Walking a puppy on grass thats been exposed to possible other dogs?

Well my corgi is 9 weeks old and growing fast by the min!!!

He's full of energy and well playing with him indoors isnt enough since finals time for me and my g/f.

I want to give him walks to tire him out but im worried about him catching something from the grass since he only has his first set of shots in. I live in a apartment allows pets so people also walk their dogs on the grass around the complex.

Is it safe for my corgi pup to be walking around and possibly expose himself to other dog areas? Ive seen poop the size of king kong and smaller poops from smaller dogs. Im afraid he will sniff and possible get to close to them. Also I hear there are other things he can pick up from grass.

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Permalink Reply by Jane on December 5, 2011 at 11:18pm

I always avoided areas that were specifically for dogs but I think you could still take him other less frequented places to get a little exercise. We took our pups to a walking trail that allows dogs but doesn't see a lot of traffic.

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Permalink Reply by Judith Andre on December 5, 2011 at 11:18pm

Anna..I don't remember the exact time line...it's hard to say when or where he was exposed, but I understand that they are still vulnerable until a week? or so after they've had their last shots. I just sighted this incident as a way to warn people about Parvo.

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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on December 6, 2011 at 12:37am

Judith, it's more complex than that. Pups have carry over immunity from the mom (passed on through the first milk) if her immunity is high, which protects them. A rescue pup may have very little to begin with because the mom had little immunity to pass on. Shots given by the Vet don't do much until the immunity from the mom actually wears off, and no one can tell about one individual puppy (unless you run a titer). So the question is do you take a small chance on possible illness, with a vaccinated pup, or do you run the very high risk of poor socialization by not taking the puppy anywhere? Clearly it's a matter of opinion, but one can walk the middle line by opting to take the pup as many places as possible where there is not a high concentration of dogs or, worse, dog droppings.

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Permalink Reply by Mal Schaal on December 6, 2011 at 12:48am

I've gotten a humane society pup who died 2 days after we picked him up. Our vet tried to save him, but said he was probably weakened by being fixed. So when I brought home my Corgi puppy I went a little crazy! :)
I made all visitors spray a bleach/water solution on their hands and feet, and no dogs could visit. We had just moved into our house also, so I went thru and sprayed the mixture over every inch of the backyard. Just in case. If I took her anywhere, she was carried or set down on baby blankets.
I did say I went a little crazy! But losing a puppy to Parvo was so hard, I was so scared it would happen again. So I guess I'm suggesting that you be very cautious. Maybe take him to a friends house that has a yard?

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Permalink Reply by Kari & Quin on December 6, 2011 at 9:31am

I almost made my son spay his whole back yard with bleach before I visited with a new puppy also, parvo is scary stuff. but grass is the worst, next is dirt and then concrete, so if you have a choice walk him on the side walk it is less likely to hold the parvo germs. I didnt expose my pup to other dogs and people on purpose for socialization. I think she is fine she isnt scared of anything and isnt aggressive either. I think I would stay on the side of caution not excessive but stay away from the grass for now.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on December 6, 2011 at 10:15am

I want to be clear that I was specifically referring to the grass by the apartment. I WOULD carry pup to safer areas and have him get out and about, and after the 2nd set of shots I would start introducing him to other dogs too. The perils of lack of socialization are just as bad as the perils of disease and both must be weighed carefully against each other.

Keep in mind too that you can track Parvo in on your shoes from outside. Puppies can never leave their own house and still get sick.