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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

First walk?

14 replies

foxylab2023 · 29/10/2023 08:44

Hi all

Wondering what to do here. Our lab puppy ended up having 3 lots of vaccines as the vets that we are with didn't have the same vaccines/compatible vaccines as the breeders vet.

Fast forward to just under 2 weeks ago he had his second jab and expecting the vet to say keep him in for a week (as with our other dog) she turned round and said two weeks but then followed it up with, however he's probably fully vaccinated now because of the first set.

Question is DH wants to take him out today for a small pavement walk around the block. His reasons are that
Its the weekend so DS can come which he won't be able to do until next weekend now as it will be dark by the time he gets home from school.
It's only 2 days from the 2 weeks and as the vet said that he was probably fully vaccinated anyway the risk is so small especially as it's just pavements no mud etc.
Pup is at the moment scared of the wind (I know!!) and today is much calmer than Tuesday onwards is supposed to be for us so it will be more pleasant.

I'm not convinced we should but that's only because with our other pup she was very ill when we got her so I've always been wary when it comes to puppy health!

Any words of wisdom here?

OP posts:

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 29/10/2023 08:48

Id start carrying him places. Getting him to see stuff is the most import thing

Original poster

foxylab2023 · 29/10/2023 08:51

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 29/10/2023 08:48

Id start carrying him places. Getting him to see stuff is the most import thing

We can't carry him anymore he's too big and heavy and wriggly

OP posts:

Anonanonanon1 · 29/10/2023 09:53

Mine was allowed out properly a week after last jabs.
I carried him everywhere from the day he came home to that point though. Out on the walks with my other dog.
I would have personally change vets as they weren't prepared to get the correct vaccine, and found one that did have it, as it's delayed your puppy's socialization and having extra jabs is not great.
My dog's breeder who has 30 years experience, does not do the first jabs so this can't happen. I took him for his first jabs the day I collected him and there is no chance of this situation occurring.
I would definitely go for your walk today and get puppy used to all weathers as soon as possible.

Original poster

foxylab2023 · 29/10/2023 10:37

Anonanonanon1 · 29/10/2023 09:53

To be fair we have carried him up until this last week where he has become to heavy and wriggly to hold for that long.

The vets initially said they would be fine but then decided that they actually weren't compatible. The next vets that had the same type of jabs were a two hour drive away and we couldn't justify a 4 hour round trip for the sake of a vaccine. It would have been alright if it was a week after having them but I was shocked at 2 weeks.

We are slowly getting there with the wind lots of treats, play and cuddles happen so hopefully that will continue to improve

OP posts:

mondaytosunday · 29/10/2023 10:54

Walk him - I think you are being over cautious. Just don't let him have contact with other dogs if you insist, but really I think you are over thinking this.

BigBundleOfFluff · 29/10/2023 11:01

It depends on the area you live in. We had a similar situation except the reason we had 3 jabs was the vet thought that the first jab done by the breeder was too early at 7 weeks and wanted to start the course again. So pup had hers at 7/9/11 weeks.
Vet at 11 week jab said to carry out of the vets and car park and then could put down, avoiding high dog traffic areas and water.
We live in an area with very high rates of vaccinations. I'm not saying it would be ok, but you could ring your vet again?

smooshed · 29/10/2023 11:10

I think that the normal vet advice to keep puppies in for several weeks after their vaccinations isn't great. If there is currently a lepto or parvo outbreak then it might be sensible, but in most areas almost all the dogs you'll meet are vaccinated.
Socialising dogs from as young as possible is absolutely critical if you want a well brought up confident dog. Personally, I think it's more important to have that time for more and earlier socialisation balanced with the tiny risk of the things they are vaccinated against. So, my puppies I've had are out with other dogs I know from a week after their first vaccination.
I think the biggest problem with dog ownership in this country is a lack of people properly socialising their dogs with as many other dogs, people and situations as possible while they are tiny. There seems to be far too many nervous dogs, and nervous dogs usually end up being reactive dogs.
The group of dogs that my dogs socialise with in our local park includes everything from Toy Chihuahuas up to Great Danes, with Boxers, Pointers, GSDs, Staffies, a Spinone, a Yorkie/Chi cross and more. They all get along brilliantly because even the tiniest dogs were introduced while still puppies.

My advice would be to have a think about it. But get your puppy off lead as soon as possible, and meeting as many people and dogs as possible, in as many different places as possible. Far easier to train recall at 8-10 weeks then it is if you wait till several months old.

Neriah · 29/10/2023 11:14

He'll be fine. Although if he's anything like most pups of that age it will not be a first walk - it will be a first drag!

Ibravedaflood · 29/10/2023 11:14

Our ddogs are 10 now but here on first walk....

blabla2023 · 29/10/2023 11:29

Completely agree with @smooshed .
We started recall training with our dogs from the day they came home, and socialisations with some dogs after the first jab. As long as there is no current outbreak, the risks of late socialisation and training are bigger than the tiny risk of infection. Its much easier to teach a dog recall and to walk on a leash properly if they do it from day 1.

Original poster

foxylab2023 · 29/10/2023 13:35

Thanks all. Will go out this afternoon.

We've been practicing recall and lead walking since day 1 although appreciate it's different in the garden! Hopefully it will be a successful walk!

OP posts:

Janiie · 29/10/2023 15:21

How did it go op? I was so looking forward to our first walk but for weeks we had to coax her with treats she just kept sitting and lying down! Obviously she was scared and overwhelmed so we didn't push it and now at 8 months she's off like a shot but it was so tricky in those early weeks!

Original poster

foxylab2023 · 29/10/2023 17:41

Surprisingly well actually.

First pup was a nightmare but lab dog took it all in his stride. A couple of barks and hiding when a car exhaust popped but other than that a huge success!!

OP posts:

ilovesushi · 30/10/2023 07:57

We also have a lab. Our vet said there was minimal risk if we walked our pup in areas not frequented by lots of other other dogs before she was fully immunised. But that was specific to our area and that particular vet thought the downside of keeping the puppy in outweighed the small risk of disease. He only told us this after both sets of jabs though so it didn't change anything for us. I don't think a pavement walk sounds a great idea if lots of other dogs go that way. Is there somewhere more remote? Can you get a second opinion on the vaccinations you've had/ need. Sounds a right palaver!

Just seen you got out already! Hope it was enjoyed by all!

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