Agree^^^ You couldnt pay me 1 million dollars to socialize my dog that way. That in a big dog especially is a recipe for disaster. Maybe with a small dog you can get away with it but I can gaurantee you that a big one ohhh heck no. Your dog needs to experinence normal life to be able to function well in society.
I'm Curious - Parvo, Puppies, and Socialization
- Thread starter Fleera
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Agree^^^ You couldnt pay me 1 million dollars to socialize my dog that way. That in a big dog especially is a recipe for disaster. Maybe with a small dog you can get away with it but I can gaurantee you that a big one ohhh heck no. Your dog needs to experinence normal life to be able to function well in society.
I think you have good intentions but I really can't imagine keeping a dog cooped up inside for soooo long. I mean that socialization window is pretty much closed by 5 months. There's so much outside that they need to get accustomed to, so many noises and smells and different textures. I remember when Juno was terrified of garbage trucks. She got used to it pretty quickly but that would have been tough if she would have been older.
I would imagine your backyard would have to be safe?? If my dogs were going to get parvo, my backyard is certainly the last place they'd contract it from.
There's always a risk. There is a ginormous mosquito population where I live, I use heartworm preventative but nothing is 100% effective... so even though my dogs COULD still become infected with HW, I certainly don't deprive them of running around outside. IMO that would be more detrimental.
I would imagine your backyard would have to be safe?? If my dogs were going to get parvo, my backyard is certainly the last place they'd contract it from.
There's always a risk. There is a ginormous mosquito population where I live, I use heartworm preventative but nothing is 100% effective... so even though my dogs COULD still become infected with HW, I certainly don't deprive them of running around outside. IMO that would be more detrimental.
My last puppy who was a FULLY vaccinated pug mix died from parvo within two days of showing symptoms and being taken to the e-vet. Never again will I not take parvo seriously. Bob who is now 4 years old got parvo and was hospitalized for 2 weeks. He was only a 6 week old puppy who still nursed off his mother when he got it. He missed out on everything while he recovered and hes very nervous still and antisocial with strange dogs.
Gunnar just got his 4th vaccination and is about 4 months old and I an going to start letting him outside ( he hasnt even been in the backyard). Hes had plenty of socialization seeing as there are 10 other dogs for him to socialize with. Im going to take him on his first dog park trip soon.
Parvo is VERY serious in my city, and vets have even found a new strain they call "Super parvo virus" that even vaccinated puppies are dying from. Bob would have died except he had blood transfusions and tried brand new medications. It took him a few months to fully recover, he got mange from the vet since his immune system was so messed up.
You may not worry now and care more about puppy socialization more, but once you have a puppy whose life is messed up or he dies because of parvo you will be much more cautious. I care much more about protecting Gunnar's life then if he meets new dogs.5 month old puppies can still be socialized just fine
Gunnar just got his 4th vaccination and is about 4 months old and I an going to start letting him outside ( he hasnt even been in the backyard). Hes had plenty of socialization seeing as there are 10 other dogs for him to socialize with. Im going to take him on his first dog park trip soon.
Parvo is VERY serious in my city, and vets have even found a new strain they call "Super parvo virus" that even vaccinated puppies are dying from. Bob would have died except he had blood transfusions and tried brand new medications. It took him a few months to fully recover, he got mange from the vet since his immune system was so messed up.
You may not worry now and care more about puppy socialization more, but once you have a puppy whose life is messed up or he dies because of parvo you will be much more cautious. I care much more about protecting Gunnar's life then if he meets new dogs.5 month old puppies can still be socialized just fine
Do you take them to the dog park and such places? Because if you do, they can carry it back to the pup. It can come into your home on your shoes & clothing..........
Considering all the places my pup has been and the fact that she has been at indoor agility trials for her 3, 5 & 7 month birthdays, meeting countless people and strange dogs along with walking on surfaces where hundreds of dogs have walked.................I expect she has been exposed to it and is now healthier for it.
Wrong.
Socialization doesn't mean socializing with other dogs in the house. It means having exposure regularly to a vast variety of novel things. And it's absolutely true that you can bring parvo home on your shoes. Keeping a puppy isolated in a bubble is doing it no service whatsoever.
I think on account of your sad experience with parvo, it's caused you to look at things in an all or nothing way. This is not rational and it is not necessary. Most dog behavior and health experts will be of the mind to take reasonable precautions while amply socializing a young puppy.
Socialization doesn't mean socializing with other dogs in the house. It means having exposure regularly to a vast variety of novel things. And it's absolutely true that you can bring parvo home on your shoes. Keeping a puppy isolated in a bubble is doing it no service whatsoever.
I think on account of your sad experience with parvo, it's caused you to look at things in an all or nothing way. This is not rational and it is not necessary. Most dog behavior and health experts will be of the mind to take reasonable precautions while amply socializing a young puppy.
Good point about the shoes, or even your other dogs. Unless all your dog also are restricted to inside you aren't safe. I mean if you feel your backyard isn't safe!!!! If you take your dog to the vet and bring it home you are place a much much greater risk to your puppy than if the puppy romps all over your yard!
As a breeder I wouldn't sell to someone who would keep a puppy locked up for 4 months. I see far to many JRTs with serious issues due to lack of socialization to novel things. And those who can't get into a resuce DIE for this.
Kat is 9 months. She has gone all over the place. Even pre shots. As well shots only reduce the risk, not eliminate it (I think that has been mentioned). Be smart and provide what is best for your puppy. If you have a child will you keep the child in a bubble in the house until he/she is fully vaccinated?
As a breeder I wouldn't sell to someone who would keep a puppy locked up for 4 months. I see far to many JRTs with serious issues due to lack of socialization to novel things. And those who can't get into a resuce DIE for this.
Kat is 9 months. She has gone all over the place. Even pre shots. As well shots only reduce the risk, not eliminate it (I think that has been mentioned). Be smart and provide what is best for your puppy. If you have a child will you keep the child in a bubble in the house until he/she is fully vaccinated?
Ok, I've got a question about this.
I'm bringing a puppy home in June. Now, I go to my dog park almost everyday with my current two dogs and to the petstore a few times a week with Kaylee. Would not bringing the puppy to the dog park, the petstore or other high traffic dog area's really change the chance of the pup being brought into contact with parvo since it can be carried by humans and dogs into the house?
I'm bringing a puppy home in June. Now, I go to my dog park almost everyday with my current two dogs and to the petstore a few times a week with Kaylee. Would not bringing the puppy to the dog park, the petstore or other high traffic dog area's really change the chance of the pup being brought into contact with parvo since it can be carried by humans and dogs into the house?
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I dont think it matters how many dogs you have, dogs need to be socialized to different situations, people, places, OTHER dogs, etc..
if number of dogs were the only thing needed, breeders wouldnt do all they do to make sure pups/dogs are well socialized. that includes taking them out, car rides, grass, tile, squirrels, etc.. etc.. a house just doesnt cut it.
I cant imagine keeping a dog/pup cooped up in a house for that long! especially with 11 other dogs running around, talk about crowded lol
there is a risk in everything and taking a pup out to safer places (no dog parks, etc..) is worth it. IMO
if number of dogs were the only thing needed, breeders wouldnt do all they do to make sure pups/dogs are well socialized. that includes taking them out, car rides, grass, tile, squirrels, etc.. etc.. a house just doesnt cut it.
I cant imagine keeping a dog/pup cooped up in a house for that long! especially with 11 other dogs running around, talk about crowded lol
there is a risk in everything and taking a pup out to safer places (no dog parks, etc..) is worth it. IMO
I can only tell you what I would do if I had a new puppy and used a dog park. I would not use the dog park until the pup had a couple of the series of vaccinations. I would steer clear of Petsmart. I would however, take the pup on walks. Yes, a pup with parvo might have walked there. I'd get together with known, healthy and safe pups/dogs. But first, before even getting the pup, I'd ask the vets about any reported cases of parvo in the area. In other words, I'd minimize the risk by not bombarding the pup with many other dogs in high concentration that I don't know. But I would not exclude socialization. You have to take a pup to the vet's and of course, that's a good place to get the pup use to, but again....I'd ask if there had been any dogs in there with parvo....is it safe to pop in for a couple minutes to say "hi." (that helps to reduce fear of vets.)
When I went to pick up Lyric, my Dobe pup in Montana, as I was driving back, I stopped at a gas station in a rural area. I asked the gal inside if it would be okay to let my pup out in the back of their place in a sort of field of grass, to go potty. She said, there had been parvo in that town and she didn't advise my letting my pup out at all. I freaked. There I had walked... in the parking area, into the store. When I used her bathroom, there was some Chlorox cleaner spray and I sprayed my shoes down and took a paper towel with some on it and wiped my shoes again as I got into the car. I drove out of that town so fast and didn't let poor puppy out to go until much, much later. LOL.
When I went to pick up Lyric, my Dobe pup in Montana, as I was driving back, I stopped at a gas station in a rural area. I asked the gal inside if it would be okay to let my pup out in the back of their place in a sort of field of grass, to go potty. She said, there had been parvo in that town and she didn't advise my letting my pup out at all. I freaked. There I had walked... in the parking area, into the store. When I used her bathroom, there was some Chlorox cleaner spray and I sprayed my shoes down and took a paper towel with some on it and wiped my shoes again as I got into the car. I drove out of that town so fast and didn't let poor puppy out to go until much, much later. LOL.
Living in an area riddled with parvo and having fostered many dogs with it I would not take a chance.
After a dogs second shots I will allow them out.
But really you can get it anywhere. Our vet said it is so rampant here at times they think it spreads by birds as some dogs get it that have never left the home or had contact with people out looking at pups.
Biggest things we follow now are no people coming to play with the pups until they are older. To many people go see multiple dogs and visit bybs and pet stores etc to spread stuff around.
No floors in the vets office.
No stores like petco. I would even try to avoid going as all it takes is getting it on your shoe.
It is heartbreaking to go through. And even once they get over it it leaves them susceptible to other illness and lifelong gastro issues. Work with your dog in home,those coupld of weeks will not make or break.
A lot of people also do not understand how the parvo or the vaccines work. Its agood thing to read up on. People get pups at six weeks that have been with mom and had first shots but if they have any of moms immunity left from nursing recently it will not take. This is why there is a puppy series.
And I have always volunteered for the big rott and dobe mixes,breeds that socialization can be extra important.
Only problem we ever had was the dobe mix my cousin ended up keeping who was hospitalized for weeks with parvo. That did severely mess up his socialization and I think it was a lot of issue with pain associated with people. He had it the worse. I bet he would have been fine had we been able to start working with him after his second series.
After a dogs second shots I will allow them out.
But really you can get it anywhere. Our vet said it is so rampant here at times they think it spreads by birds as some dogs get it that have never left the home or had contact with people out looking at pups.
Biggest things we follow now are no people coming to play with the pups until they are older. To many people go see multiple dogs and visit bybs and pet stores etc to spread stuff around.
No floors in the vets office.
No stores like petco. I would even try to avoid going as all it takes is getting it on your shoe.
It is heartbreaking to go through. And even once they get over it it leaves them susceptible to other illness and lifelong gastro issues. Work with your dog in home,those coupld of weeks will not make or break.
A lot of people also do not understand how the parvo or the vaccines work. Its agood thing to read up on. People get pups at six weeks that have been with mom and had first shots but if they have any of moms immunity left from nursing recently it will not take. This is why there is a puppy series.
And I have always volunteered for the big rott and dobe mixes,breeds that socialization can be extra important.
Only problem we ever had was the dobe mix my cousin ended up keeping who was hospitalized for weeks with parvo. That did severely mess up his socialization and I think it was a lot of issue with pain associated with people. He had it the worse. I bet he would have been fine had we been able to start working with him after his second series.
Recommended reading:
Here's what canine professionals (veterinarians, behaviorists with degrees in behavior) have to say about early socialization and it's importance that will help you understand why a month most definitely can make a big difference. There are some adorable pictures of puppies too.
Socialization
Here's what canine professionals (veterinarians, behaviorists with degrees in behavior) have to say about early socialization and it's importance that will help you understand why a month most definitely can make a big difference. There are some adorable pictures of puppies too.
Socialization
I have taken him to work to socialize him because I want to work on him being a therapy dog (I work at a nursing home), I forgot to mention that though!
Yes they can, Pet stores are indoors, I just wont let them on the ground. I am only freaked out if he will be around feces, bottoms of peoples shoes. I see no problem with him socializing in a clean environment.
They can see that out a window, and he has. Hes been on car rides.
Pee pads, and I must say he hasn't gone off them at all. But now hes being trained to go outside, since hes fully vaccinated.
This inst a dog locked in a crate for 4 months. He has been outside, just hasn't been allowed to be on the ground. He has been around all kinds of people, smells, sights, sounds.
And I didn't mean indoors as in your home. I meant other peoples homes, other places.
Yes they can, Pet stores are indoors, I just wont let them on the ground. I am only freaked out if he will be around feces, bottoms of peoples shoes. I see no problem with him socializing in a clean environment.
They can see that out a window, and he has. Hes been on car rides.
Pee pads, and I must say he hasn't gone off them at all. But now hes being trained to go outside, since hes fully vaccinated.
This inst a dog locked in a crate for 4 months. He has been outside, just hasn't been allowed to be on the ground. He has been around all kinds of people, smells, sights, sounds.
And I didn't mean indoors as in your home. I meant other peoples homes, other places.
He was outside when I found him , and he was 3 1/2 months old. So yes, he has. We are just taking the precautions to protect him. You would have to live in this area to understand, everyone keeps their puppies safe from parvo around here, its very serious.
Okay, socialization has nothing to do with feeling mud on his paws. That is something that really doesn't matter. I care more about his human socialization and other animal socialization then if he has been in mud and puddles.
, and he was 3 1/2 months old. So yes, he has. We are just taking the precautions to protect him. You would have to live in this area to understand, everyone keeps their puppies safe from parvo around here, its very serious. Okay, socialization has nothing to do with feeling mud on his paws. That is something that really doesn't matter. I care more about his human socialization and other animal socialization then if he has been in mud and puddles.
He was outside when I found him , and he was 3 1/2 months old. So yes, he has. We are just taking the precautions to protect him. You would have to live in this area to understand, everyone keeps their puppies safe from parvo around here, its very serious.
Okay, socialization has nothing to do with feeling mud on his paws. That is something that really doesn't matter. I care more about his human socialization and other animal socialization then if he has been in mud and puddles.
, and he was 3 1/2 months old. So yes, he has. We are just taking the precautions to protect him. You would have to live in this area to understand, everyone keeps their puppies safe from parvo around here, its very serious. Okay, socialization has nothing to do with feeling mud on his paws. That is something that really doesn't matter. I care more about his human socialization and other animal socialization then if he has been in mud and puddles.
I can't say I agree at all with carrying a puppy everywhere.