Hello everyone. We are gong to be new Weim owners in about seven weeks. I am confused about the first two months or so home with us. I read everywhere that early socialization is very important and I read that puppies shouldn't be exposed to other dogs or high traffic areas before 2 weeks after their last Parvo vaccine (which is when? 16 weeks???). I'm not sure what to do. Many friends of mine have put their pups into puppy kindergarten at 12 weeks ... what do I do??? I couldn't imagine exposing our new pup but I want him to be highly socialized also. We are also planning to go on vacation with him when he's ... about 20 weeks. I never thought this would be a problem ... other than slow house training issues. What do you seasoned Weim owners suggest?

Yes I know it can be confusing. I suggest that you socialize your pup with dogs who you know have been vaccinated and are safe bets. It doesn't mean that they cannot contract it from a healthy and known dog. I mean, they could bring something back from the dog park or whatever. So yes, there are risk, but there are also risk when you have a dog that isn't socialized. So use your best judgement. Avoid dog parks, rest stops, etc. If you are somewhere where the risks are high (LIKE A VETS OFFICE) carry your pup.

We found this confusing too

We enrolled in puppy school which allowed pups from 8 - 16 weeks with vaccination certificates only and my husband carried him everywhere, farmers markets, shops, round the block, you name it

I really really have to disagree... It depends on the area you are in. In my area- rural, coastal, NC- Parvo is RAMPID. Dogs come in with Parvo that have never even left the property they are born on. We had a dog come in with parvo that had been vaccinated twice by a vet already. I will not take my dogs ANYWHERE without having their full set of vaccines.

Gonna play a bit of devil's advocate here because the question IS confusing since it's not black and white.

scrbear11 wrote:Dogs come in with Parvo that have never even left the property they are born on.

If dogs are coming in with parvo that haven't even left the property, I would kind of figure you might as well socialize the dog and take your chances if the chances are already high on one's own property....

scrbear11 wrote:We had a dog come in with parvo that had been vaccinated twice by a vet already.

This is not unusual. People need to understand how vaccinations work. It's not a cumulative effect; it's one of timing. You can have a ton of shots as a pup, but if the timing is off, it's not going to work, it only works when the maternal antibodies wear off.

scrbear11 wrote:I will not take my dogs ANYWHERE without having their full set of vaccines.

A full set of vaccines, as in up to the booster? I mean theoretically, a dog is not really, truly (technically) fully vaccinated until they've had their puppy series plus a booster. In reality though, even the most conservative would consider fully vaccinated after the pup has had its last puppy shot. But... it is possible that even with the last puppy shot, the maternal antibodies are still blocking the vaccine. Unlikely, but possible.

Another thing to consider is that an unsocialized or under-socialized dog, particularly those with innate temperament issues, could be a higher candidate for problems, rehoming, even euthanization. So I consider puppy socialization highly important. Important enough to take CALCULATED risks.

Lastly, I'll say it again - A vets office is probably the most "germy" place around. Dogs WITH parvo go there, and the number of dogs in and out of vets offices are high. And it's not just the dogs there, it's the dogs that they have had contact with. For instance, a litter that my boy sired contracted parvo. Oh, the pups didn't go anywhere, they got it from another dog in the house who brought it home from a show. That dog didn't get sick as she was about a year old but who knows what these dogs, even well cared for dogs, can step in and bring home. If I worked at a vets office, I would worry about what I could potentially be bringing home on my shoes. It's not just a matter of going out, you have to think about what is coming in also.

Thank you all very much for your responses. ihlenfea, thank you for the book recommendation. I have three titles on the way. She sounds great!

I am VERY concerned now. We have planned a family vacation in the outer banks of NC with our pup who will be about 20 weeks old. I never thought in a million years this would be too young but now I am concerned. When are they ... Parvo resistent usually??? One year? 20 weeks? 16 weeks? I thought walking our pup on the beach would be great. Now I am concerned and wondering what I should do with him. Any advice? You know I feel exactly like I did whenmy only son was born ... everyone had to wash their hands before they could come near him!

sonta wrote:When are they ... Parvo resistent usually??? One year? 20 weeks? 16 weeks?

Hmmm I think when I have some time I will write up something about how vaccines work, but in the mean time the short (and sloppy) version:

Puppies get immunity from their moms when they are born, maternal antibodies. But they wear off, anywhere between 8 -14 weeks, with the large majority wearing off around 10-12 weeks. (I will put citations on my "official" article at some point.)

The purpose of giving a series of puppy shots is to "catch" that window where the maternal antibodies wear off. No one knows exactly when for any particular puppy.

This is why a pup that is vaccinated at 8 weeks might still get parvo at 9 weeks.

Based on these assumptions, you can probably safely say (but never 100% sure) that your pup, if given a standard series of puppy shots, should be protected after his last shot which should be given around 12 weeks or so.

The BEST protection -- but impractical and NOT RECOMMENDED -- is ONE SHOT between 6-12 months. If socialization were not SO important, ideally, you would give a single vaccination at 6 months when the pups immune system is mature. This gives the dog immunity FOR LIFE. Of course this is not recommended as you have an open window between 2 - 6 months when there potentially no protection.

I understand that purpose for Dr. Dodd's vaccine recommendations for Weims- but in my area it's completely impractical. I believe in following the AVMA/AAHA standard VERY closely... now I don't do the lepto and bordetella vaccines till my pups are older, but I follow the distemper/parvo guidelines to the tee... My pups are vaccinated at 6 weeks old (the breeders I have gotten my puppies from live in my area and do this) they are then vaccinated again at 9 weeks, 12 weeks and 15 weeks. This is considered a "complete" set of vaccines- and at this point, if the dog was to get parvo, the vaccine manufacturer would cover the treatment- ONLY if the vaccine is given in a veterinarians office. I also, working at a vet office, expose my dogs to all sorts of crud. I try to sanitize before coming home, but who knows what I track in the house on the bottom of my shoes.

In my area- I'd rather take the chance of having to back track with an unsocialized dog, than have it pick up parvo. These pups can pick it up in the petstore, at the dog park, on the board walk by the river... You never know about other people. We've had some rescue groups who have had adoption fairs at the petstore or dog park and then had puppies come down with parvo after the fair- I will NEVER take my unvaccinated dog anywhere close to either place.

But like I said- parvo is RAMPID in my area. It's not as bad in some areas. I think the safest would be to have your vet assess your risk factor.

Thank you very much for these responses. They are very helpful. I will definitely start talking to the two vets I have narrowed it down to about their recommendations re: Parvo vaccine schedules and Weims. One vet made a fatal vaccine mistake on a friend's dog so I may be down to one come to think of it. Am I correct to assume 8-12 weeks is pretty limited exposure to other dogs and unknown places??? We have been puppy proofing the yard this weekend in preparation. Thank you all again. We can't wait to get our puppy!