Pre-final vaccination/immunization socializing
I have read so much on puppy/dog training the past couple weeks that I probably can write my own book - even without the dog yet. In the Dog Whisperer early socialization is stressed and the potential for health risk before all vaccinations and immunizations is downplayed. Eight to fourteen weeks (as stated in the book) is the "primary socialization window". I'm confused. Any thoughts/imput on this would be appreciated - friend suggested visiting a couple friends w/dogs homes to socialize and wait for parks etc. until after final shots. Just throwing it out there -thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Corgi Mom on
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Yes, visiting known areas is best. That way you know that the homes & yards you visit will be of dogs who have been fully vaccinated. I agree with waiting until your puppy has had it's final boosters before bringing it to public areas such as parks, etc. My boss (I work for a vet) does the puppy shots in four sets. The third set is around the 12-week age point and includes the rabies vaccine. (It's by law here in Alabama) The final 4th set is the final Parvo booster shot and that is when your puppy will be fully protected from Parvo. Depending on the laws in your state your vet may have their puppy shots scheduled differently. It won't be much longer before you finally have your baby home. We're looking forward to seeing pictures of her when she gets to go home to be with you. :-)
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Permalink Reply by Sam on
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Our dog club goes with the 12 week scenario. If they have had the typical vaccines then they should be pretty well protected by that time. I also agree that it is best to visit known areas where you can feel good about the dogs there being vaccinated. Early socialization is so important as well as exposure to new environments. Best of luck with your new pal and bless your heart for knowing to be concerned and asking questions.
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Permalink Reply by Cindi on
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To piggy back on the others, do socialize! Even though your pup may not have all his shots, you can still socialize. If you have friends or kids in the neighborhood that are safe, you can invite them in to play with the puppy. Monitor this so that the play isn't rough.
As far as Cesar goes (and I may set off a flame war), you must be cautious and wise. His basic philosophy of exercise, discipline and affection in that order is right on target. However, most of what he does people should not try without the aid of a qualified trainer or animal behaviorist. There's so much more to know that what is shown on t.v.
Once your pup has his 2nd set of shots and is 10-12 weeks old, you might consider a puppy preschool class. If you have a PetSmart, we offer really great manners classes at a very reasonable price. You pup will be able to be with other people, dogs, animals and social situations, which are all part of socialization.
As a trainer, I have people every week who come to me and talk about their rescue being abused. Often, I can spend 5-15 minutes with them and know they weren't abused, but they were not socialized at all. The result is the same: fear and aggression. So be sure you don't create a "velcro dog."
If I can help, feel free to email me!
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Permalink Reply by Fay on
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Unfortunately our local Petco is looking for a trainer. I have signed up for puppy training classes at the Humane Society and am also playing phone tag with another group training situation (Perfect Puppy).
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Permalink Reply by Avyon on
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I agree with whats been said.
Though personally I would take the route where I would avoid big dog social areas such as dog parks and gathering and just keep with the known areas. Parks and such can pull in bad owners (sadly) who still take their pets even when they know they have illnesses that can spread to other animals. If you take your pet to a friend's place or somewhere you fully know will be ok, then you're clear on not worrying about the "what ifs"
Its ALWAYS a good to socialize your animal any chance you get though. The more they see and learn, the better they are in uncertain situations :)
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Permalink Reply by Nicole on
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"Parks and such can pull in bad owners (sadly) who still take their pets even when they know they have illnesses that can spread to other animals."
I completely agree - and also the owners who think it's free time and they don't bother to watch their dogs. I know it's nice to meet new people and talk, but it's so terrible when a dog is constantly picking on another, and the owner is nowhere to be seen.
I agree with what I think everyone else has said. Socialize your dog with kids you know and with dogs that you know have had their shots. Monitor the "sessions" so as to teach your pup how to properly deal with a child who perhaps pets too roughly :o)
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Permalink Reply by Ju Lo on
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I just finished reading "Before & After Getting Your Puppy" by Ian Dunbar, and in it he says that it's the socialization with people that is crucial in the first 12 weeks, rather than the dog-dog socialization (which he says is less urgent). Now he tends to be a bit dramatic in the book, so I take his advice that the puppy should meet 100 different people in the first 12 weeks with a bit of a grain of salt. But I think it is still good advice to have your puppy meet as many different people (men, women, children, people with beards, hats, etc.) as possible.
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Permalink Reply by Charlie on
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If you have never taken a dog through puppy kindergarten (PK), I would be inclined to take the health risk (unless there are extenuating circumstances). The puppies should have proof of being current on vaccinations, so it should be relatively safe. They will train you on the basics of training the puppy the right way, the trainer can help you with specific problems, and the socialization is quite valuable. Everything I learned in puppy kindergarten with my last dog, I trained with Charlie in the backyard. We did miss the socialization aspect of PK, but one of our area animal shelters had adopted out four (reported) puppies with parvovirus, so I felt like the risk was too big to take him to a public class before he was fully immunized. Every surviving dog from that shelter had been exposed to parvo, so I considered that an "extenuating circumstance".
If you have trained dogs before, you can train the puppy basic skills at home. If you have friends with well-behaved, immunized dogs, then definitely take advantage of that. Charlie and I have frequently visited with our next door neighbors' two dogs since I brought him home. After immunizations, we joined a Small Dog meetup group to meet other dogs at the park.
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The parvo scare has really been freaking me out. I enrolled Lexi in a "Perfect Puppy" school that starts puppies at the 12th week, just as soon as I got off the phone giving my credit card info for $200.00 for the class my UPS man came in a told me about one of his boxer puppies that got parvo about a month ago. The dog survived, but at quite an emotional and financial cost. They only take 4 - 12 puppies in the class and it's indoors, but even so I am not so sure I made the correct decision.
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I didn't mean to scare you with the parvo story. What happened here was very, very rare. I don't know what happened at the animal shelter that caused them to be adopting out parvo puppies. It made local TV/radio news though. All I could figure was that their experienced staff must have walked out. I don't know, it was weird and not a normal situation.
You should be ok with your class. A phone call to your vet might help. They could let you know if there has been any unusual outbreak of parvo in your town, and if they think that the Perfect Puppy class would be relatively safe.
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Your posting did not scare me (at least not that alone). It was another posting from the other day (can't find the name now) that made me so sad and then the UPS man and I think there was one other. Good idea to call the vet - I know in September there was an outbreak at a shelter about 30 minutes from here and many folks that live there commute regularly to our town.
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You'll have to use your good judgment (and maybe the vet's advice on any recent outbreaks). I think the incubation for parvo is 4-14 days, so a September shelter outbreak shouldn't be a concern.
Puppy class really is fun and rewarding for both you and your pup. I would have liked to have taken Charlie, but I have quite a bit of dog training experience and we do have friends with healthy dogs for socialization.
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