Are most people in the UK pretty protective about their new puppies before they have gotten all of their shots? I ask because here in the USA, at least where I live in Vermont, it seems like no one is. I know many people who bring their dogs to the park for kids soccer games, etc...when the pup has only gotten 1 set of vaccines. I wonder if people are just uninformed? Or are there less chances of picking up a sickness here? Maybe less wild animals? I just dont know. I know over the summer a woman had her 9 week old chocolate lab at the park for baseball games. Kids, parents, etc...were oohing and ahhing over the puppy and petting it. Other peoples dogs were sniffing the puppy, etc...I recently visited my son's friend's family and they got a 9 week old Mastiff. The dog had no shots before coming to live with them and she brought it right away to get its 1st set of vaccinations, and then had it at the park for soccer. There are a ton of kids/families/dogs at the park at these times. I mentioned not bringing the dog out until later and she said the vet never told them that. We are getting a new puppy this weekend and I know people will expect to meet her right away. But I am paying enough money for this pup (alot!) that I dont want to risk anything. I might feel OK bringing her out after her 2nd set of shots, but I will mostly be holding her. So, just curious if thins are different on the other side of the pond or not?
Re: Outside before shots It is common to take them out to socialise, but with them being carried until at least 7-10 days after their second jab. I took Harley to the local pet shop, to work, to the local shops and to busy places, but carried her everywhere and would not let another dog get close incase they hadn't had their jabs.
Re: Outside before shots You might not be talking to a typical group of owners on the forum - people on here are super keen on seeing to the welfare of their dogs. I don't remember my family's dogs, years ago, staying in at all. Mind, I don't remember mopping up after puppies either, so guess mum did a lot of the care! ;D ;D ;D I did what I could to keep my pup safe, and minimised the risks. But not at the expense of cracking on with socialisation. So he went to puppy class, puppy parties, and was carried out and about just as much as I could manage. I also rushed to get the jabs done ASAP, so by 10 weeks we were running around in the park (I think others wait longer for jabs, but my vet was happy with this approach - I think he thinks lack of socialisation kills more dogs than things pups might catch).
Re: Outside before shots Ask your vet for her/his advice. Maybe you don't have many diseases there but I wouldn't count on it unless your vet says so. It would be sad for your little chocolate girl to catch something.
Re: Outside before shots Oh yeah, I am not saying I am going to be lax. Just that I notice alot of people are. I will talk to my vet and find out. Would the pup have to have direct contact with a sick dog or with dog poop from a sick dog?
Re: Outside before shots [quote author=cubby link=topic=8052.msg113575#msg113575 date=1412014539] Oh yeah, I am not saying I am going to be lax. Just that I notice alot of people are. I will talk to my vet and find out. Would the pup have to have direct contact with a sick dog or with dog poop from a sick dog? [/quote] The dog doesnt have to be "sick" it could be perfectly healthy but be a carrier. Also dog urine is more the issue, after all, we can pull our pup away from dog mess, but we cant see wee. Leptospirosis is spread through contaminated urine. I myslef have been imunised against it because of my old job.
Re: Outside before shots I carried Molly places before her shots. I think the best advice is to ask the Vet what is relevant in your area.
Re: Outside before shots I agree with Julie in that Forum posters are probably not representative of most UK dog owners. Having said that, around here, I don't think I am aware of many very young pups being out and about - although I don't frequent parks and places where loads of kids congregate with any regularity. I guess it is all about balancing risk. I am all for socialising pups early as possible but carrying the pup and keeping away from other dogs that are not known 100% to be vaccinated.
Re: Outside before shots We waited the full 7 days to take hollie out for 'walks' but had her out all the time being carried. Unfortunately some people see their dogs as just dogs and not part of the family so won't do the best for them. Good luck with the new pup
Re: Outside before shots Guide Dogs have three sets of shots, 6, 12 and 16 weeks then it's two weeks after that they can go to busy dog areas. They lost several to Parvo and are now ultra careful. They meet other Guide Dogs and that's all 'till 18 weeks. We carry them until 13 weeks. Gypsy had her first free run on grass today
Re: Outside before shots [quote author=Boogie link=topic=8052.msg113605#msg113605 date=1412019037] Gypsy had her first free run on grass today [/quote] You mean she didnt fly?
Re: Outside before shots I spoke with our vet the other week as I'm very new to all of this (we collect our first little pup, Bob, in just under 2 weeks time). She advised that she felt it was more important to socialise the puppy rather as early as possible rather than wait for the second booster jab. She said as long as you carry him, and are careful to avoid stagnant water and dogs we weren't sure of then we should be fine. She said to take him to as many new places as possible as the more he sees when he is very little, the better socialised he will be. I will be double checking all of this again when we take Bob in for his first jab in a couple of weeks, just to make sure I understood her correctly though, just to make sure! We have also booked him into some puppy training classes which start about 3 days after his first jab. Lou x
Re: Outside before shots [quote author=Loopyloo30 link=topic=8052.msg113640#msg113640 date=1412022392] I spoke with our vet the other week as I'm very new to all of this (we collect our first little pup, Bob, in just under 2 weeks time). She advised that she felt it was more important to socialise the puppy rather as early as possible rather than wait for the second booster jab. She said as long as you carry him, and are careful to avoid stagnant water and dogs we weren't sure of then we should be fine. She said to take him to as many new places as possible as the more he sees when he is very little, the better socialised he will be. I will be double checking all of this again when we take Bob in for his first jab in a couple of weeks, just to make sure I understood her correctly though, just to make sure! We have also booked him into some puppy training classes which start about 3 days after his first jab. Lou x [/quote] Agreed Lou - it's the carrying that matters. I used a second hand baby sling for Gypsy as they are heffalumps long before 12 weeks!
Re: Outside before shots I was under the impression is was a week after second jabs but when we took Lemmy yesterday she said another 14 days. He's a big puppy and as I'm disabled I can't carry him even my husband was struggling carrying him for vets visit. He'll be twelve weeks when he gets to go out properly I'm worrying he will be nervous as he's shy of my neighbors kids in garden but they are really shreaky and I've told them to be quiet and calm to get him to say hello he does go over but can see he's not sure. He was fine at vets saggy tails aplenty for nurses etc. Just wish we could get him out but lost a rescue dog to parvo years ago and wouldn't wish that on any animal so will just keep trotting around garden till then.
Re: Outside before shots Get the kids to quietly sit down at a distance and toss him treats Have them do that till he's happily come over to take a treat from their hand. Let him be the one to approach. They should sit, not move (other than to toss treats) and say nothing.
Re: Outside before shots My vet said 1 week after 2nd Jabs. So net weekend is gona be bouncers first walk.
Re: Outside before shots I think my vet said a week after the second jab which meant Chepi was 13 weeks. We had to get straight on to being with other dogs before the window shut! Only just made it. She was very nervous around dogs but I found a marvelous day care place where the owner took great pains to introduce her on our first visit; we were there 3 hours! Now she is confident and really sociable. But I realise we just got it sorted in time. I agree that socialising is massively important. I also agree that not putting your pup at risk with going out on the ground is massively important too. It's a difficult time.
