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Socialization vs. Puppy shots

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SamRinde

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello everyone,

I just picked up my black cockapoo, Frankie, last week with my fiancee and took him to the vet on Monday for his second round of puppy shots at 10 weeks. (He yelped, it was so sad, but he was a trooper!)

There is a huge debate (from what I read) about the importance of socialization vs. the risk of taking a puppy out before they have all 3 puppy shots, or some say 16 weeks. We don't want to put Frankie at risk of getting any diseases or illnesses, but we want to expose him to as much as possible so he is a great companion for us while we transition from young adults to a family (eventually).

Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions?

By the way, I'm very happy to have found this forum and would like to be an active member. Frankie is an adorable pup and is very well behaved, we think, for a 10 week old. Hello to all and thanks for letting me in this community!:)
 
#3 ·
Ah Frankie looks lovely on your pita pata . I agree with Lexi and Beemers mum, just take him with you, sights, sounds, busy places, traffic, crowds etc. this will help so much but keep him safe.
Glad you've joined us... Looking forward to hearing about Frankies adventures x
 
#4 ·
Welcome to the site.
Either I missed the memo or there isn't that push to carry them everywhere until their final shots where I am. My vet certainly had never said anything like that, and Ringo was all over Petsmart the other week with her first puppy class. Maybe it depends what disease is prevalent on your area? I'd say check with your vet for the definitive word.

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#5 ·
I used to carry Molly everywhere we went and everyone would come over to pet her so that was great. Take the dog in your arms so it can hear different sounds etc...it really helps them not be scared. I live in the city so I did take her out to pee and poo but not in public parks or places where lots of dogs went. I also let her get close to other dogs while holding her but they weren't touching. In a puppy socialization class the vet said it was ok to take her because all the puppies are usually at the same stage. I did let her around my friends pug cause I knew that she had all her shots and was free from diseases so she played with Lily a lot when she was small.

So now she is 8 months and very social. She loves everyone and all dogs. It's a lot of work but try to get the dog to meet as many people as possible, kids , old people etc.......

By the way welcome!
 
#6 ·
Jayded said:
Welcome to the site.
Either I missed the memo or there isn't that push to carry them everywhere until their final shots where I am. My vet certainly had never said anything like that, and Ringo was all over Petsmart the other week with her first puppy class. Maybe it depends what disease is prevalent on your area? I'd say check with your vet for the definitive word.

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Click to expand...
My vet also ok'd homes with adult dogs with full vaccinations. I also started the puppies in puppy classes at petsmart at 12 weeks, but carried them in to the classroom until done with their last shots. I think puppy classes are ok since everyone needs proof of vaccination to participate. Try laying a blanket in the cart and push around. They get worlds of love from people but avoid the contact with dogs.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Thanks for the responses! My fiancee is very nervous and I am nervous as well, but more willing to take him places to experience the sights and sounds of life.

I will be sure to carry him when there are many other dogs around though. We live in an apartment so it's tough to avoid a lot of the stuff. (It isn't like we can take him out the backyard.. there are people and dogs everywhere here). He is getting good at going potty in the same place (we've tried to find a place where not many other dogs would go) but I feel like a little walk is good for him. I just want to be safe but give him proper exercise and experiences.
 
#8 ·
SamRinde said:
Thanks for the responses! My fiancee is very nervous and I am nervous as well, but more willing to take him places to experience the sights and sounds of life.

I will be sure to carry him when there are many other dogs around though. We live in an apartment so it's tough to avoid a lot of the stuff. (It isn't like we can take him out the backyard.. there are people and dogs everywhere here). He is getting good at going potty in the same place (we've tried to find a place where not many other dogs would go) but I feel like a little walk is good for him. I just want to be safe but give him proper exercise and experiences.
Click to expand...
Our vet had told us that it was ok to take her for short walks like 10 minutes but only on the sidewalk not in parks cause that is where most pets go to the bathroom. We would take her and if we ran into another dog we would pick her up and explain to the people that she didn't have all her shots. Puppies get lots of exercise inside as well by playing and acting crazy:D That tires them out. I live in an apartment as well and she was exposed to lots of people etc...sometimes when we knew there weren't many people around we would let her run in the long hallway I would be on one end and my partner the other. We would roll her ball and she would chase it. That really tired her out!
 
#9 ·
Take him out in the car too - really useful to get them relaxed and happy travelling.
He will enjoy opportunities to go out and about - car parks around shopping malls are a good place - lots of people who will want to stroke and pet and coo over him - also cars driving slowly so he gets used to seeing them and shopping trolleys which make odd noises etc.
Have fun with him.
 
#10 ·
Do you have anyone you can visit with a garden? nice for puppies to meet new people and would be nice for him to charge about outside, even better if they have a dog that has had all its shots.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Thank you everyone

We are doing the best we can. There are no long hallways in our building, so we play a lot in the apartment. We have a bunch of toys so hopefully he doesnt get bored. Frankie loves car rides and seems to be good when meeting new people.

He just started humping my fiancee's leg though... and he nips at ankles and gets into weird crazed moods where that's all he can think about. It's hard to get him out of the trance! We are doing our best and trying to stay consistent. I'll probably post a new thread asking for suggestions about these issues.

Thanks again.
 
#14 ·
I agree with what was said, talk to your vet if you trust them about their recommendations. I don't think you should be taking him to the park to run around with all sorts of strange puppies, but having him out in the world shouldn't be a problem. My parents never coddled their puppies before they were fully vaccinated and there has never been a problem. I think socialization is more important, just be smart about where you go for it and who/what is interacting with your puppy.
 
#15 ·
I broke down socialization into two steps. The first was with people. We went to parties where I knew my friends' dogs if they had them were fully vaccinated and visited my nieces and nephews. Once they had everything (rabies and bordetella) we started phase two - socializing we dogs. The minute the vet okayed them to go out we went to the groomers and then the next day the dog park and then to a doggie daycare and the dog park every day for a couple of weeks. It seems like forever, but watch how quickly time passes.

As for the humping, biting. Mine did that when they were tired or hungry. Have you tried to settle him down? Or is it around feeding time? When these two get unbearable, I turn off everything and have them lie next tome on the couch and they usually fall asleep within a minute.

I don't know if I believed 100% when everyone on here said that it gets better. It's so stressful thinking that we do something that'll hurt them somehow when they are so dependent on us. But it really does get better.
 
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