Puppy vaccinations, and other dogs...

Firstly, I wanted to ask a question that I have already asked When do you let your puppies down on the ground for walks? I asked this a while back, but thought there was no harm in asking again

The main reason for this post was, that I have been thinking (not bad for me ) and I know we are told not to walk pups until they have had the vaccinations and then to wait a week. But, what about when you have other dogs? Surely, if there is anything to catch, you still have the risk of bringing it into the house on either your other dogs, or even you?

And, we are told to socialise pups with as many people as possible and to carry them to where they can meet people... but, some of those people could have dogs (and in my experience, most people who are interested in random dogs, generally have them themselves). So, surely that is a risk to the pups as well? Do you think the risk is really so big to take them out early?

I just cannot decide what to do with Arrow... I don't want him to catch anything but at the same time, I think the risk is extremely small. He had his first vaccination last week, and isn't due his next for 2 weeks (3 weeks after the first) and then the vet said to not take him out for at least a week after that... so, that is 3 weeks from now until he is allowed out. That seems too long for me...

Oh, another wee add on question while I am at it I have heard conflicting advice over whether the beach is a safe place for pups, is it safer or is it a larger risk? I have heard both

I took my last two puppies out for a walk (not that we got much further than the end of the road!) on the day they had their last vaccination. I guess they must have been 10-11 weeks? I can't remember when they have the second jab.

I would not take them out for a walk on the ground before that. JMHO.

I put my pups on the ground from Day 1 at 7 weeks and then vaccinate a couple of weeks later (they already have maternal antibodies so IMHO vaccinating that early is pointless at best and potentially harmful at worst).

Have no idea why anyone should believe the beach is a bigger risk than anywhere else.

Did you walk them at 7 weeks of age?

Well I do not WALK them as such ie put them on the lead and walk them x metres but for example Arrow went up to the gallops at 7 weeks old off the lead and was put on the lead to watch the horses go past, his first introduction to horses.

did the same at various locations with people, sheep, poultry, cows, supermarket trollies, buses, trains etc etc

I did not carry him, too bloody heavy!

Mine were out and about from the day we got them, that included various parks, beaches, estates, forestry, other people's houses, other people's gardens, shops etc etc, all with lots of dogs (although not random strange dogs).

They weren't walked per say, more we stood about while they played for a bit.

Fair enough. I drove to places and did those things too but usually carried the pup.

It is up to you really, Lozzi. I think provided you are sensible about where you take him (avoiding popular dog walking areas) I would say the risk is pretty minimal.

Being out and about is pretty knackering for a puppy even if they are being carried.

My friends were told by their vet not to even let their pup out in the garden till after 2nd jabs as of the risk from foxes!!

and of course they are having behavioural problems cos she wasnt socalised

Ben was little so I just zipped him up in my jacket and carried him everywhere (including putting a hat and sunglases on him to get him tru the shopping center

He was from dogs trust - had had 1 lot of jabs - then for some reason had 2 more lots
I followed advice up till the 2nd lot then let him on the ground and to meet other dogs and stuff - figured that was more important

and he is pretty good with other dogs (and fit as a flea)

Some of the risk:benefit ratio depends where you are and the infection risk there at that time.

I know someone who lost a vaccinated young pup to parvo after a fortnight. It was walked from it's first vaccine. They did not take their next puppy out until the vaccines were fully effective and that one was fine, despite them and their other dog still going out daily.

I know other people who haven't had a medical problem with taking their puppies out from the first day they got them.

It is a horrible and highly virulent disease and a young puppy can go from apparently fine to be dead in ~24hours.

Personally I wouldn't risk it but there is not one single definitive answer to do so or not.

I did as I was advised by the vet and until a week (iirc) after Gelert's second vaccination he wasn't on the ground at all outside of the house/garden. I'm very glad I did so as I found out afterwards that more than one pup in the area had died of parvo at around this time.
Yes, he was a bit heavy towards the end but I managed. He is also a very outgoing, social dog. That may be largely down to luck or genes, I don't know, but doing it the way I did hasn't appeared to have had an adverse affect on him.