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d_white

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey Folks,
Lost my old partner a few weeks back and picked up a new pup last weekend. He will be 8 weeks old tomorrow.
I know it's important to put the pup in as many different environments as possible and introduce to other dogs as much as possible, but my vet has recommended not really taking him anywhere until after he's had his 3rd round of shots at 12 weeks old and is fully vaccinated. I do live in the DEEP rural south so anywhere we go has possibly been subject to roaming, homeless dogs or coyotes, and I understand parvo can hang around an area for 5 years.....seems like it's tough to socialized him if I can't really take him anywhere for the next 4-5 weeks. Is this over protection? Or is it just smart? In the past I've taken pups with me almost everywhere I went from the time I got them, including parks, etc. I was hoping to take him to my hunting camp for the first week of hunting season (he will be 10 weeks old, but just wanted to have him there) but she's strongly recommended against this. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
If you or your vet have any concerns about parvo (if it is a problem in your area) it would be better to be safe than sorry? Exposing pups to new environments is a good thing, but it doesn't trump their health and well being, IMO. If your fella was well bred and cared for at the breeders then you should not have anything to worry about regarding exposure to the hunting environment.
 
#3 ·
My chessie didn't really get socialized until 4 1/2 months when he went to a pro out of Virginia for formal OB, e collar etc and now the trainer has said at 1 year hes one of the best temperament chessies they have trained. He has no aggressive bone in his body, he also spends at least a day a week at a daycare sometimes two depending on what I have going on at work.
 
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#4 · (Edited)
Are all the other dogs at camp vaccinated? That would be my question. You don't have to have any direct dog/dog contact and having pup with you allows you to manage her instead of family members.

If your vet is saying 12 weeks then you're actually ahead of what a lot of them say! Usually they say 16-18 weeks AKA completely vaccinated and 2 week efficacy period.

That said, there is good anecdotal evidence to point to the fact that un-socialized dogs get put down much more often because of behavioral issues resulting from lack of socialization than those that die or parvo or distemper. In your case with a lab pup doubtful you'd run into any fatal flaws in behavior by not socializing but why create something that's gonna be a pain in the ass to manage for life?

Then there are those who say you shouldn't socialize dogs at all, and work strictly on their focus with you and avoiding any bad experiences.

So - talk to 12 vets and you'll get 5 different opinions. Talk to 12 trainers/owners and you'll probably get even more.

In the end it's a purely personal choice. If you want the case for 12 week socialization vs 16 look up Dr. Sophia Yin's article from "Decoding Your Dog" - don't buy the book. It's a positive only training agenda but the article on socialization was very good.

I happen to agree with your vet and recommend the same protocol to puppy clients. You can treat kennel cough pretty easily but parvo and distemper I would rather not deal with. This is also the protocol we use for bringing puppies into my group class which is held inside a vet's office.

Good luck and congratulations on the new addition!

Look for posts from Dr. Ed, Rainmaker and Erin's Edge on this one also.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Thanks for the replies.
In my immediate camp, all dogs are vaccinated., but we are on a road with lots of camps, and lots of locals who probably have questionable vet protocols for their animals. We hear coyotes a lot too. I suppose I will wait for the second split to take him with me (will be 14 weeks at that point) and hope my wife doesn't let him sleep in the bed with her while I'm gone!
 
#7 ·
What are yalls thoughts about having guests over? I?m picking my pup up Saturday and Sunday we are having some friends over (6-10 people) for dinner. Would you be concerned about interaction with guests at 8 weeks of age?
 
#9 ·
No problem with house guests or going to others house that don't have a dog.
 
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#12 ·
polmaise said:
Bryan Parks said:
What are yalls thoughts about having guests over? I?m picking my pup up Saturday and Sunday we are having some friends over (6-10 people) for dinner. Would you be concerned about interaction with guests at 8 weeks of age?
Click to expand...
Dog crates are great
Image

Guests can see and say hello ,so can the pup
Click to expand...
Thanks....
 
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Bryan Parks
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