Since I had the trip planned for Spokane Tuesday to drop Honey off, I figured it would be a great opportunity to get Murphy (formerly Tater Tot) out for some more training and socializing too.

It’s important to remember that a puppy’s socialization period starts at about three weeks and ends about twelve to fourteen weeks age. Puppies are little sponges and learn things so quickly during this period. It’s good to expose them to lots of new, safe experiences, different people, a variety of friendly animals and such. After the socialization period ends what we are doing with our puppies is more of a desensitization to new things. But it’s also important to note that your puppy goes through a period of puppy vaccinations (parvo and distemper is what we’re really worried about) that ends with the last shot given at around sixteen weeks. We don’t consider your puppy protected until that last shot. So the socialization period ends before your puppy is completely vaccinated. But socialization is essential so we can’t skip it. What we can do is use common sense to keep our puppy safe and make sure he gets the exposure to new things during this time. (Skip the park, dog park or even walking through your neighborhood unless it’s gaited and you know all the neighbor dogs that pass by. What we’re worrying about is any place a sick dog could’ve walked/pooped etc and left germs behind.)

Having a backpack, front pack, or sling to take your puppy out and about is a great idea and safe way to include them in your activities.

So all the puppies had an early wake-up call and breakfast. Then when it was time to go, Murphy and Honey had potty breaks and were loaded in the truck for the long drive. Hubby was home to take care of the other pups.

After seeing Honey off at the airport terminal for her special delivery, I headed off with Murphy for our adventurous and busy day!

First stop; the kids house for a little visit with them and the grandbaby!

He got to meet cousin Rousey who was very interested in this little puppy.

Since they live in a gaited community I felt safe taking him out in the yard to potty and explore.

Then we sat in the hammock  and watched them do some yard work.

Back inside we relaxed and waited for the baby to get up from his lap. Because I couldn’t stop by for a visit and not see the baby!

Then Liam woke up and got to meet Murphy.

After our visit it was time to load up and hit some pet friendly stores! (You can use the app @BringFido to find pet friendly stores and restaurants in your area).

First stop was The General Store!

We wandered around and met some people. One of the employees loved on him for a bit and he meet a couple cute little girls too.

Then it was off to our next stop; Hobby Lobby. This time Murphy got to take his first ride in a grocery cart. I always put a blanket or bed down in the cart for a puppy first.

He did great and settled right in for his “ride”. I actually picked up a couple things that I needed while we were there.

After we got back into the truck (Murphy had multiple potty breaks with the litter box in the back of the truck throughout the day and always rode in his crate for safely reasons.)

The day was warm and we had an early morning, so I grabbed some lunch in a drive-thru and we headed for our last stop in town before heading north.

When traveling with your puppy in a vehicle, please put it in a crate. Or if you get it used to a booster seat with an attached harness that would work also. There have been too many heartbreaking stories of car wrecks with dogs being thrown from a car, jumping through a window or being thrown around within the car and getting severely injured or worse.

So with that being said, I wanted to take Murphy through a drive-thru so he rode in his crate to the parking lot. I stopped and took him out of the crate and let him sit on my lap just to drive through the drive-thru. This was a whole new experience as he got to see someone at a window handing him a special treat! Yummy!

Once I exited the drive-thru, I pulled back over and put him safely back in his crate with his treat. And, no I didn’t let him eat the whole thing. I didn’t want to upset his tummy.

We made the long drive back to the little town where we do our shopping. Some friends of my work at a local real estate office. The one had been asking me to stop by sometime because she had something for me. So Murphy and I stopped for a visit. I forgot to take my phone in, but he got passed around the office and got lots of cuddles.

Then one last stop at the feed store for a couple things. I just carried him in since we wouldn’t be in there long. He received more cuddles here too.

Then we headed home! It had been a long but productive day. Murphy was happy to get out of the truck and join Maple and Molasses for some fun outside before bedtime!