Outdoor exposure for puppy

1608 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Cracker, Jun 27, 2009

CoverTune

Discussion Starter · Jun 24, 2009

I live in the downtown area of a big city (Toronto) and my new puppy is only 9 weeks old and so, has obviously only had her first set of shots.

I have a lovely, vibrant park across the street from my apartment and though I know I can't take her over there for walks until she has been fully vaccinated, would it be safe for her if I were to take over a blanket and lay on the grass in that?

It would be so nice if I could take both my dogs over there and get some fresh air and let Aria meet new people (NOT dogs though, I know that).. but of course, safety first.

Thanks!

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

peppy264

· #2 · Jun 24, 2009

Yes its fine.

Personally, I would let her meet dogs as well (not strays) as long as you think they are vaccinated (downtown Toronto, I doubt there is any problem) plus run on the grass, meet as many people as possible, everything, just stay close, make sure no dog attacks her and that she stays away from feces etc.

IMHO, the gains from socializing her as early and as much as possible far outweigh the small chance of her catching a disease.

CoverTune

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 24, 2009

Thanks peppy! I'm not very knowledgeable about dog diseases, but I don't think I've seen a dog around here that doesn't have an owner attached, so it likely is fairly safe.

Thank you!

hulkamaniac

· #4 · Jun 24, 2009 (Edited)

I would disagree with Peppy about having her meet other dogs. Just because a dog is vaccinated against disease X doesn't mean they're not carrying disease X. And you certainly can't vouch for every single dog that's ever been through the park. Also, while you can obviously see where feces are, you can't tell where they have been. Your dog's nose however will be able to and this can cause problems. I can't remember, what age do puppies get their second shots?

1stymedawgowner

· #5 · Jun 24, 2009 (Edited)

By no means am I an expert since I have only had my puppy for about three weeks, but I typically walk my puppy on the concrete and ensure he stays of the grass. That is where other dogs "go" and where I believe he will pick up anything nasty.

CoverTune

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 24, 2009

Aria will get her second set of shots at 12 weeks, and third set at 16 weeks.

zxckelly

· #7 · Jun 25, 2009

I say wait until after the second set of shots, and try to take her to safe places to socialize (friends houses, ect). Trust me, I lost a puppy to parvo and it was an absolutely heart breaking experience. Parvo can live in the ground (like at the park) for years.

CoverTune

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 26, 2009

Unfortunately, I haven't got anywhere I can take her to socialize, hmm..

Raggs715

· #9 · Jun 26, 2009

i know its hard but just wait it out...many things can live in the ground where a dog has went to the bathroom, the risks FAR outweight the positives...after your last set of shots at 16 weeks your pup is still young and is a great time to start socializing, IMO i would not risk it...esp in a public park.

peppy264

· #10 · Jun 26, 2009

Dogs get put down all the time for problem behaviors many of which are thought to be at least in part due to inadequate socialization at an early age. What is the chance of contacting parvo, etc off the grass? How often does that really happen? Its a balancing of risks but in my opinion I would definitely take the dog out and get is socialized as much as possible with other dogs, other places etc.

Raggs715

· #11 · Jun 26, 2009

It would be so nice if I could take both my dogs over there and get some fresh air and let Aria meet new people (NOT dogs though, I know that).. but of course, safety first.

shes not even going to be socialzing her dog...its not worth the chance of he dog smelling where a dog has gone and pick up worms or even somthign else...IMO she should wait..

Dogs get put down all the time for problem behaviors many of which are thought to be at least in part due to inadequate socialization at an early age

Dogs also get put down because of a disease they gotten from going outside unvaccinated...

FourIsCompany

· #12 · Jun 26, 2009

CoverTune said:
Unfortunately, I haven't got anywhere I can take her to socialize, hmm..

Do you have a grocery store? A school? I took Jaia to the convenience store across the street from the school and sat there in my car with the windows down. He got to met a lot of kids!

I took him to WalMart and sat in the parking lot and let him hear and watch the cars driving by and hear the crashing of the shopping carts and the kids yelling.

There's a lot more to socialization that meeting other dogs. Almost ANYWHERE you go can be an opportunity for socialization.

I would NOT let him on the grass in a park. No way. But you can carry him EVERYWHERE. I carried Jaia in the vet's office till he had all his shots. And he was a good 35 lbs by that time. LOL

CoverTune

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 26, 2009

So, I've done a bit of reading and it sounds like even the fact that I walk through the park could be exposing Aria to parvo..

Parvo can be brought home to your dog on shoes, hands and even car tires. It can live for many months outside the animal. - http://www.workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm

It just sounds like nowhere is safe as the disease is so hardy..

Colour me confused lol.

zxckelly

· #14 · Jun 26, 2009

Parvo is very hardy. When we got our last pup we would take our shoes off right outside the door and put them in the closet right away to make sure she wouldn't come into contact with anything on them.

Your new pup has a lot of advantages because she alread has the older pup to teach her not to be afraid of many things, and has her around for socialization. Just make sure the new puppy gets to meet lots of people, and try to get her on a large variety of surfaces. Once the vaccines are done she can be introduced to everything else, and no, it won't be too late.

Independent George

· #15 · Jun 27, 2009

CoverTune said:
Unfortunately, I haven't got anywhere I can take her to socialize, hmm..

You're in Toronto! Call your vet, and ask if they offer puppy socialization classes.

Cracker

· #16 · Jun 27, 2009

For one thing, Toronto has a very low incidence of parvovirus and distemper. It's still a risk to go to the park but taking your girl out on the town is okay. She's little and you can carry her if you like to lots of places. Many dogs are allowed on outdoor patios (like the Starbucks patios) and into many stores, though most places that sell food (convenience and grocery stores) do not allow dogs due to health regulations. Furniture stores, gift shops etc are almost always dog friendly.

Many puppy socialization classes are set up in such a way that puppies can go to class as early as 8 weeks. Toronto has many good puppy training classes available and I know of several good ones here (including the one I work at, so I won't post it here) in different areas of town. Pmail me if you like for some recommendations. There is one in the downtown area, near the distillery district that is very well recommended.

If your puppies mum was vaccinated properly and your pup was not weaned too early and her vaccines are utd the risks of contracting viral diseases is low. The puppy boosters are meant to boost the immunity already present and passed on from the mum...

Anyhoo. It's a risk either way...you just do what you can to reduce the risks. I am personally of the same mind as Peppy when it comes to socialization..that the risks of disease (which are small here) compared to the risks of behaviour/fear issues from lack of socialization are negligible.

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