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Originally Posted by capt_noonie  I totally agree with this, and I am one in the camp who do not do booster shots annually. After their puppy shots I am done. Except for fosters and rescues; those have to have new shots before they come into rescue unless the previous owner had good records and they had already had shots within the previous year.
In the same vein, I always think about those parents who bring those shopping cart liners for their human babies when they go to the market. You know those cute patterned comfy looking liners they put in the child seating area of the shopping carts. Those are supposed to protect the child from germs right? I don't understand then, after they are done shopping, they go back to their car, take off the liner, throw it in the back of their car, then bring inside their home, do they take it directly straight into the washing machine? If they don't wash it after every single use, they are just bringing more germs home with them.
We never had such a thing when we were kids and we turned out fine, for the most part. |
This is an interesting thread! And this is just my opinion, but I'm in the boat that my Scottie can walk wherever I let him, when he's on the leash, which includes PetSmart. He needs his exercise and I like him exposed to as many places and environments as possible so he's socialized and not afraid of places/things. Based on what I've read, I also agree that exposure builds immunity and I also don't believe in booster shots after the first year (even if you do do booster shots, they say the effects of the shots can last 3-5 years!).
Having said that, I am on full alert whenever there is another dog around big or small and make sure to protect my baby if there's any hostility between the dogs. Not to mention, Scottie is an instigator, so I usually
need to be alert so that he doesn't get himself into trouble.
About germs...well Scottie is an interesting yet disgusting animal - he loves poop of any animal. I try really hard not to let him eat it, but he has. I think if I had gone the route of keeping him home with pee pads and not leash walking him, I'd be carrying him everywhere I go as well. But then, I live in a small space so I had to house train him to go outside (don't want my place to stink and he needs his exercise). But it really is a difference of opinion. I don't think there's a right or wrong. The streets are
very dirty. I use dog shampoo to wash his feet every single time he gets home, which can be a pain, but necessary for my home.
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Originally Posted by Jkpal Piper likes to lead the way in pet stores and enjoys shopping--going from treat isles to fish section (I don't know, I just let her take me around). I am ever-vigilant and scoop her up if another dog is around; owners say, "Oh, don't worry, he's big, but friendly." Well, that may be true, but I don't know the owner or their dog--so who's to say? I respond by telling them that Piper doesn't like being around big dogs (and I totally get and respect that). And though stated several times in many different posts, it cannot be stressed enough, that with little canines, one simply cannot be too careful. |
I've heard this so many times, "he's big, but friendly". While this may (or may not) be true, their 5 pound paw could side swipe my 5 pound yorkie at any time, so I don't let my Scottie near bigger dogs. It's just too scary what could potentially happen and I could not live with myself for not better protecting him.