Socializing your puppy before they're fully vaccinated? Here's some advice to follow
Certified dog trainer Melissa Goodman of Mission Pawsitive offers valuable advice on socializing puppies before they're fully vaccinated. Goodman highlights the importance of socialization during a puppy's first 16 weeks of life, a critical period in their development.
Goodman advises that even if a puppy isn't fully vaccinated, it's important to take them outside as much as possible. Riley, a 10-week-old dog, can take in smells, see, and hear everything going on around her while being carried outside without any risk. Carrying a puppy or putting them in a stroller/wagon is an option for areas not sanitary enough for them to walk.
Goodman is cautious about letting puppies walk in pet stores but allows them in hardware stores for short distances. She emphasises the importance of being mindful of where puppies walk on the ground, suggesting the outside of grocery stores, restaurant patios, and parks as safe places for puppies. It's possible to safely socialize a puppy before they're fully vaccinated, as long as the environment is controlled and triggers and exposures are carefully managed.
Goodman also recommends safe, controlled environments such as your home, quiet gardens, or low-traffic hallways for socializing puppies before full vaccination. Additionally, she suggests carefully managed puppy socialization classes and group courses with controlled interaction among well-vaccinated dogs to gradually introduce social experiences while minimizing health risks.
For more comprehensive advice on socializing a puppy, Goodman directs readers to her article titled "I'm a dog behaviorist and these are my six tips for socializing a puppy". By following her guidance, puppy owners can ensure their furry friends are well-rounded and well-adjusted, ready to take on the world once they're fully vaccinated.
