Originally Posted by Britster  My opinion may be unpopular, but I NEVER heard of keeping a dog inside until ALL shots were completed until joining this forum. Every dog I've ever known in my life has gone out in their YARD the day they came home, after one or two sets of puppy shots. Rabies often isn't given until 16 weeks or later and there is no way I'd be waiting until 20 weeks old (I think it often takes a few weeks for the shot to 'kick in') to introduce my dog to things. So much socialization is done at that point.
My vet was fine with Jackson being outside in our yard. I brought him home at 9 weeks old and he only had one set of puppy shots and I would walk him on a leash outside on our 3 acres, I also let him run free in my dads fenced in backyard with my dads dog. He didn't even get the rabies vaccine until he was 6 1/2 months old and by that point, he had done a lot. Within his first four 1/2 months of life, he had experienced snow, grass, rain, mud, wind, going to the groomer, etc, etc, etc.
I think you just have to be smart about it. Don't take a puppy to pet stores (although we did this with my dads JRT pup, she was probably only 8 weeks old and my stepmom brought her into K-Mart, Petsmart, etc, when she was tiny. Not saying it's right, I wouldn't do it, but nothing happened to her). Don't do dog parks until they are older. If you hear of parvo outbreaks in your area, for example, then be smart about it, find out what illnesses and diseases are prevalent in your area. Honestly, bringing a young pup into a vets office (which has to be done) is probably more dangerous than letting your pup in the yard in your home, IMO. So many sick dogs come through. |