A Lil Worried

[Marley'z Mum]

Hi all again.....

I dont know if I should be worried or not.... my bitza pup is having his 12week needles friday... he hasn't been to any puppy preschool yet, the reason for that is, my local vet usually does it, but decided against it till after winter because they have had a huge amount of parvo cases.... I found another lady that does them but she said he cant come till he has had his 12wk needles, again I assumed because of the parvo problem around here recently (was in the local paper)..... now this is what I am a lil worried about... should I have just kept looking for someone that would have taken him before 12 weeks, the more I read and see on here the right time to take him to socialise him with other dogs was between 8 and 12weeks, so now I am a lil worried there is going to be problems with him and other dogs.... he hasnt really been around other dogs, coz I have been a lil paranoid bout the parvo thing...... should I be concerned about how he is going to be with other dogs because of his age?

I am taking him to see my friends dogs in a couple of weeks but they are older dogs, and are great with other dogs, so I figure if he is naughty they will just put him in his place, (I will be supervising of course) but I am worried how he will be with other dogs around his age.... should I?

Edited July 7, 2010 by Marley'z Mum

[W Sibs]

Socialisation is a constant thing the dogs needs to do for the rest of their life... that's my personal opinion anyway.

My puppy school teacher says it's crucial to socialise a pup between birth and 16 weeks.

I think there is a link of puppy timeline on top of the Puppy Problem thread. It's a very good read

As soon as I got my pups, I took them everywhere with me. They played with friends and family dogs (doesn't matter the age), cats and other pets.

[aussielover]

No, you still have plenty of time to socialize him

I think you are better safe than sorry, especially if there has been a known parvo outbreak in your area. If the vet thinks there is a high chance of puppy school puppies being infected with parvo, its is probably best to take their advice.

The timeline is just a guide, its not exactly 8-12 weeks for every puppy.

Many people say upto 14/16 weeks is the most important time for socialization, so you still have a few weeks until then. I agree with CW EW that socialization is soemhting that needs to be done thrughout a dogs life.

[Tassie]

Don't panic - it's never too late - and while I too like to get pups out and about early, I'd have to say a known parvo outbreak in your area changes the goalposts IMO. Play dates with safe dogs in people's yards are good - and if you can, carrying your pup around to various places.

[Nekhbet]

the period between the dog opening its eyes and ears and about 16 weeks is critical period. What the dog learns in this period will shape the rest of its life. Yes socialisation is important throughout the dogs life but consider it maintenance, NOT beginners. I would rather you get together with some well behaved dogs with good dog body language and manners to teach your pup the facts of life, ones that dont go to dog school or parks regularly are a good idea. I aim to get the dogs very well socialised by 12 weeks, by 16 weeks I expect quite a bombproof dog that has begun learning obedience.

As for Parvo, take your dog in the car, turn on the TV loud, vacuum, lawnmower etc and have guests come over so your pup is exposed to different social situations. Socialisation is about learning how to behave in a situation not just to be exposed to it.

[Marley'z Mum]

Thanks all....

I have taken him to places I know he would be reasonably safe, the in-laws for instance they have no animals but we were there with the whole family, my kids and neices and nephews age rages from a couple of months to 14... so when it comes to kids and adults he is well socialised, I don't know to many ppl with dogs, thats why he hasn't as yet had much socialisation with them, so hopefully when he starts these classes he doesn't get us kicked out lol

[matilda1]

Thanks all....

I have taken him to places I know he would be reasonably safe, the in-laws for instance they have no animals but we were there with the whole family, my kids and neices and nephews age rages from a couple of months to 14... so when it comes to kids and adults he is well socialised, I don't know to many ppl with dogs, thats why he hasn't as yet had much socialisation with them, so hopefully when he starts these classes he doesn't get us kicked out lol

Perfect solution.

I don't know of any puppy classs that will accept pups without them being fully vaccinated, so I am not sure exactly how people are socialising their pups prior to 12 weeks (unless it's at home with their own other pets)(which is my case)

I certaily didn't take Katie out prior to her last vaccine.

I think as long as they have human contact between leaving their litter mates and their final vacc they should be fine. That's only a few weeks of their life. You have plenty of time.

Stress not :D

[poodlefan]

BellaDonna:

I don't know of any puppy classs that will accept pups without them being fully vaccinated,

Nearly all vet puppy classes accept pups from the age of 8 weeks. Quality varies - shop around.