Socialising a puppy safely

As most of you may be aware I collect Zeita on Saturday

However I am now in a panic

Many years ago i had a 6 week old pup GSD called Sabre after only a few days of having him he was hospitalised with Parvo and sadly we lost him.

This affected me very badly the vet did however say he more than likely already was infected when I got him, so I tried to get my money back....no chance

About 1 year later I got Merlin, who was fine, dropped lucky cos he wasn't socialised cos of my fears of losing another dog

Then I got Zak and through my own fear of Parvo striking again I didn't dare take Zak out till he was fully vacinated, this I feel is the cause of his nervous aggression. He was not socialised fully at an early enough age. Also a very very bad trainer who scared the c*** out of him

So my question is how do I socialise Zeita early enough for her to accept people and dogs and everything else WITHOUT putting her in danger of all these nasties out there.

Am really scared of something happening that its spoiling my excitement of getting her

Mel xx

I can understand why you are wary,your pup should have finished his vacc's by 12 weeks and then you can get him out and about,when I got Travis at 8 weeks I took him everywhere with me,If I went to visit my mum in her nursing home he came I carried him from the car and put him down once inside,if we went to pick the kids up from school I would take him in the car but carry him when I got out of the car,good luck

I carried Murphy everywhere... to the shops, to people's houses, in the car, on walks with Max, visits to places like the supermarket, car parks, the beach etc.

I didn't put him down anywhere that I didn't think was safe though!

I also encouraged family etc to stroke him and hold him so he got used to being handled.

thanks for the replies, if people come to our house do I need to make them take their shoes off?

I know I am so scared of her picking something up

I never did, as I hoover up every day anyway, but I made sure everyone washed their hands before (and after) handling the dogs.

One of the only places I never took Murphy for socialisation was P@H, as the one near us is in a not-very-nice area, and I was concerned that even carrying him would put him at risk!

hadn't thought of asking people to wash hands, will get some anti bacterial wash got loads of people wanting to meet her and Im terrified tghat she will catch something

Actually just spoke to my vet about this today. I was asking about bringing an unvaccinated puppy into a house with resident dogs and how safe said pup would be for the few days pre vaccination,if the resident dogs were still ging out and about and returning to and mixing with the pup. He said as long as the resident dogs are fit and well there is no problem as you cannot expect puppies to live in a glass jar. There are going to be risks, you just have to minimise them.

I lost a pup with parvo a few weeks after we got him so I know how you feel. I have had a lot of dogs since then and although I have never taken them out until the vet had said it was ok I would take them to mix with my sons dogs as I knew they were well and vaccinations up to date. As for visitors taking shoes off or washing hands before they handle the dogs I don't think there is any need to go that far. I have never asked anyone to do this and all my other dogs have lived to a good age. You just need to relax and enjoy your new pup as they certainly don't stay small for very long especially a gsd. You must be starting to count down the days now and getting really excited, try not to spoil it by being worried I am sure everything will go fine for you and your new baby.

Great thread, as I wanted to know this when I get my next pup (about bringing un vaccs pup in with vaccs resident dog!!) My vet told me to carry Jamie everywhere, so he can meet new people and experience life.. just not top let him meet strange dogs or go somewhere there is high dog activity....

Zeita will be able to have her 8 weeks jab on the Thursday after we get her, will she get much protection from this? hopefully she will get some so i feel as though we improve our chances somewhat.

Gosh its coming up so fast now