socialising little puppy before final jab with other dogs?

[RTKangaSANTAMummy]

Can they catch anything from other dogs who are themselves fully vaccinated but that have been in contact with non vaccinated dogs at the park or woods etc?

In other words can my friend's dog who IS fully vaccinated carry germs on their fur or feet or skin that would harm a puppy that had only had first set of injections?

She says that she thinks that her dog can carry germs etc. from other dogs to my puppy

What do you guys think?

btw I am on dial-up so will be back later

Hello

Anybody out there???????

The risk to your puppy from vaccinated dogs is mimimal. Vets usually say it is fine for puppies to mix with vaccinated dogs. Some puppies are immune before vaccination anyway.

Most people with existing dogs still walk them when they have a new puppy, I certainly do.

I would personally do it, because socialisation is far mor eimportant than the tiny risk. If you're not sure, why not ring your vet and ask?

I'm a guide dog puppy walker and although we don't take the pup out on a walk before it gets fully vax we do take them out and about - just carrying them. We also socialise with dogs we know are fine, if your friend's dog is fully vax then it should be fine for them to meet and greet. It will be a good experience for your pup.

Does your vet do a "puppy party"?

Technically other dogs even if vaccinated could carry some of the diseases on their feet but then again so could the owner who has been walking in doggy areas.

Obviously I do not walk my puppy out at this stage but I do allow them to meet socially behaved dogs. I do say that I do risk it. If the puppy has been born to a vaccinated mother and as my puppies always live with other dogs who are vaccinated but do go out for walks.

I am not medically trained though so I do not know of the balance of risk but socialisising is so important in that 8 -12 week stage that I am prepared to take the risk.

Does anyone know of the extent of risk of infection to the puppies?

Deffo brill news

Thanks

I am about to be a guide dog puppy walker 2 weeks today!!!!!!!!!!

But I wanted to ask MNetters opinions cos I am going out to dinner with my friend tonight

I will obviously go with what my supervisor says she wants me to do with the puppy but I wanted to know opinions for tonight

Thanks

Worth speaking to your vet Kanga as parvo etc can flare up in particular areas so you need to know what your local situation is.
You must be getting very excited now

Cool RTKM and welcome to the pack! Okay this is going to get me certified but for the first few weeks I use one of these. It means I can take him (I usually have boys) out and used to being in shops and things very early on. Plus it is lovely to have a snuggly little pup close to you.

Do you know what you are getting yet ? My last two have been lab/goldie mixes so they look like what people expect guide dogs to! I have an 8 month old at the moment and am looking after a little one until his home is ready.

DEFFO BRILL THANKS!!!!!!!!!

I will ask my friend to ask her vet cos she lives 100 miles away from us

Our puppy is a little black female lab/retriver cross and she will be just over 7 weeks

I love the carrier but I am rather voluptuous so not sure it would fit me

How long is the hair in your lab/retriver crosses?

Which do they look more like? Lab or retrivers?

We have built the pens in the gardens so we are nearly ready

I've just popped a photo of him on my profile RTKM.

And I'm a size 18 so if the carriers fit me then they can fit anyone! But you can get them cheap second hand.

My previous pup looked more lab but this one is definitely more like a goldie in the face. Is yours speckled? They are so cute with the little dots of gold on their legs!

really cute photos

I think she is plain black perhaps we will see some photos on Wednesday when Supervisor comes with all the stuff

What did you have to buy for the puppy?

BED or BOWLS or anything else?

I will think about the carrier then ~ but I am even more voluptious than size 18

You'll be given two crates, one for home and one for the car. They need the pups to be crate trained for their spell in kennels during the next part of their training. Buy a bed or large cushiony thing for when she is about 7 months and the crate is put away. By then you'll know if your girl likes beds or prefers a rug on the floor (I've seen the fancy kennels up in Forfar, heated floors and everything - very swish!)

You also get provided with leashes and collars, buy a tag with your details on it as their tag only has her computer number and their phone number. Your tag needs your address and phone number on it. They'll also supply you with frontline and worming and a handy letter with all the dates when they need to be applied and when she needs to go for her vax. There'll be a green booklet for the vet, it is a good idea to always have the next sheet filled in so the vet just needs to put their details and reason for visit. Saves time when the pup is pulling for the door! You don't need to pay upfront for the vet as they send the page from the booklet with their invoice.

Both mine have been on Royal Canin food and although you have to pay when you phone you get the allowance in your bank usually at the beginning of the month and it is more than enough (I take it as money for the food and treats and toys as well.) RC are quite quick in delivering, have your computer number ready when you phone first time, you get about 1 weeks food when she arrives. You'll have lots of support, the puppy workshops are great fun, there is a huge folder of what they expect of you but really it is not that hard. Get used to people coming up all the time or trying to touch the dog even when at 6 months she gets her blue coat to put on - it is annoying but keep on walking with a smile.

If your dcs have any old soft toys it is a good idea to give one that smells of them to her when she comes. My previous gdp still has his blue teddy! This one has a little snow leopard. It is also a good link for your dcs to have with the pup.

So shopping list: bowls, tag, toys (but not many as she'll want to play with you!) such as nylabones/kongs/tuggies...actually that is it, I used old bedding for the crate - she'll have a snuggie from her litter so put that in with her too. I'm sure I've forgotten something! If you want to know anything or have any questions then fire away - it won't be long before you are part of the workshop group, it is a great way to make friends.

Thanks for all the info

We have opted to have the food paid for directly by GD so that was rather silly of us then wasn't it? ~ perhaps we should change it so that we are covered for the extras

When do the puppy workshops start? ie how many weeks old?

Are they just for GD Puppies?

Are they weekly?

What happens at them?

Knew I'd forgotten something, you also get a couple of really good grooming brushes too!

Ha!

Our workshop is every two weeks with a break at Christmas and during the summer holidays. Because of the amount of gdps in the area the class is split into under 6 months and over. They can go to workshop from the minute you get them, the pup just can't go outside but obviously all the other dogs are known to be vax. Sometimes other dogs will be invited, dogs of family and friends as they are good for socialisation but this is in the older class only.

Mostly it is obedience at the workshops, for the first few visits expect to do very little but sit with a sleepy pup! Information about what gd are doing is passed on, fundraising requests for puppy walkers to take their pups along (means more money given) and the like. You'll get presented with your puppy foundation badge when she is a few months old and the supervisor has been on a few visits to assess her progress. There is always a chance for a cup of tea/coffee and a chat with everyone and a Christmas party at the end of year(I dressed Faldo as a golf course for this years fancy dress contest, yes I did! Didn't win though!)

deffo brill thanks for all the info

Will let you all know how we get on

RTKM, word of warning, it is very addictive - especially that warm puppy smell!