Taking puppy out before vaccinations?

[Feeebeee]

Puppy will be joining us in a few days and we’re all very excited. She had her first jab 2 days ago but we’re keen to get her out so she can see the world for socialisation- (to you experienced dog owners, is this good or unnecessary?). DH is saying we should just let her walk in areas where it’s unlikely to have been frequented by unvaccinated dogs but I think it’s best that we carry her/ put her in a little rucksack worn on our front. What do you think? Arms, walking or not outside (apart from garden) at all?

I've been told (by the vet) that my puppy can't go out until a week after his second vaccination - even into the garden. He's ok to visit other vaccinated dogs though.

I'm finding it very limiting now - he's very energetic and has now mastered the stairs (he's 10 weeks) and we need to get him out!

Really not even the garden? I’ve never heard that before- ah starting to feel nervously under prepared

Garden is ok, if no other dogs have been in it for a while. (Weeks? Months?)

Can get used to outside world, get used to collar and lead, and start house training.

The garden thing is ridiculous - ignore a vet if they tell you that. You absolutely need to get your dog out in the garden to start toilet training.

You can also take puppy out in your arms to get use to traffic noise etc etc however remember that when it comes to socialisation, no experience is better than a bad experience. Don’t overload your puppy, if they’re scared it can become a negative experience so you want them to be happy and calm. Socialisation can also take place inside the home - different noises, walking and different surfaces, throwing treats into a kids ball pool, walking through a clothes horse with sheets on, standing on an upside down pot, playing with a plastic bottle or rustly paper, going into a crate, having his paws, ears tail etc checked by someone in return for food, all these kinds of things build confidence and are socialisation too. If a friend can come visit, help puppy to behave how you want them to behave as an adult, sitting calmly for a treat and geeeting the visitor appropriately. Practice walking on the lead in your kitchen, in the garden, in your front garden. There’s sooooo much you can do before going outside of the house!

If you use Facebook, join the ‘canine enrichment’ group for great ideas. I love this article on the topic - www.collared-scholar.com/more-harm-than-good-3-reasons-why-i-never-socialize-my-puppies/

Outside in your arms.

Totally agree the garden thing is ridiculous .

In my line of work I see more dogs dying from behavioural issues than I do from parvo distemper etc.

It is vital that you get your dog out and about socialising asap. Yes carry them but get them out and about. They need to see people, cars noises, animals bikes the world! etc Not necessary interact with it all but absolutely smell, see and watch

We were told outside in the garden was fine. With vaccinated dogs was ok. If you were out and about carry them and if you had to put them down to toilet try and do it in places that were unlikely to have been used by other dogs.

As for vaccinations my vet split mine on request so he had his second at 10 weeks and could walk on pavements at 11 weeks. The lepto one was given at 12 weeks but we had to wait until 14 weeks to go walking in watery boggy areas, farmland and woods.

And as for walking you might find your puppy doesn't actually want to walk. The world is a scary place so actually carrying them and getting them used to the noises and smells is more reassuring than plonking them down and expecting them to go for a walk.

Our puppy loved a trip being carried to pets at home/jolleyes type pet shops. We also got her booked into a puppy training class as soon as she was able to go out two weeks after her second jab

oh I was told the garden is out due to rats and foxes?! Also a novice at puppies here, but would love to let mine run outside in our garden.

I would never tell anyone to go against their vet advice and risk assessment BUT if you are really worried about the garden could you fence off an area where only the puppy goes for toilet training?

Why would fencing off a bit of the garden help - foxes and rats will have already infected this area? Parvo lives for years in the soil. If a fox has CAV it takes over a year to shed the virus.

Basically the puppy will have some immunity from its mothers milk and also the first set of vaccinations will offer some cover - for some puppies it offers full cover.

Let your dog in your own garden unless it is infested with rats and foxes, let your dog interact with fully vaccinated dogs in their own garden.

Detoxpup I thought you had to come into contact with infected poo. By fencing off a section you could if you wanted check for poo, put some artificial grass down or whatever to minimise the risks.

I let my dog out into the garden so this isn't about me but about those that have been told not to let them into the garden.

We took our pup out a week after 1st vaccs, being carried in doggy places and allowed on the ground in low risk places (beach at low tide; places not many dogs go). We accept the risk, for us the socialisation was more important as our breed (collie) can be fearful and reactive if understocked. This wasnt our vets advice, but a decision we took.

I should say by contrast we only let him in part of our own garden as we have rats in the back due to our chickens, risk of leptospirosis unacceptably high.

Bitey nope parvo can live for years in soil and on the ground not just poo also infected urine which would be hard to see carries other diseases eg CAV

Maybe that's why some then advise no garden but my vets were more pragmatic.

I'm pretty sure we have foxes in the back. The binmen disturbed a rat in the front recently too. Is it high risk? He's had his first jabs.

I'm torn because we're struggling with poos (he's fine with wees) and I think he'd be better in the garden. He's also going stircrazy now.

I wouldn't worry so much about occasional foxes, I'm sure we have them passing through too - just don't let him eat or sniff any poo! Rats are unlikely to be a concern for most people, it's just because we have so many of the fuckers despite attempts to exterminate and we also have a pond their urine would contaminate.

During the first 14 weeks of its life the puppy’s is likely to get used to the new things it meets and accept them for life. This is called the socialisation window and closes at 14 weeks. Think of all the things your puppy might see in its life, e.g. cars, trucks, trailers, trains, busses, people with umbrellas, hats and in wheelchairs, cows, sheep, horses and pigs, babies, children, ballons, vacuum cleaners, noisy toys...the list goes on and on plus other dogs. The period between leaving mum until 14 weeks is really, really short. Yes, there is a risk in taking a not-fully vaccinated dog outside but there is also a risk in having a poorly socialized dog.

I take my puppies out in a rucksack from the first vaccination. At least that way they can see the world. I let them socialise with vaccinated dogs and take a risk in empty areas to allow them to explore and expend some energy. I don’t let them go near poo or stagnant water.

My pup was allowed outside by the breeder into their garden before she came home. I let her into ours. She needed to learn to toilet outside.
We carried her and took her places in the car to observe people and what was happening. Get used to smells and sights. It is incredibly important to get them used to seeing people and traffic and as many new things as possible.

Carrying him is a great idea, just for short periods. We just carried ours down to the main road to watch the traffic, took her to town and walked short distances carrying her, lots of things to see. Also had regular visitors here and if you have friends with a patient, vaccinated older dog that can be useful socialisation too. Your vet may also offer puppy meet ups at the surgery.