Just got off the phone with vet. (socialization related)

[lonestarag05]

I wanted to get her opinion on taking my puppy anywhere (obviously not pet stores or dog parks) and she said they discourage taking them anywhere before they have all their shots. Well by that time he'll be almost 15 weeks old. That's is way late to start socializing and I was hoping to have an obedience class under our belt.

Thoughts?

[Lilie]

I would much rather protect the health of the pup! It won't be too late to start socializing.

Call your instructor. Let them know what your vet said, and what goals you have for your pup. There are lots of things you can do to get your pup set up to succeed before he goes into his first class!

[selzer]

Usually a week or so after the 9 or 10 week shots it is ok to take them to puppy classes, I have not had a problem doing so. We are working with other puppies and their owners once a week for about six weeks. I perfer no puppy play-time because people rarely do it properly, and usually puppies get bullied or bully and I am just not that excited about that, but a good class will do a lot of fun exercises, socialization, and a little obedience at the puppy level.

That is about all the dog-socialization they need until they have their full complement of shots. Take them to non-doggy places, outside a drug store and hang out, allowing people who want to to pet the puppy.

This time goes quick. I think that what is important to remember is it is just as important that the puppy not have a serious bad reaction as it is for them to have good reactions. And even a good thing can be bad if the pup is overwhelmed. So like food while dieting, it is something you should do in small doses and often.

[lonestarag05]

Oh, I agree on the puppy on dog socialization but they made it sound like I shouldnt taken him anywhere. I was planning to be able to take him to public places so people could meet him and he could see different things. My understanding of parvo is that as long as he doesnt touch the ground or come into an infected dog he will be ok.

[selzer]

Parvo is terrifying if you have a lot of it in your area, maybe staying at home is your best bet.

[Freestep]

I keep my pups home until the second parvo vaccine. Then we socialize at a puppy class. We don't go to dog parks, walks in the neighborhood, or anywhere else until the third parvo vaccine.

I do bring my pup to work with me from day one--I'm a groomer and my shop is on my own property, so we're lucky in that the socialization comes to us. I don't worry about client dogs bringing in parvo--I know there's a small risk, but I have to balance the need to socialize vs. the fear of parvo.

[selzer]

Correct me if I am wrong but it is my understanding that if the puppy is vaccinated prior to the puppy being under its own immune system, the shots do not work. So if the pup is vaccinated at nine weeks, whether or not it had a set of shots at six weeks, it is just as protected from parvo. The reason they do a series of shots is that they really do not know when this happens, for individual dogs it is different.

So that first set of shots between 6-8 weeks can be useless. But if the pup IS working under its own system that it is necessary. And after the shot, the dog needs time to build the antibodies. So, we should really get those shot days prior to taking the pup anywhere it will see other dogs/puppies. But I am starting to wait until seven weeks at least, that allows for some time for the shot to take if it will at all, and for me to see if there is any reaction to the shots prior to springing the pup on a new owner. That first week or two, they can do fine at home learning people and schedules. After the shot at 10-12 weeks, they should get out there, because the best socialization time is prior to 16 weeks.

[rustilldown]

I had the same question you did. Here is link to a thread I made when Emma was still getting her shots:

Socialization vs. Vaccines

I ended up taking her out and about after the 2nd shot, but for short periods of time and not where other dogs are frequent. We have neighbors with a small child which was great for the first few weeks for Emma's socialization. We also took Emma is controlled environements. My parent's in law have two dogs we know are healthy so we did that.

It is a tough call.... You mentioned not haveing your pup touch the ground. I know people who will sit outside a starbucks or something with their pup in their lap. This way they are always safe. Then you can let whoever you want pet them and the pup can look at the world from your lap!

[Elaine]

Socialization is so important at the earliest age possible. I took my dogs out the day after I got them at 8 weeks and walked them everywhere. The only precaution I took was to avoid high traffic dog areas.

[vat]

Selzer you are correct, the reason they do a series of shots is because they are not sure when the pups own system takes over. They could titer and get the same results.

My friend is a trainer and her opinion is more dogs die from not being socialized (sent to shelter) than die from getting sick. Of course you need to use common sense when they are young.