When can my new puppy socialize?
My puppy will be coming to me with whatever vax's 8 week old puppies usually have. I am terrified of something bad happening, like my puppy getting Parvo and dying or whatever. I seriously have nightmares. Parvo has been a problem out in our area in seems like lately. The shelters are always dealing with entire litters of Parvo puppies. Usually they all die. I kind of understand that Parvo is picked up from other dogs? From the ground too, right? Like any new mommy, I want to show off my girl. I want to show her to my derby kids (the rink is just right beside the dog park I should add, though I don't plan on taking her in there any time soon), I want to take her to the park, etc. In other words, I want to be with her, socialize her with loads of people and other dogs etc. I know she'll need a bit of time to adjust to home life before I start taking her places - but how long? I'm soooo confused. I see these threads about not vaxing your dogs so much, etc, and at the same time, I just want to do what's right for my dog. I'm not sure how to reconcile what my vet says, vs. some of the info I've read here and other places. Heeeeeeeelp! |
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| We had Dahlia in puppy playgroup at 8 weeks old. This was a controlled environment where all puppies had to give paperwork about what vaccines they already had. It is a risk, but, a small one. The risk of not socializing, I felt was worse in this circumstance. I would socialize your puppy but in a smart way. Stay away from highly traveled places where dogs go. You can take her with you, but, if you take her...don't have her play in a grassy spot where lots of animals have been. We did the 100 different people, 100 different places and 100 different things in the 1st 100 days.... This worked well for us. We also introduced Dahlia to all kinds of sounds early on.... Tractor, leaf blower, toilet flusing, shower, cabinet doors slamming... you name it... we introduced it. There is virtually nothing she is scared of.... except, she hates the gate if we lock her in the bedroom or close off a room. She absolutely stands away from it which is good bec/ that is what I want her to do....and she doesn't like the sound of the garbage can rolling down the rocky driveway, but, we are working on that one. Good luck! It is a good to have a socialized dog---just be smart about it! |
| No dog park until she is fully immunized for Parvo......nope, nada, don't do it. Someone here used to carry their puppy outside for business calls because of the coyotes in the area spreading parvo......no sheepdog feet were touching the ground that might be contaminated. Might I also suggest carrying her into the vet's office for visits....until she gets too big. Recently I went to the vet and dog before us was given the snap test for parvo and tested positive.............so the reception room floor was immediately washed....but not before one of my dogs had entered. Puppy classes would be better but check to make sure they require proof of vaccinations for all participants......4 pawed. A few 2 pawed could use some rabies shots, IMHO. You have the coworker with a sheepdog, there's a beginning. I've contacted Barbara for you.....there are 2 more sheepdogs. |
| Ask your vet. But I will tell you that my vet says not to take them too many public places until around 16 weeks. In the mean time, you can have people come to your house to visit your pup as well as family/friends dogs that you KNOW are up to date on their shots. |
| My vet said 16 weeks as well. Before then, no dog park, no PetSmart, no groomers, no formal puppy training, etc. When Oscar was a puppy, the only dogs he was allowed around were those of family members and friends, dogs I knew had been fully vaccinated. Oscar has an autoimmune disorder which makes him susceptible to all manner of cooties. I've never been a fan of dog parks or taking him to PetSmart, for a variety of reasons, but now he doesn't even go to the groomer. Matter of fact, my vets tall me that the worse place he could possibly go is....... their office.  Bottom line, everywhere we go presents risks. You'll have to decide how crazy you want to make yourself!  As far as vaccinating goes, here's my take. In the future, when we get a puppy, I will vaccinate according to the accepted protocol of that time. I trust my vets, and I know they will follow science and the most recent studies available to protect my puppy. Due to Oscar's autoimmune issues, we no longer vaccinate him, but titer test instead. If his levels are high enough to protect him from the diseases, we do not vaccinate. However, the only reason we are able to do this with Oscar is because of herd immunity, which the general canine population acquires from vaccinations. Also, he received all of his recommended puppy vaccines, so this is what allows him to have the immunity in the first place. For dogs with healthy immune systems, which I believe is most dogs, vaccinations serve a very important function in keeping our beloved companions from contracting and sharing terrible illnesses. I have changed my position somewhat on this from when Oscar was first diagnosed. But after reading more about it (thank you Mad Dog), and talking to my vets, I realized that I had to base my decision on science. Hope this is helpful. Laurie and Oscar |
| Thank you guys! Maybe we'll have a "welcome home party" so that the people who want to meet her right away can come see her at the house. Above all, I want her to be safe and healthy - and given that our roller derby track is literally right next to the dog park, I won't take her to practice with us until she is fully vax'd up. She'd probably be ok, given that the gate to the track is locked unless we're there, and dogs are never in there, but I can't be 100% sure. |
Did you say "roller derby"? Now I am intrigued!!!!!  Loved the movie "Whip It"! Laurie and Oscar |
| Start lining up playdates with dogs that you know well, but ask to make sure that they are up to date with shots. Even with family and friends, you should ask. People do forget. As for the roller derby, David and I attended our first ever a couple of months ago. A friend at the dog park is a member of the Slaughter Daughters. It was SO MUCH FUN!! Just pure silly fun, but at the same time you admire the skill, the athleticism and most of all the strategy. I had no idea! So this is yet another thing that having a dog has introduced into our lives. |
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