Shots and socializing...

[TankGrrl66]

I'm taking my new puppy to get what I presume would be her first set of shots (she is a rescue).

When am I in the clear to start taking her places? After the last set? I have no issue, jsut want her to be safe

I want to make sure she is VERY well socialized. Should I just get her used to things inside my home?

What have you all used that has worked?

[Verivus]

The minute my 8 week old came home we were out and about everyday to places with infrequent doggy traffic.

[elisabeth_00117]

Originally Posted by Verivus

The minute my 8 week old came home we were out and about everyday to places with infrequent doggy traffic.

Same.

I also allowed him to play with dogs I know are healthy and have no behavioural problems.

Low doggy traffic areas and I was a little crazy and would wipes paws with a baby wipe (all natural) afterwards... lol.

[ChancetheGSD]

I take my baby everywhere and she plays with dogs I know. If I go to places like pet stores, I keep her in the cart with a towel in the bottom. I carry a bottle of hand sanitizer as well to let people clean their hands before handling her.

[ChancetheGSD]

Though I guess I should mention when I say "every where" I don't mean places like dog parks. Lol! If it's a place where dogs often are, I hold her or put her in a cart. Once she's had her 3rd set of shots I'll let her walk around more places.

[TankGrrl66]

These are really good ideas that I will use. For some reason I was thinking if she went outside...BOOM parvo, lol.

I know the best places to go are ones with a lot of different people...different terrains, noises, colors, sounds...

How much of this can she handle at about 3mos? How much exercise too?

[neiltus]

Let's see. I live in a very populated city (Dallas) in a neighborhood with a ton of dogs, cats, feral cats, coyotes, raccoons, possum, etc.

I have a 4 month old, so far she has been to the car shop, my office, wife's office, numerous starbucks and pet supply places, our park, another park, a puppy OB class with about a dozen dogs (started at 10 weeks), 2 different private trainers 2x a week, walks outside, etc.

I have no issues taking her to an OB class with other dogs when she only had her first series.

You need to socialize your dog...end of story. The problems you will have from non-socialization prior to 20 weeks of age dwarf the probability of your puppy getting parvo or something like that.

I also think it is kinda funny that chance makes people sanitize their hands prior to handling their dog. I don't expect human sickness to vector to dogs that easily, nor do I frequent places where humans are running around with hookworm...IMO this is a bit drastic.

[neiltus]

oh, no running till 1 year of age if your a jogger.

[ChancetheGSD]

I live off hand sanitizer myself. I know it's not going to solve everything but it makes me feel better in my head. LOL!!

Parvo and stuff can be tracked in on your clothes, hands, shoes, ect. That's why I ask people to do it. Of course, there is always the chance the dog could still get it but I too feel that the worry of not socializing enough is higher than the chances of parvo. I feel if the dogs going to get it, they're going to get it. I had a dog who never left our yard get it years ago. This dog didn't socialize with people outside our home, didn't socialize with dogs, didn't go on walks...She just lived in our backyard. She became very ill and when we took her to the vet we found out it was parvo. (She did survive though) I do still take a couple of precautions anyways.

To each their own I guess. They asked what everyone does and I mentioned what I do. If they don't want to go that far then that's fine. Just like if someone wants to continue letting their 6 week old puppy go to the dog park or walk around in pet stores then that is their choice.

[Elaine]

Originally Posted by neiltus

oh, no running till 1 year of age if your a jogger.

So not true. This is a myth.