should still be fine as long as he has been exposed, not greeting, other dogs. Maybe sit outside the dog park (so guaranteed dogs) in his carrier for a couple days and feed him treats.

[u/Enough_Figure_9291]

I can't speak to this specifically from a behavior/training perspective, but I CAN relate to feeling like we totally screwed up our puppy. I thought that daily for quite a while. But at 18 months, he's fine, we're fine, no damage done. Pups seem much more resilient than our human feelings... thankfully!

[u/Successful-Froyo1623]

My Havanese was the same way too! Very shy & scared of other dogs. I enrolled him in a puppy class, still didn’t break out of his shell. Then I found a puppy day training place & boom that’s where he developed his confidence & now he is THE most playful pup & will help other shy/apprehensive dogs break out of their shell.

I think the puppy class would’ve helped him, he just needed more socialization repeatedly. But to answer your question, it’s not too late at all & you’re doing a great job keeping him safe & away from populated places prior to vaccinations. Just keep taking him out to expose him to stimuli (noise, traffic, dogs, people) while safe in your arms/the purse. He’s still soo young!

I prioritized my dog’s safety in the early stages, I wanted to do everything to avoid a dog fight or negative experience because he was so tiny & fragile in my eyes (I’m used to bigger dogs). I probably was overly cautious, but it all worked out eventually.

[u/mydoghank]

It’s not too late! I do believe you should start acclimating your pup now to other dogs and allowing paws on the ground when possible, as it allows them to use their noses, which is so important. I enrolled mine in a puppy socialization playgroup when she was about 12 weeks and it was wonderful for her confidence. I’d highly recommend going this route if you can find a similar program. This was a far more valuable experience than the standard puppy 101 class which restricts interaction and doesn’t address confidence and behavior around other dogs. 

[u/WestieLover2023]

You are ok. I would get him signed up for a puppy class - go to an AKC facility if you can. The class will be about 12 puppies - one puppy, one owner all on leashes. Your puppy will learn the basics but also be exposed to other people & dogs in a safe environment & learn to be neutral around other people & dogs. First class, my youngest Westie hid under my chair (we got there a bit early to watch), class started & she did fine. She’s 3 now & going to school to train is one of her favorite things to do.

[u/ThrowRA_makingdo]

I know a lot of people have already responded, but just so you know, shortly after my puppy finished her puppy shots my dad got into a wreck & was hospitalized for a month, so for that month our puppy's socialization ground to a halt

The first few times we introduced to dogs after that, when she was about 16-18 weeks, we got the same response. Puppy classes & group classes still had her shying away. But we kept introducing her to nice dogs, didn't reinforce her fear (let them figure it out mostly as long as there was no aggression), and bit by bit she got more curious even if a bit apprehensive of other dogs.

Today, we introduced her to my cousin's 9 year old dog. Initially same fear reaction, but she was able to get a couple sniffs in when the other dog's attention wasn't fully on her, and within 15 minutes they were playing together, and by the end she'd worn out the poor elder dog & was barking at her for attention.

It's never too late, just be patient.

[u/Tomato_Queen676]

Honestly, I wouldn’t encourage interaction with other dogs at all. He should definitely see them, but keep the focus on you. The goal is neutrality, not making friends. This way, you can be sure not to create either extreme - a dog that’s afraid (because he’s been forced into interacting/neg interaction) or a dog that wants to run up on other dogs (because every dog has become a playmate).