My pup Is 9 1/2 weeks old and gets his 3rd set of shoots Friday. Is it safe to put him in puppy classes with other dogs? I don't want him to catch anything. Ive heard I should wait as long as 4 months.
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My pup Is 9 1/2 weeks old and gets his 3rd set of shoots Friday. Is it safe to put him in puppy classes with other dogs? I don't want him to catch anything. Ive heard I should wait as long as 4 months.
Don't wait four months, but do not just enroll him anywhere. Make sure the facility and teacher are reputable. If there is any socialization, ask how they deal with it and make sure that is the right thing for your puppy to do. If they have six month old puppies in the class, I would not take advantage of the socialization. Puppy STAR classes are pretty good.
Maxx started puppy k at 10 weeks. It was an AKC puppy STAR class and the 5 puppies in class were between 10-12 weeks old and about the same size. The trainer I used for this class is very careful to match puppy size/age for this class. I absolutely do not think this age is too young for the right class and it is a critical age for socialization. (Not necessarily one on one or a group play situation but being in a new area with new people, other dogs around and new experiences.)
Are you sure it will be his 3rd round of vaccines? Usually at 10-12 weeks they're getting their second round, or so I thought.
I've read that vets allow some puppies to go to puppy classes after 2 rounds of vaccines but you could check with your vet. One of the breeders we got a puppy from didn't want us going to classes until all the shots had been given and she suggested not giving the rabies vaccine until 6 months of age. So, you'll get differing recommendations and I'd see what your vet recommends.
When you go to the vet, try to carry your pup and not let him/her walk around on the floor in the vet's office. It's hard to know what illnesses have been brought into the office and your young pup is still pretty susceptible to illnesses.
agree about getting the "third round" of shots at 10 weeks, i'd ask more questions about vaccination schedule you are on (talk to the vet about it).
Training start day 1 at home. but you should look into puppy classes. classes especially organized for your puppies that work as much on socialization and learning as it does on training. They should be for pups at the same vaccination levels and safe. I generally recommend private schools over pet stores for classes but that depends on the trainers at each place really. i have seen puppy classes for puppies starting at 8-9 weeks.
classes sorta directed for puppies can be better as it's a lot of concentration for a puppy and a regular obedience class would be too long for them (of just straight out obedience) though this depends on the puppy as well (and how you worked up to it)
Check w/ your vet and your planned trainer. Hoku started at I think 9.5 weeks. It's really just socialization and training the humans then, and that is very important!
Haven't talked to the trainer yet, but the vet said wait till he has all his Parvo boosters. That would be 4 months of age. Dang, I want to get him going, but don't want to risk him getting sick.
Jerry... here is both the good and bad news. The puppy is learning the whole time he is awake! You can do a great deal in your own kitchen and I'll bet you are. You can teach him some "vocabulary" SIT, HERE, STAY... (though his stay will be mere moments) and convince your pup he is the most fabulous organism born on the earth. All of these lay the ground work for a successful puppy class. Do you have any puppy socialization/training books, videos, etc.?
Oh yeah were doing a lot of our own with a lot of success. Just thought it would be best to have help from the pros. You tube is a great learning tool. Everything from Sheet rocking to puppy training lol.
Gigi started at 10 weeks, also she came from a farm where her litter was handled and played with but was from breeder. By 4 months she was a monster so at 5 she is calming down and already doing her advanced class.today weighed in at 53 lbs at 5 months and the vet says ideal weight.so start them young as labs get bigger very fast.
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Started here at 10 weeks. Vets who say to wait are typically following the older rules or guidelines. Here is an updated guideline, supported by most if not all trainers and training facilities:
Behavior society supports early puppy socialization
A position statement on early socialization in puppies released in July by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior encourages veterinarians to recommend puppies be socialized before the vaccine series is complete.
The guidelines state puppies can start socialization classes as early as 7 to 8 weeks of age. In general, they should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least seven days prior to the first class as well as a first deworming.
Additionally, puppies should show no signs of illness during the classes and should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class.
While veterinarians are appropriately concerned about infectious disease in young puppies, the fact is that behavioral issues—not infectious diseases—are the number one cause of death for dogs under 3 years of age, according to the AVSAB. Veterinarians contribute to these behavioral issues when recommending pets be kept away from possible germs until their vaccine series is complete, the AVSAB stated.
"Puppies go through a sensitive period of socialization when they are uniquely prepared to benefit from exposure to social opportunities. From the time the owner adopts the puppy until 3 to 4 months of age, it is critical that the owner get the puppy out to meet other animals and people, and experience many different kinds of environments," said AVSAB president, Dr. E. Kathryn Meyer.
"These (unsocialized) puppies may also fail to develop coping mechanisms and grow up into dogs that are unable to adapt to new situations. This can severely inhibit the dog's quality of life as well as the owner's enjoyment of the pet," Dr. Meyer added.
To veterinarians who refrain from recommending early socialization because of the threat of infectious disease, Dr. Meyer suggested taking control of the situation.
"Have the puppy classes in your lobby where you know you can disinfect and you know who has entered," Dr. Meyer said. Doing so will greatly enhance the veterinarian-client-patient relationship. The pet is happier, and when the owners see this, they are more compliant, she explained.
To view a copy of the AVSAB puppy position statement, go to www.AVSABonline.org and click on Position Statements.
Old thread folks... Hopefully Jerry has gotten his pup out and about for several mos now!!! :0
LOL, Yep Max has been through his 3rd 6 week training session. #4 coming soon. I think it turned out he was 12 weeks when he started. Want to get started sooner but he didn't have all his shots and were nervous about Parvo.