Puppy Vaccinations

[disorder]

Hi,

I was just curious as to what everybody's thoughts/ experiences are on puppy vaccinations and when to allow your puppy to visit public areas

I personally thought it was 2 weeks after their 12 week shot?

I followed that rule with Snot, it didn't mean he wasn't socialized young, he went to puppy school every week and I also took him to friends houses alot who also had dogs.

So what differing opinions are there on puppy vaccinations?

When did you take your pup to the beach/dog park or around the block for the first time?

[puggy_puggy]

At 16 weeks after they have had their 3rd puppy needle is when you can start taking them out.

You can start socalising them with dogs you know the vaccination history of at 12 weeks after they have had their 2nd puppy needle.

They generally have a needle at 7 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks.

[DeltaCharlie]

After having a really fearful dog (Cody) I went over the top with Delta's socialisation. We did puppy preschool but from about 10wks she also went to obedience and agility every week and a range of different people (kids and adults) looked after her while I trained Cody. I didn't take her to any random parks and she only got to play with dogs I knew, but I still took the chance with her being on the ground at training. It paid off in that I have a well adjusted dog who can cope with pretty much anything and is good at reading dog behaviour and acting accordingly. Its a matter of weighing up the risks I guess.

[huga]

It's a calculated risk. I took both my guys out to be socialised from around 10 weeks

[huski]

After having a really fearful dog (Cody) I went over the top with Delta's socialisation. We did puppy preschool but from about 10wks she also went to obedience and agility every week and a range of different people (kids and adults) looked after her while I trained Cody. I didn't take her to any random parks and she only got to play with dogs I knew, but I still took the chance with her being on the ground at training. It paid off in that I have a well adjusted dog who can cope with pretty much anything and is good at reading dog behaviour and acting accordingly. Its a matter of weighing up the risks I guess.

Yep, that's what I do too. I did post this in the thread in general, but I take my pups out and about from the day they are brought home. Cherry was kept in until she was 16 weeks and reacts badly to new situations, Micha and Daisy were taken out from eight weeks and they are confident and outgoing wherever we go.

I wouldn't take any pup of mine to a dog park regardless of their vaccs, and I would probably avoid the beach, but I did take them too shops, markets, various new places etc and let them be pat by strangers.

[Miss B]

Minook went to Puppy Preschool at 9 weeks of age (after her first vaccination), but other than that we kept her at home until two weeks after her final shot (which she had at 16 weeks). During that time she did come with us to visit my Dad and my other dogs, but I know their vaccination history.

[Kyra]

We started with kyra at 10 weeks. We mostly carried her places but we still took her out with us.

[Joshua]

My little guy gets he's final vaccination this weekend (16 weeks) ... i took him for a little stroll today to get used to the lead and harness..

He's only met my Aunty's and Uncle's dogs so far when they came to my house when he was around 12 weeks...

Can't wait to take him to the beach in a couple of weeks!

[Cavandra]

Pet Talk

Here are Dr Jean Dodds recent seminars held in Australia.

If you vaccinate a puppy at the correct age of 8-10 weeks,and titer tested it , if it has levels it is immune, most pups dont need another vaccination...However, if a pup is done at 6 weeks it may as well not have been done at all, as it wont have any immunity as the immune system is too young........

If Protech is used there is no reason to give a 3rd shot......and then of course there are those pups/dogs that will never have any immunity no matter how many times you vaccinate it.........unless all dogs were Titered we will never know if the dog next to us is immune or not, if you get my drift........

[Staff'n'Toller]

I use Jean Dodds' info and generally advise 3-4 days after the 12 week Vacc the dog is 95%+ covered.

We use Virbac Vaccines though, and need to do a third as they don't have 2 Vacc claim on theirs yet.

Mel.

Edited October 6, 2008 by Staff'n'Toller

[FionaC]

Mort was out being socialised with us from 8 weeks of age... he was heavily socialised from that point onwards at the breeders recommendation (who is also a vet), we avoided high dog areas such as parks and off leash areas and the local dog beach and we took him places to meet dogs that we knew were full vaccinated..... he went to the shops, to the local primary school and to the local police station (amongst other places) he went to the beach at 11 weeks of age - however he was carried down onto the sand and it was a people beach (not a dog beach) and we kept him under the high tide mark .... we observed him carefully over this period for any signs of illness etc

He had his 2nd needle at 12 weeks right before his first puppy class and our vet told us that in 1 week he would be fine to go out amongst regular dogs, parks etc. I thought that he had to have another one at 16 weeks but the vet told me that because of the type of vaccination that they use the at this clinic the 16 week vaccination at this vets is optional (or dependant on what age and type the first vaccination is - they also do Titre testing and have interesting opinions on vaccination schedules and over vaccinations etc which I appreciate and am learning more and more about myself) and he is not now due for another one until 15 months...

It was a calculated risk I guess but seeing Mort with others his age at puppy pre-school, he is the most well adjusted of the lot of them, he is friendly and knows how to greet other dogs properly and is lovely to take places, he isn't hiding under our chairs, growling and barking continuously at other dogs in the class like a couple of the others still are ..... I believe it was worth it especially since he is a large breed and I wanted him to be essentially bombproof by the time he is fully grown

Edited October 6, 2008 by FionaC

[Crest_Fallen]

With my goldie (now 9yo) I took her everywhere with me from the day I got her. I never took her to public parks or beaches but always to friends' places who I knew there dogs vaccinations were up-to-date. I am also taking my new puppy out with me places too but carry him rather than letting him walk. I will also take him to meet other dogs who I know are vaccinated, but it will again be at a friend's home.

[pie]

After having a really fearful dog (Cody) I went over the top with Delta's socialisation. We did puppy preschool but from about 10wks she also went to obedience and agility every week and a range of different people (kids and adults) looked after her while I trained Cody. I didn't take her to any random parks and she only got to play with dogs I knew, but I still took the chance with her being on the ground at training. It paid off in that I have a well adjusted dog who can cope with pretty much anything and is good at reading dog behaviour and acting accordingly. Its a matter of weighing up the risks I guess.

Yep, that's what I do too. I did post this in the thread in general, but I take my pups out and about from the day they are brought home. Cherry was kept in until she was 16 weeks and reacts badly to new situations, Micha and Daisy were taken out from eight weeks and they are confident and outgoing wherever we go.

I wouldn't take any pup of mine to a dog park regardless of their vaccs, and I would probably avoid the beach, but I did take them too shops, markets, various new places etc and let them be pat by strangers.

I fully intend to do the same thing with my next pup, being a breed prone to nervousness, I am willing to take a calculated risk for socialisation benefits.

My current dog missed out on it as I waited for his final shots, and if I could turn back time I would've had him out and about from the day I got him home. I believe it would have helped a lot of his anxiety / nervousness issues.

[Pawfect]

Pet Talk

Here are Dr Jean Dodds recent seminars held in Australia.

If you vaccinate a puppy at the correct age of 8-10 weeks,and titer tested it , if it has levels it is immune, most pups dont need another vaccination...However, if a pup is done at 6 weeks it may as well not have been done at all, as it wont have any immunity as the immune system is too young........

If Protech is used there is no reason to give a 3rd shot......and then of course there are those pups/dogs that will never have any immunity no matter how many times you vaccinate it.........unless all dogs were Titered we will never know if the dog next to us is immune or not, if you get my drift........

A bit OT, but I thought i'd mention that titre tests are very good at predicting your dogs immunity to parvo and 1 other disease (forgotten the name). However it doesn't show immunity against other nasties like kennel cough that are far more prevalent (although less deadly). According to my vet, kennel cough immunity only lasts 12 mths MAX (usually less), which is why it's best to keep up with C5 boosters if you're fostering (which I do when i can), or if you're dog socialises with other dogs frequenlty that you don't know the history of (like at offlead parks).

[huski]

A bit OT, but I thought i'd mention that titre tests are very good at predicting your dogs immunity to parvo and 1 other disease (forgotten the name). However it doesn't show immunity against other nasties like kennel cough that are far more prevalent (although less deadly). According to my vet, kennel cough immunity only lasts 12 mths MAX (usually less), which is why it's best to keep up with C5 boosters if you're fostering (which I do when i can), or if you're dog socialises with other dogs frequenlty that you don't know the history of (like at offlead parks).

But aren't there more than thirty different strains of Kennel Cough? C5 only vaccinates for two. My dogs still contracted KC when they last boarded and they were up to date on their vaccinations (C5). KC is essentially just a cold - its not that dangerous, but if you are worried, there is a KC nasal spray that you can get your vet to adminster to your dog.

[Dame Aussie]

We were so confused with all the conflicting information regarding puppy shots/socialization etc. I was on here asking the same questions

Our girl ended up having the 3 shots but I told the vet at the final one that we didn’t want a C5 as in my mind its like us having a flu shot, loads of people have a shot but get a different strain of the flu, and since we don’t plan on boarding Lili I don’t think it’s needed.

Lili attended pre school every week after got her second shot and a week after her third at 15 weeks she started going everywhere.

A lot of people would say we kept her in too long but I work at a shelter and am too aware of parvo to take the risk.

I guess it’s a risk either way and you need to decide which you would rather take. Not easy.

With a smaller dog I would have carried it round with me but Lili was already 11.5 kg at 12 weeks and is a struggler so not much chance there

Lili is great with people and other dogs so I’m lucky in that respect but if I got another puppy I would do it the same way.