Not Only CAN You Socialize Your Unvaccinated Puppy, You Absolutely MUST!! Did you know that a puppy's primary socialization period is from 3 to 12-14 weeks of age?? That's WEEKS not MONTHS! During this phase your puppy is primed to learn about the world around them.
Although the puppy is not fully protected by the vaccination until 2 weeks after the second dose we recommend any age puppies can: Go in owner's garden. Meet vaccinated dogs belonging to friends/neighbours etc. Be carried outside.
The good news is that socialisation can begin even before your pup has been vaccinated, you just need to be safe and sensible about it. Puppies usually go to new homes at the minimum age of eight weeks old when they're not fully vaccinated, so can't get fully out and about just yet.
Humans too can have life-threatening complications if their pet is not treated or left unvaccinated for the diseases. Thus, make sure all your pets are vaccinated and treated against the virus and bacterial infection.
Eight-to-ten weeks is the age at which most breeders send puppies to their new homes, and it is important to let buyers know that they need to continue with socialization when they get their new puppy home. The pups need to continue meeting new people.
Until the puppies have had at least two sets of puppy vaccinations, the answer is NO. There are several reasons why we do not let anyone around the puppies between birth and 6 - 8 weeks...and all those reasons are to protect the puppies.
Do puppies need vaccines? Yes! While there's debate around this in the media, any qualified veterinary professional will tell you that puppies absolutely need to be vaccinated. They should be given an initial course of vaccines, and then booster injections throughout their lifespan to ensure they stay protected.
Unvaccinated puppies, less than 6 months old, are particularly prone to parvovirus infections and often get the most severe signs. Fortunately, we can protect our dogs from parvovirus by vaccinating them regularly throughout their life. Parvovirus attacks the lining of the guts.
Unvaccinated puppies are especially at risk of contracting parvovirus, since their immune system is weaker than an adult dog's, hence the likelihood of puppy's death being at 91% chance. If your dog has not finished receiving their first round of parvovirus, avoid taking them out unless absolutely necessary.
It is best to build up your puppy's new experiences slowly at first. People come in all different shapes and sizes and your puppy should have the opportunity to encounter them all. Get him used to strangers but be careful that they don't scare or overwhelm him with a strong show of affection.
Unvaccinated puppies can be safely socialized with fully-vaccinated adult dogs in safe environments like your home. Most puppy classes require proof of vaccination before you can enroll your puppy.
Step #2: Introduce Them to People
Although your puppy should not meet other dogs until they're fully vaccinated, they can be introduced to humans in the meantime! The more friendly people your dog meets, the more comfortable they will be meeting new faces down the road.
Parvo can be found in almost any environment. It is transmitted when a susceptible dog comes in contact with the virus. This includes contact with the feces of an infected dog, or objects that contain the virus (shoes, clothes, bedding, bowls, grass, carpets, floors, etc).
Potty Breaks for Young Puppies
When you bring an eight-week-old dog home, you can start puppy house training by taking him out to go to the bathroom on a regular basis. Since young puppies have tiny bladders, you'll have to take them out for potty breaks often.
If you take your unvaccinated puppy to a public place do not place them on the ground. Be cautious about letting your puppy meet another dog unless they are fully vaccinated. Start their vaccinations at 8 weeks. Wait 1-2 weeks after their second vaccination before walking them outdoors.
If dogs aren't vaccinated at a young age, they will be vulnerable to diseases such as rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, canine parvovirus, Lyme disease, canine influenza, leptospirosis, and kennel cough.
But, if for any reason you are unsure if your dog has had its vaccinations, consult your vet for advice. It does not hurt to repeat the course of injections.
Parvovirus can be life-threatening for young dogs. If your puppy is yet to have their first vaccination, it's important to keep them away from other dogs and out of public places in order to minimise exposure to the virus.
Puppies should be at least 10-12 weeks old before they're ready to start socializing and going outside in public places. This allows them time to get all of their vaccinations and build up their immune system so that they're not as susceptible to illness from another animal or person.
Socializing Your Puppy
If you're wondering when can puppies go outside away from home, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommends that pet guardians begin taking puppies on walks and public outings as early as one week after their first round of vaccinations, at about seven weeks old.
In Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months and Basic Dog Obedience, I advise people to not allow strangers to touch their dog.
Receive vaccines
The top way to prevent parvo is to get your dog vaccinated. Puppies should get their first dose between six and eight weeks of age. They'll then need boosters every three weeks until they're 16 weeks old.
We advise that your puppy is not allowed out until after the second vaccination. However, you puppy may go out in your own garden for toilet training and can mix with other healthy, fully vaccinated friend's and family's dogs within their own gardens.
You'll need to wait until your puppy is fully covered by their vaccines before they can meet most other dogs. By waiting, you will help to reduce the risk of them getting the nasty diseases that vaccines protect against.