Well, obviously ... duuuh ... but I'm thinking about one couple in particular. They have a show lab themselves, but I just found out yesterday that he's not vaccinated at all. He's strong and healthy by all appearances, but I'm concerned that he may have something that can be passed on to Willow that they bring in on their shoes/clothes? Obviously, I won't let Willow meet Buster until she's completely covered by her vaccinations, but what about his humans? Is it too small a risk to worry about?
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? Personally I think it's a small risk, but it can't hurt to call your vet and ask advice.
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? Things like Parvo are highly contagious and I'm sure it can be past around via human shoes and clothes etc, if you are worried ask your vet. You can't check every person that comes into contact with your little pup but because you know about this if somerthing did happen it would be awful
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? You do 100% right to keep Willow away from any unvaccinated dog , until she has completed her programme, but I do think that the risk from the owner is very minimal indeed . Having said that , I understand your dilemma , I think I would be just the same in these circumstances , so maybe if in doubt, err to caution for now .
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? On one hand, I'm very wary, but on the other, I wonder if the risk is any greater than that of us bringing something nasty in on our shoes or clothes ourselves? If he was a sickly dog, it would be a no-brainer, but he is the picture of health and boisterousness (as a very large, very untrained show variety, a little bit of boisterous behaviour goes a long way!). I don't know enough about parvo etc to know if there's such a thing as a carrier without showing any signs and so on. Time to do some reading, methinks.
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? It's very difficult - you can certainly bring Parvo in on your own shoes and clothes (we had a shoes off outside policy, but whether it did any good...) although I think distemper is harder to transmit. Unless the dog is ill, it seems an unlikely increased risk though. I suppose you are worried that the dog might be in an incubation period for developing a disease? I don't know what the risk there would be... [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=8299.msg117228#msg117228 date=1413463564] (as a very large, very untrained show variety, a little bit of boisterous behaviour goes a long way!). [/quote] In working line dogs too - untrained, large, and boisterous spreads across the spectrum of labradors.
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=8299.msg117236#msg117236 date=1413466473] [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=8299.msg117228#msg117228 date=1413463564] (as a very large, very untrained show variety, a little bit of boisterous behaviour goes a long way!). [/quote] In working line dogs too - untrained, large, and boisterous spreads across the spectrum of labradors. [/quote] Haha, yes, you're right - it's more the fact that he is MASSIVE. He's a lovely natured dog, as most labs are, but with no manners and no awareness of his own body at all. I really want to have a go with my clicker. Hark at me, two weeks of looking after a pup and I think I'm the dog whisperer!
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? Personally I didn't allow Harley meet one of my friends until she had all her vacs and was clear to go out. It was because her husky hadn't been vaccinated and I knew he had lots of dippy tummies over the previous few months so was extra wary. I think the decision is yours at the end of the day and what you feel comfortable with
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? NO. I wouldn't . When I collected my pup from the breeder we had to step in a foot and mouth type, kill all bacteria dip. There's a reason for that. When I took her for her jabs I wouldn't allow other dogs owners (who where at the vets because their dogs were ill) stroke her at all. Very cautious I know but it's too late to cry over spilt milk. Gosh I must sound strict!
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? There is a balance to be struck here - restricting your puppy from even being petted by strangers (unless you are going to interview everyone about whether they have a dog and whether it has been vaccinated or patted one on the way to the train station/supermarket etc where you are stood to socialise your puppy) means that a key part of the socialisation window is going to be over before you even get started. There is an article here that weighs up the pros and cons of this: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppies-is-it-safe-to-take-your-puppy-out/
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? [quote author=Leanangle link=topic=8299.msg117299#msg117299 date=1413481048] Unvaccinated? I am at a loss for words. [/quote] Why?
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=8299.msg117304#msg117304 date=1413481354] [quote author=Leanangle link=topic=8299.msg117299#msg117299 date=1413481048] Unvaccinated? I am at a loss for words. [/quote] Why? [/quote] Even my kids get vaccinations, why not a dog? Sorry I dont get it.
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? Oh, I see. I think I saw a YouGov survey that put the percentage of dogs that are not vaccinated at about 50% - or at least it was surprisingly high anyway. It'll be in the animal well-being report somewhere...
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? Here, the percentage would be a lot higher than 50%. People don't tend to care for their animals here (including France and Spain) as much as they do in the UK. Spending any kind of money on them is considered mad. I was talking to a Spanish woman (new girlfriend of a friend) when we first brought Willow home, and said how she was really cheap compared to the UK because the breeder was in France (originally from the UK) and the French wouldn't pay for even a pedigree dog. She was appalled I'd paid even what little I had - her words being "Where I'm from, if we want a dog, we take it in off the street. When we don't want it anymore, we put it back.". I was at a loss for words!
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? Also, I guess there must be people who are anti vaccinations for their dogs in the same way as some are for their kids. I guess those people are entitled to their opinions, even if they differ from mine.
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=8299.msg117324#msg117324 date=1413485318] Here, the percentage would be a lot higher than 50%. People don't tend to care for their animals here (including France and Spain) as much as they do in the UK. Spending any kind of money on them is considered mad. I was talking to a Spanish woman (new girlfriend of a friend) when we first brought Willow home, and said how she was really cheap compared to the UK because the breeder was in France (originally from the UK) and the French wouldn't pay for even a pedigree dog. She was appalled I'd paid even what little I had - her words being "Where I'm from, if we want a dog, we take it in off the street. When we don't want it anymore, we put it back.". I was at a loss for words! [/quote] Words fail me again. Bitting my lip here.
Re: Should I let my friends meet my puppy? [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=8299.msg117325#msg117325 date=1413485405] Also, I guess there must be people who are anti vaccinations for their dogs in the same way as some are for their kids. I guess those people are entitled to their opinions, even if they differ from mine. [/quote] Sad but true. I am 100% pro-vaccination. It's not only the best way to protect your pets (and children) but it is also the socially responsible thing to do.
