New pupppy - 2nd injections

[Silverlining]

We are collecting our new puppy on 2 January - bit later than planned due to Christmas and travelling which the breeder offered us. She is giving him his first injection and we need to get the 2nd - when I rang the vets to book him in she said I was leaving it late as he will be 12 weeks old exactly and will be missing out on socialising.... Should i be worried? Not sure how I can get around this if thats the case - any advice v welcome!

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

I'm in the same boat, rescue puppy so injections a bit later than normal. I'm socialising her...taking her to pick my daughter up from school/ballet, walks to the end of the road to see the buses, lots of visitors, vaccinated dogs visiting...I'm carrying her in a sling when I go out, get funny looks but don't care! She gets her 2nd jabs this week and she is nearly 13 weeks.

[Booboostwo]

Ideally puppies should be socialised as much as possible until the fear window closes at 14wks, so yes you are leaving yourselves very little time. What has the breeder said about this? Any decent breeder should have flagged this up and discussed what they are willing to do to socialise.the puppy while they have her.

I always take mine out as soon as I get them at 8wks but keep them away from other dogs and fox poo. I carry them in backpacks or similar and let them down in safe areas so they can see as much of the world as possible.

[SilverLining]

Oh thankyou - that's good to hear - so I can still socialise him like you are! Was worried I was creating a whole host of problems for the rest of his life!! Sounds like we should be ok!! Thank you!

[SilverLining]

Oh no - I wasn't aware of this fear window - I'll go back to the breeder and see what she says but she's been great so far - thanks for replying!

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

It's fine, you'll just have to carry him about. He'll still see cars, bikes, children, etc.

[villainousbroodmare]

As long as you stay out of heavy dog traffic areas and he's had his first vacc, you are unlikely to have problems. Socialise away!

[SilverLining]

Thank you both - that's really reassuring to hear - I'm sure this won't be the last of my questions.....!!!

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Fire away. We've all been there.

[Booboostwo]

Puppies need to stay with their mums until at least 6wks otherwise they run the risk of having problems with other dogs.

Then from about 8wks to 14wks you have a window of opportunity to introduce them to as many things as possible as anything they meet these weeks they are unlikely to be afraid of for the rest of their lives. The puppy should see cars, bicycles, trains and city lights and sounds, it should see open fields, cows, sheep, horses, pigs and the countryside, it should meet as many new people a day as possible, wearing hats, carrying umbrellas, using walking sticks, and especially children and the noises they make, it should be exposed to household sounds like the TV, dishwasher, Hoover, etc. basically anything you can think of expose the puppy to it.

Please talk to the breeder about this and be weary of him putting you off. Early socialisation is crucial for having a well adjusted dog. And before anyone shares their story of their under socialised dog that is doing fine now, of course there are exceptions to the rule and of course the risk of future problems is statistical and not absolute.

[Chrisalice]

Having spent the last months raising an adoptee who missed out on socialisation I second what Booboostwo says. Hopefully the breeder has been doing much of the work as they grow and maybe she would accept an additional sum to do more socialisation? If the others leave at 8 weeks she might have the time... Hopefully also puppy has a confident disposition, the genes of well adjusted parents and a mum who sets a good example. I'd call and discuss your concerns, if they can reassure you then you can just look forward to the 2nd and get on with stockpiling puppy toys and sleep!

[SilverLining]

Thank you again - good points well made! My breeder has a toddler who she has sent me photos of her cuddling them all today - they are in her home which my her own description is a busy, noisy house with many dogs around so I am fairly confident in her as a breeder - as much as I can be obviously!
All being well he will be out and about from 13 weeks and is already booked on puppy classes and countless visitors already booking in to come and see him so I'm optimistic it will be ok! Fingers crossed! But I do appreciate all your comments - thank you!

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

Just found out my pup can't go out for a walk for another 3 weeks as the rescue had a different vaccination schedule so she has missed out on some - that means she will be about 15 weeks by then! Quite difficult as I think walks would be good to burn off some energy. We have a garden but it is not very big so she can't get up a good run. I think she is possibly getting a bit bored. I need to find some people with vaccinated dogs so she can go and play in their gardens. She is already over 6kg so quite heavy to lug around!

[villainousbroodmare]

I'd go and find a field or some quiet woods or secluded beach or somewhere that's not a filthy dog thoroughfare and let her gallop a bit.

[Booboostwo]

Pop her in a buggy.

[JoffreyBaratheon]

Our pup came from the Dogs Trust ad they gave us a copy of the Puppy Socialisation Plan, I just found it online here:

www.thepuppyplan.com/

Pup was 9 weeks old so came to us with certain boxes ticked, and we had to complete. I found it really helpful.

Breeders should know about this as the Kennel Club endorse it as well.

If pup is behind schedule, I would still follow this as a handy guideline.

[SilverLining]

Thats great JoffreyBaratheon - really helpful!
Poor you TinkyWinky - hope you can manage to get her out and about!!