inoculations... waiting for 2nd

[bellasmum]

Hi, Can I have a general idea of what members think of the idea of waiting for the 2nd injection before I take my pup out. My concience feels bad about putting Buddy at risk.He is 10 weeks old, and had his first jab on Monday. He is very lively and getting bored now.Am surrounded by toys, he is becoming bored with ball games.What did you all do???? My good old girl was only put to sleep weeks ago, so very unsure.

[Bill]

I say take him out. He needs socialization and its 1,000 times easier before they reach 16 weeks of age. The socialization window closes at 16 weeks and it's much more difficult if not impossible to socialize after that point.

[Stephanie]

If it worries you, then you must do what feels right for you. I walk dogs from puppies and I don't take them out until they have had their 2nd jab. If you don't want to walk him on the pavement, then carry him to the nearest bus stop and just sit there with him on your lap. Chances are he will have lots of experiances just through doing that - traffic and people, children going by. Invite as many different people and children of all ages round to your house to meet and handle him. Take him out for car rides too - all these experiances will help him with his socialising. Also, check out any puppy socialisation classes in your area - these are not training classes as such - they are more play classes for puppies to meet and mix with each other......go on your own and sit and watch the classes to be sure it is run properly. Oh and he is bored because you are not exercising his mind - have you started any training with him - sit, downs etc? Mental activity is far more tiring than physical activity.

[bellasmum]

Hi Stepanie, thanks for your words of wisdom. Yes have thought about it and he is too precious to me to take a risk.Do you know,we havent got any bustops nearby within 15 mins walk with seats!! and e is 7.5 kilos and doesnt like to be carried now! Car rides we have done, hes happy looking out of window.Puppy socialising wont take him here until he has 2nd inoc. and yes training is ongoing.... hidden things etc. so thankful for your advice.Am practicing walking up and down garden with lead for the big event!!

[Stephanie]

Aww, bless, you could always drive to a bus stop, park up and then sit there? Bill is right, the first 16 weeks are pretty crucial, so it is best to give him as many positive experiances as you can during this time. Have you posted any pics of Buddy on here yet? It would be nice to see some

[bellasmum]

Hi again, Well we had a BIG event this morning, I dont drive, but my hubs was home today, so we went for drive to local village green, sat Buddy on a coat and let him take in the surroundings.He was wimpering a bit, but will be doing it everyday now till he has all clear.So thanks for your advice.Bad news is that the last time he was in car, was trip to
vets for his injection, so whether it was that or not, but boy did he cry today in car, and struggled....now I have deep scratch from my nose to lip, where he caught me.Its a good job I love hom! so more very short car trips I think,especially as we have a motorhome!!!

[Stephanie]

Oh no, I am sorry to read about this, and sorry to read that you got hurt too....poor Buddy must have panicked. You may need to take it a few steps backwards and start by making the car a more positive place before you even go anywhere. This means just getting him in the car and giving him a few treats etc, then turning the engine on and giving him a few more treats etc, then driving a little way, etc, etc. Just throwing ideas out here. Also, lots of trips in the car to nice places - visiting friends maybe, and lots of trips where you don't actually go anywhere - just drive around and come back. Doing this can often takes the excitement out of car journeys as the dog never knows whether the trip is going to end up in a park or back at home again or at the dreaded vets!

[bellasmum]

Hi Stepanie, thanks for both our messages. Yes we are going to take things very slowly at this crucial time. When he has lost the terror of the car we will do the same with motorhome.Regarding yesterdays trip to the village green, he was on the floor for about 5 minutes and standing on a blanket, so thanks for your concern.After having mixed up rescue dogs we want to get things right.thanks again, much appreciated, will try to sort out how to put a few pics of Buddy on here ??!!