DS: What is your opinion on taking puppies to public places before they have completed their vaccinations?

[Ama]

I was on facebook the other day and was browsing a dog page, someone on there made a post saying that is it perfectly fine to take a puppy to public places(parks, pet stores, etc)*and let them be on the floor* before they complete their vaccinations and That people should stop saying otherwise.

Their reason being that it's important for socializing them that you take them to as many places as possible and let them meet different people/animals in different situation during the time when it's important that they're socialized.

There were a good amount of people that agreed with the person.

I do think that socialization is important but I have always thought it's better to avoid public places or at least keep the pup off the ground where other dogs could have been until they're completely vaccinated.

Anyway, I'm just wondering what others think of this, what your opinion on it is?
*No TDs will be given by me*

As always thank you in advance to anyone who answers my questions and shares their opinion on this.
@E.H Amos- Not at all. When my dog was a puppy I didn't really take her public places until she was completely vaccinated-she still got socialization even though I didn't(The only thing she didn't get socialized with was baby supplies*strollers, etc* and that's because I really didn't know anyone with children at the time-so she got socialized with that late).

That's why seeing that post and the amount of people who agreed surprised me(because I prefer to take the "safe route" for this and not take the chance).

[E. H. Amos]

The puppy would need to have at least one set of shots & it be two weeks past that vaccination (for it to have the required protective effect). BUT IMO, it is not a good idea to go out many places until you've done two sets of vaccinations to cover for parvo & distemper (that are more common than you think) in public places. Either disease in a puppy, can be FATAL & cost thousands, if you try to save them, if they do get sick. Further, if you bring parvo into your home or yard (via a sick puppy) it can re-infect any other unvaccinated puppy you ever get. Does that sounds like its okay to gamble?

[Ticked]

It isn't worth it. I think it's fine to take the pup out and about after it's had at least one round of boosters but I'd still stay out of high dog traffic areas until immunizations were complete.

[CDog]

They're pretty stupid to risk their puppy's health. It's not worth it. I don't even let my puppies touch the floor at the vet's office until they've had at least two shots. My sister had a puppy that contracted parvo at the vet when she took her for shots. I did take my puppy to friend's and family's houses to socialize with them and their dogs, but I know their dogs are vaccinated. They brought their dogs to my house as well.

I didn't take on the public walking trail until after she had three shots. She's finally had all of her shots and I may take her to the new dog park. She went to a conformation class tonight and was the youngest puppy there.

As much as I wanted to take her more places before her shots were done, I didn't risk it. She's healthy and out of the woods now, so it was worth the wait.

Add: Kate just said it all.

[Highbread Dingbat]

I'd rather have an alive and slightly less "socialized" puppy than one that died from parvo.

[Latchodrom]

A very foolish thing to do.
First there is the risk to the dog. ( it's very life)
It could also cost a great deal monetarily if the dog was to become infected and needed vets treatment. For your dog to be on the ground or not is irrelevant also. Parvo virus for instance is transmitted by the animal inhaling airborne spores of the virus. In a very young unprotected pup or an old unprotected dog it is an almost certain killer.
In my opinion therefore the pup should be left safe within the home until it is fully protected .
Parvo spores are not unlike cat flu in their makeup and they constantly mutate and change, they are well able to survive prolonged sub zero temperatures and have a life span of 12-14 months they can live up to 18 months in favourable conditions also.


@ Bekay.... no disrespect meant, You should read the above information about Parvo virus. It is not transmitted by ground contact, all the animal has to do to become infected is to inhale a single living airborne spore of the virus. Hence it is not safe for it to be out of any enclosed environment that is free from parvo virus, until full protection is reached. That includes going on socialisation trips supposedly safe in the owners arms or not.

[Beckay]

It's not okay to let them be on the floor. Parvo is actually making a come back in some countries at the moment. It IS important to socialise your puppy so from the moment you bring them home take them out with you and let them see the world and other people and other animals, but let them do it from the safety of your arms.

[dorothy s]

Socialisation is vital however until your puppy has had its vaccinations/shots you should carry it around to socialise it. Your walks whilst carrying the puppy should consist of walking around the perimeter of Supermarkets and you should have a pocket full of treats. People will stop to admire your puppy and you should give them a treat to give to your puppy.

You should also take your puppy to the school gates when the kids are coming out and give the kids a treat to give to your puppy. It would be great if it could get used to men in uniforms and people in wheelchairs. You should also stand outside Fire Stations and Police Stations to introduce your puppy to the sound of sirens.

Busy railway stations are also excellent places to socialise a puppy.

[MacBryan]

You can socialize them perfectly well with vaccinated dogs in responsible friends' homes and yards. They don't need to be in areas of high dog traffic to meet humans. Dogs don't really have to be socialized with everything and everyone at an early age, as long as they have had plenty of varied encounters and are accustomed to the idea that new experiences are generally positive.

[kate]

I don't think it would be a good idea. i brought my puppy to a public place, just a normal park, and then a few weeks later had parvo and suddenly passed. he wasn't vaccinated for it yet, and we had tried to treat him for it but he didn't survive. it was costly and it didnt have a high success rate, but we had to try something.

my advice is to wait until he/she's vaccinated, so you wont have to go through a loss of a puppy.