Hi guys, Gunner has been home with us for just over two weeks now. We got him at 8 weeks old and he received his first vaccination on 22nd of September. His second vaccination was 5th of October. From my previous experience of dogs, I thought that one week after his second injection he would be allowed out in the wider world. However the vet advised me that Gunner would require a THIRD injection and therefore won't be allowed out until 26th October. Is this a new way of vaccinations? We (mistakenly) assumed that Gunner would be allowed out by 12th October. My partner works away, but during his time home he has been staying in the house with dog (and carrying him about to experience different environments/socialise), and once my partner goes back to work I planned on taking the dog to work with me - however this throws or plans slightly as my partner goes back to work before 26th! My work place is not on a main road, and is mostly used by wholesalers so don't know how safe it will be to let gunner out to do his business! Any info/advice? Sorry for the lengthy post! I'm just rather overwhelmed!
We were using a different Vet when Oban was a puppy and got the same surprise as you, must wait two weeks after the last shot before going to dog intensive places. I don't know if protocol changed or it was the different Vet or if there was an upsurge in Parvo or something between pups. Anyway, we always did go outside to potty and even met up with dogs we knew in places little used by other dogs. I'm in a rural area, this is much harder to do in an urban setting with lots of dogs walking by. I guess what you need to do is find out how used by other dogs the walk to your workplace is. Personally, if few dogs walk there I would take the pup but in our case I did check with our Board of Health to see what incidence reports were for disease. My first Lab puppy did get Parvo at six months old. She was fully vaccinated but it can happen. We nearly lost her. Despite our horrible experience I did not want socialization and habituation to cede completely to concern about disease. This is a personal decision only you can make but I suggest a conversation with your breeder, VEt and local health stats might help you.
Phone your vet and see if there is any parvo etc about. If not, it will probably be OK but only you can make this decision. I took my ten week old pup to puppy classes and he walked on the grass to the class, but first of all I checked with my vet about any diseases about.
Another vote for a chat with your vet here. They are in the best position to advise you on what is happening local to you and make a risk assessment accordingly.
