Incavale Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 I was reading another thread about puppy socialisation where the author brought up attendance at a puppy pre-school as the first step in developing social skills in a puppy. I am however concerned about putting a pup at risk of infection when mixing with other pups that have had just their first vaccination. I also have a concern about the risk of a pup picking up an infection at a vet surgery. Any opinions, anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Yes there is a risk, but you need to weigh up all the risks. Personally it is a risk I'd take. If you go to a well run puppy school, the risk of infection would be minimal. If you keep your puppy "safely" indoors during its critical development period, you run a high risk of having a badly socialised dog (and that lasts for the dogs lifetime). Also bear in mind that deadly diseases like parvo live in the soil. So you could bring it home with you inadvertantly (basically, the risk is there whether or not you go to puppy pre-school). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 I wouldn't risk a puppy school at a vets unless there was no other choice. Much safer to find a trainer that runs a private indoor school. I can recommend Camarna at Austral run by Luci Ellem. she has a purpose built building for the puppy school and it is a great course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merrirose Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 I was worried about the same thing... I went for the Nobivac 10 week final vac (pup had already had a 6 week) so I could get my pup out by 12 weeks and know she was covered. Like how do you know that the owners of the other puppies in the class are careful about where they take their pups and they inadvertently bring a contaminated pup to class? Freaks me out lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stonecutter Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 At the vet we don't let pup roam around - she stays on our lap or in her crate. We have a JS, who can be wary of other dogs, so socialisation was worth the risk in terms of puppy school (we go to Hills Kennel Club) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Dog Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 It is a risk but if you go somewhere that's low risk for parvo and adult dogs are all vaccinated you're reducing the risk. Not like going to a dog park etc. I have always been of the opinion that socialising a puppy in a more controlled environment like puppy schools is worth the risk. Plus I'd never go to a puppy school at a vets. It's like taking your baby to a doctors office for day care! It's where sick dogs go, even if they do clean the place- not for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elise+Hudson Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 We have a puppy preschool that runs out of the front reception area of our vet clinic. The entire place is cleaned down with F10 before the class. I think a puppy preschool at the vets wound be the same risk than going in for your regular vaccinations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everythings Shiny Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 We have a puppy preschool that runs out of the front reception area of our vet clinic. The entire place is cleaned down with F10 before the class. I think a puppy preschool at the vets wound be the same risk than going in for your regular vaccinations. Same - No puppy is allowed in without the certificate of vaccination and we scrub our reception room before the puppy pre school starts. And I like that the puppy then learns that the vets isn't only for needles, but for fun too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 I was worried about the same thing... I went for the Nobivac 10 week final vac (pup had already had a 6 week) so I could get my pup out by 12 weeks and know she was covered. Like how do you know that the owners of the other puppies in the class are careful about where they take their pups and they inadvertently bring a contaminated pup to class? Freaks me out lol. Unfortunately if you only take your puppy out by 12 weeks you have missed a very big chunk of their critical socialisation period. Personally, I'm not prepared to take the risk of a lifetime of struggles with a poorly socialised dog. I'd rather take the small risk that they get something nasty at the vets. Vets are actually very clean places and it is important for your dog to know that it is a nice, happy place. You don't want their first experience there to be an injection! I took my pup to the vet for a few weekends during his socialisation period, just to sit in the reception area and get treats from the vet nurses. He LOVES the vets and pulls me to the door (one of the few times I let him pull!). Even when he was very ill (when he was a fully vacc'd adult) he was still happy to see the vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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