It's been many, many years since I've had a brand new puppy and I'm looking
for suggestions on how to socialize the new addition before he gets his
second set of shots at the age of 12 weeks. The breeder doesn't want me to
put him in puppy class until that time (and it looks like, with the current
training schedule, he'll be 16 weeks old before we can start).

We'll definitely have lots of visitors here at home, but what else can we
do to get him as much exposure as possible without putting his health at
risk?

Roxy and I go the Nature Preserve every day now and walk/run 2-3 miles. I
will keep doing that with Roxy, but obviously the pup can't join us for
those outings. I'm wondering if I can take him there at all before his
shots, though, even for much shorter walks. I'm thinking not, since
inconsiderate people let their dogs crap on the trail and don't bother
picking it up, burying it, or at least flinging it off to the side.

I will take him on walks in the neighborhood (on asphalt at first), and
we'll visit nearby friends with dogs we know are healthy & vaccinated, but
I'm drawing a blank as to what else we can do.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

--
Lynne

In article ,
Lynne wrote:

It's been many, many years since I've had a brand new puppy and I'm looking
for suggestions on how to socialize the new addition before he gets his
second set of shots at the age of 12 weeks. The breeder doesn't want me to
put him in puppy class until that time (and it looks like, with the current
training schedule, he'll be 16 weeks old before we can start).

That's too bad. 16 weeks (4 months) and a 30-40# puppy is quite late
for puppy class IMO. I think the very minor physical risks are much
lower than the risks of low socialization. Puppy classes are much safer
than public streets, vet offices and chain pet store.


We'll definitely have lots of visitors here at home, but what else can we
do to get him as much exposure as possible without putting his health at
risk?

Unless you live in a high risk area, get him out where you know who's
been there. Take him to other peoples' homes. Take him to see other
[safe] dogs.

I'm wondering if I can take him there at all before his
shots, though, even for much shorter walks. I'm thinking not, since
inconsiderate people let their dogs crap on the trail and don't bother
picking it up, burying it, or at least flinging it off to the side..

I'd avoid that type of place, but remember - you and Roxy bring it home
with you too,

I will take him on walks in the neighborhood (on asphalt at first), and
we'll visit nearby friends with dogs we know are healthy & vaccinated, but
I'm drawing a blank as to what else we can do.

I;d have him in puppy class.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 18:46:52 GMT, Janet Boss
wrote:

That's too bad. 16 weeks (4 months) and a 30-40# puppy is quite late
for puppy class IMO. I think the very minor physical risks are much
lower than the risks of low socialization. Puppy classes are much
safer than public streets, vet offices and chain pet store.

Yeah, I am not happy about waiting that long. I may go against what the
breeder recommends in this case--assuming the trainer will even go for
it, because they have their own shot requirements. "The breeder" is
actually a husband and wife (as you know), and the husband thought puppy
class right away would be FINE, but the wife insisted it would not be.

I'd avoid that type of place, but remember - you and Roxy bring it
home with you too,

Yeah, I've thought of that and Roxy is going to be getting her feet
washed outside before we even enter through the garage (which is getting
bleached Sunday to clean up after a massive mouse infestation). We bring
a lot of mud and who-knows-what back on our feet. I'm paranoid enough
that there will be NO trace by the time puppy arrives.

I;d have him in puppy class.

Since all the puppies will have had their shots, the biggest risk is what
people bring in on their shoes. What sucks is that the training area is
carpeted. Do you really think it would be okay?

I am the epitome of a nervous new mother...

--
Lynne

In article ,
Janet Boss wrote:
That's too bad. 16 weeks (4 months) and a 30-40# puppy is quite late
for puppy class IMO.

Emmett was about that old before I could get him into a
class, and while it may have been late enrolling him in it
was still probably the single best dog decision I've ever
made.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

If you can't say it clearly, you don't understand it yourself -- John Searle

In article ,
Lynne wrote:


Since all the puppies will have had their shots, the biggest risk is what
people bring in on their shoes. What sucks is that the training area is
carpeted. Do you really think it would be okay?

I've been running puppy classes for 19 years. Many of those classes
have been on carpet, and the ones that haven't been, have been in
outdoor fun runs used by multiple [vaccinated] dogs. We don't use the
grass run. The *only* problem I have had in all of those years (and I
get about 200 puppies a year) was about 15 years or so ago. A *6*+
month old cock-a-poo from a PA puppymill, broke with Parvo AFTER the
session was over (when she got spayed). I contacted all of the other
puppies in class. No problems and they were all much younger, but on
their appropriate vaccination schedule.

I think the benefits outweigh the risks, and I see the result of not
getting that socialization, time and time again.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

In article ,
(Melinda Shore) wrote:


Emmett was about that old before I could get him into a
class, and while it may have been late enrolling him in it
was still probably the single best dog decision I've ever
made.

Don't misunderstand - I STILL think it's beneficial. Just not as ideal
as younger.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 19:35:49 GMT, Janet Boss
wrote:

I've been running puppy classes for 19 years. Many of those classes
have been on carpet, and the ones that haven't been, have been in
outdoor fun runs used by multiple [vaccinated] dogs. We don't use the
grass run. The *only* problem I have had in all of those years (and I
get about 200 puppies a year) was about 15 years or so ago. A *6*+
month old cock-a-poo from a PA puppymill, broke with Parvo AFTER the
session was over (when she got spayed). I contacted all of the other
puppies in class. No problems and they were all much younger, but on
their appropriate vaccination schedule.

We're following a modified vaccine schedule at the recommendation of the
breeder. Basically he will get CPV-2 +CDV at 6 weeks (already done) and
then Rabies, CPV-2 + CDV + DAV-2 + CPI at 12 weeks. In the "normal" aka
maximal approach, he would have had an interim set of boosters at 9 weeks.
Does that change your opinion of how safe this will be for him?

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

I think the benefits outweigh the risks, and I see the result of not
getting that socialization, time and time again.

--
Lynne

on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 20:24:22 GMT, Lynne
wrote:

We're following a modified vaccine schedule at the recommendation of
the breeder. Basically he will get CPV-2 +CDV at 6 weeks (already
done) and then Rabies, CPV-2 + CDV + DAV-2 + CPI at 12 weeks. In the
"normal" aka maximal approach, he would have had an interim set of
boosters at 9 weeks. Does that change your opinion of how safe this
will be for him?

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Never mind! Problem solved. They just added a puppy class to the schedule
that starts on May 10. He'll be 13 weeks old. PERFECT.

--
Lynne

In article ,
Lynne wrote:


Never mind! Problem solved. They just added a puppy class to the schedule
that starts on May 10. He'll be 13 weeks old. PERFECT.

Good solution!

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 21:30:32 GMT, Janet Boss
wrote:

Good solution!

dontcha just love it when things work out so nicely?

--
Lynne