Vaccinations

Hi Guys,

Maybe I am letting impatience get the better of me, but I am desperate to let Baxter out with Basil, and I am looking for some practical advice. I suspect "better safe than sorry" is the best policy, but I feel I should ask anyway

Baxter, had his FIRST vaccination the week before we collected him. So his first vaccination, roughly a month ago.

We were told by the breeder to take the vaccination card to the vet, in a weeks time, for the 2nd part. We did, and the vet decided the puppy was too small to be vaccinated and told us to "come back in a week". At this point, he "started the whole process again", so he got his 2nd vaccination on Monday, only a few days ago.

He is going to get his THIRD vaccination on Monday 18th, and then, a week later, we can take him out.

I am worried that he is missing out on vital puppy time and socialising time, as a result.

I have access to a private park in city centre EDI, it costs hundreds of pounds per year to access, and is under lock and key. It is popular with dog walkers, I often see one or two people with a dog on any given day.

In short, Baxter had his first vaccination at 8/9ish weeks old, his 2nd at 12 weeks old, and his 3rd, will be when he is approx 14 weeks old.

So in short, safe or not to take him to a private park?

Please bear in mind that Basil has been out and about and mixing with Baxter since day one.

Gary.

Gary, there is lots of evidence that the socialization is so important that you should find safe ways for him to get the exposure that he needs. What I did with mine (besides letting them play with the dogs I already had) was to get them together with friends who had dogs I knew were friendly and vaccinated. I would bring them over to the other dog's homes to also let them experience the new places and people. I also took them for lots of car rides in the beginning and let them meet lots of people. (like while picking up my children from after school activities, etc).
My two cavs are very socially adjusted. I am glad I did so, too because Lizzie was very painfully shy at first and constantly having her meet new people and dogs helped stop her from shaking and hiding from new people and dogs to happily going forward to meet them, though she still remains more reserved with dogs. Had I not done so, she might be a very different dog right now (and not in a good way)

I agree wth brotymo - puppies need to get this exposure and if they don't they can devolop proplems in the future (some, are prefectly adjusted, but often times they are not and can be a bit socially stunted because of this). It's great that he has been with your other dog since day one (build up a bond and also get some socalisation) but he really does need to be exposed to plenty of different situations while he is still young and his little mind is like a sponge.

Asking someone you know (and their dog, of course!) to meet you guys on a walk near where you live to simulate the actual event is a good idea. Have people and their dogs come to the house to have a play session is also great and it's in a nice safe place. The more things you can expose him to the better, but do it in a controled situation so that if anything does happen he doesn't get turned off by it, and so that he feels safe and confident if it happens again.

As far as the private park is concerned, it really is your call and up to your judgement. Plenty of "well to do" people with very healthy dogs have not had them fully vaxed (and vice versa of course) so simpley because it is a very nice place doesn't mean that it is bug free (unfortunately!).

I'd avoid the dog park or anywhere unkonwn dogs go frequently. Parvo can live in the environment for YEARS, which is one reason why it is so risky to expose your dog to places like dog parks before they are vaccinated.

I had this exact concern with Lucy and I actually think that I waited too long to get her out and socialize her with other dogs. I am lucky that she loves other dogs for the most part but I do think that part of her going crazy barking on the leash stems from not socializing her enough as a young puppy. With Charlie Brown, I discussed this with my vet and she said it is fine to meet with other dogs, just ask the owners if their dog has been vaccinated. She did say no to dog parks though because Parvo virus can live for years even in the dirt and no socializing with unvaccinated dogs/puppies.

Unfortunately one of the main ways parvo is transmitted is through the soles of shoes, via the pavements, which is why we are told not to take puppies out for walks until fully vaccinated - not just to avoid unvaccinated dogs. However, there is no reason why you can't carry your puppy around with you - take it to the shops, on buses, sit on a bench so that it can watch the world go by from your lap, let people come and say hello. If you want to be ultra-cautious, get friends visiting with vaccinated dogs to walk over a cloth soaked in disinfectant as they enter the house. We had an outbreak of parvo in my street a few years back - within a week 2 puppies and an older dog had died, all unvaccinated, all kept at home and not taken out for walks - but their owners unwittingly brought the infection into the house.

Kate, Oliver and Aled

I second what Brotymo and Kate said -- I "hyper" socialized Holly and now have a wonderful dog with an outstanding temperment. I literally carried her everywhere -- either in my arms or in her Sherpa. She accompanied us in the car on daily outings. I made sure she met lots of people, saw (but not necessarily made contact with) other dogs, and was exposed to all kinds of noises. I even carried her over to meet the electric company repairmen one night when our power went out I was really cautious, though. I carried baby wipes and/or hand sanitizer which I asked people to use when they asked to pet Holly.

It seemed like I had Dan under my arm for weeks, but this is how he became used to children and cars, men with beards, people wearing floppy hats, pushchairs, bicycles and virtually everything on the socialization check list that you need to get them used to when they are vulnerable and can't be walked anywhere.

I did the same with my other Cav, Bailey and by the time they had their last shot, they were very confident, happy go lucky fur balls

The 10 week to 16 week period is such a short time and the more you do during this time the better for socialization.

My Darling Murphy who I didn't adopt until 6 months old is still playing catch up, especially with other dogs. It is hard work getting him socialized now and it is going to take quite some time I'm told.

It's so easy to pop them under your arm when they are little and get them out and about and they just love it.

Good Luck

Agree with all that you should take your pup with you wherever you go except parks with other dogs. Our breeder had taken our Abigail to a nearby shopping mall and everywhere that dogs were allowed. We have followed her lead. At first Abigail was very shy and some what scared of the supply store where we buy her food. Today, when we took her, she couldn't wait to get inside to meet and greet customers and workers.

Heather R

Unfortunately one of the main ways parvo is transmitted is through the soles of shoes, via the pavements, which is why we are told not to take puppies out for walks until fully vaccinated - not just to avoid unvaccinated dogs.

Click to expand...

Absolutely. Do NOT take a partially vaccinated puppy outside on the ground for a walk to meet other dogs (which can definitely mean the pup has NO immunity to killer diseases like parvo and disptemper -- in rescue we see puppies die *all the time* from exposure to this so do not underestimate the risk!!!). Stick with indoor meetings with vaccinated dogs but be aware even then there is a risk those dogs will carry in parvo or distemper.... those organisms live for months and months even in freezing weather on grass, pavement etc as Kate H says. But I'd def try to socialise a pup anyway indoors with safe dogs, and also carry the pup to meet people and dogs outside. Eeven an older puppy will get plenty of exposure though if the pup was with its mother and siblings til ideally 10-12 weeks to start with. Sadly a lot of breeders will home at what I consider (and most reputable breeders consider) too young an age -- 6-8 weeks -- which means the pup misses weeks of good socialising with siblings/mum. Still most puppies are innately friendly and a late start doesn't matter all that much, the majority of the time. The best adjusted puppies I have ever met, whatever the breed or mix, are those where the breeder keeps them to 9-12 weeks so they get a major head start on being socialised, meeting people, and housetraining.