What is the general opinion about taking pups out.

I need to think about a minimum age for dogs coming to my classes.
My own past pups have come out from day 1, and most recently Louis (who is 11 weeks) has been outside on the ground since 6 weeks old.
Anyway this weekend at my class I had a miniature poodle who came along with an owner that I am happy to tell the world I would rather not see again. The vet had told her that he shouldn’t be out until a week after his final vaccinations. The poodle is now 14 weeks, the same size as Louis and terrified. She was a nervous owner, despite having had poodles previously (so she says). The dog doesn’t know it’s name, or how to sit. It got a collar and lead on for the first time that day, and she brings it to my puppy class, where all the confident little pups wanted to play with it.
I was speaking with a fellow dog trainer in a neighbouring city asking her about what age she says to get out, and she recommends to people even if the legs don’t touch the ground that the dog is carried lots of places so see and hear lots of different noises (as do I).
Why then are some vets telling people to keep a dog in until 14 weeks of age? Is this just to cover themselves, or is their a logical reason?
And then of course this owner (who by the way didn’t have a crate so kept the pup in a cardboard box with holes in the boot) started a fuss in the class as a friend of mine who was there with her 8 week old pup (who bullys Louis) is not yet vaccinated.
Is it up to me to visit the vets and tell them that I see these terrified pups attending my classes and to advise people to get them out – or is this right to keep them locked at home for 2 months?

We were advised with both of ours (by the vet) that we couldn't put them on the floor until 1 week after final vacs (11 weeks old) but that we should take them (in arms) out and about as much as possible - to the shops, the vets, home visits, in the car etc.

We did this with both our boys - they could go on the floor in "safe" places, but it were carried all over the place otherwise.

Is it possible that she has misinterpreted the vets advice re taking out? Maybe the vet meant don't put them on the floor etc, and she has taken it literally?

I don't know but I am seeing it more and more around here. Also the fact people are still saying how tiny Louis is and previously 'what is he?' As they just don't see dogs so young out and about. I think I need to change public perception! We all have a problem with 'germs' don't we!?

sounds like she thought the vet ment not allowed out the door until after the jabs .....mine all go out in my arms very young although i wouldn't take a puppy to puppy glass without having the jabs but mine are all done at 10 weeks

I'm wondering whether or not the vets advice was misinterpreted also. As a practice we recommend that the pups are taken outside from as young as possible, getting them used to sounds and smells etc. We encourage clients to carry their pups out and about with them to many different places, letting them meet people etc. We advise that they can start going on the floor a week after their second vaccine by the guidelines set out by the manufacturer of the vaccine.

With the vaccine we used before, the guidelines they set out was 2 weeks after the second vaccine.

I know that some people choose to let their pups out and about on the floor before recommended, and that's fine if that's what they see as suitable. The vets only advise on what they are told.

i would not advise anyone to go to puppy class before the final vaccs are completed and I truly believe it is foolhardy to allow a pup on the ground outside of the house when it is still not fully covered by it's vaccinations, it leaves it open to some killer illnesses and it is a risk that is not worth taking.
I agree that the vets advixe has been misinterpreted though, the pups are fine to be CARRIED as long as it isn't in a heavily dog populated area...My most recent pups haven't been allowed down until around 14 weeks, but they have been very well socialised.
Cosmo delivered Christmas cards with us the day after he arrived and loved the fuss and attention he received.
There IS a risk to pups that are being carried, but you have to compare that to probelms with socialisation if you don't get out and carry them.
A pup doesn't need to go on the floor to be socialised adequately.
I would not attend any classes without where pups were allowed without having been fully vaccinated.

From what I've heard at our training classes, people hear what they want to hear (e.g. from vets, dog trainers) etc.

I think this woman needs sitting down and having someone explain socialisation to her etc (in a nice way!)

As a first time pup owner I was not aware that Fudge was allowed out until one week after her first jabs. She went round to my mum and dads but did not go anywhere else.I think more vets should qualify exactly what not going out means.

I think for a puppy class the dog should have had the last jabs though.

Luckily Fudge was well socialised after the jabs.

I was advised a week after final vaccs but I let them out for short walks after their first vaccs as I am certain that poor socialisation is more likely than contracting anything if you are careful where you walk. Plus with a weim its harder to carry round a 8-12 week old pup, dusty was easier.

I think pups should be exposed to different stimuli as soon as they are settled in their new homes. They should be carried outside so that thet can smell, hear and see all the goings on in the world.

My vet advised that I wait 10 days after Judah's final jab at 10 weeks before letting him on the ground but he was going outside, on the ground about 3 days after the second injection I think.