When can Maddy go out to play...

[Trace]

... I forgot to ask the vet when she can go to parks - beach etc.

She is 12 weeks, and has had her 2nd lot of shots.

Oh and also - does anyone know if hardwood floor are bad for dogs to play on - mine go at it all the time and slide all over the place....

[Moo]

They can go out after their 12 wk shots. Sometimes people like to wait until 16, but I think that's pointless and not good for the social being of the dog. There's nothing wrong with hard wood floor, per say, but I'll bet they scratch it up.

[Dax]

Moo is absolutely on the money. She's ready to play and interact with other dogs but I would limit to healthy dogs to wrestle/play with. Even dogs that are fully vaccinated can still get Parvo but you need to balance mental health with risks.

[weimlover0816]

We have hardwood floors throughout the house, and yes, they do get scratched with all the playing, but they also can be dangerous, as the doggies tend to slide around on them. I make it a point never to have them on the hardwood (on a rug instead) when they are jumping up to give hugs or when they come from a sit-stay to jump up and catch a ball or another toy. All that springing and they tend to slide sideways. I like to treat it like running on the grass after a rain....

OH, and even now that my dogs are all older (1.5 years, 9 months and 6 months) I always make it a point to be sure the dogs they are playing with are fully vaccinated. Can't be too careful, and any responsible owner will not balk at the question...

[erdog3]

NOoooooooo, you have to WAIT.... 2 weeks after the last shot for full immunity...please wait.
Your baby is at risk, especially parvo.

[Dax]

I had Ariel's second shots done at 10 weeks but even fully vaccinated Parvo is still a danger. It's always a risk but with first and second vaccinations, it's less.

Here's the funniest part of this. I go into Pet stores all the time and there are always new dog owners with puppies some less than 8 weeks old letting every stranger have a pet/cuddle. That has got to be the second worst place and thing to do. The vet's office is number one in my books. The beach or the park is safe compared to that LOL.

Well maybe not down under with all those sharks.

[Moo]

True. My parents brought my dog down to the beach when he was 9 weeks. My eyes were popping out, but it was a no dogs allowed beach and I guess he was protected... Supposedly stayed on blanket/crate, but I don't know. Lots of kids (It was my brother's kindergarten field trip) to meet....

[erdog3]

Yes, it is unfortunate that none of the vaccines are 100% fool proof.
At least if they are vaccinated though it lessens the severity allowing them some immunity to fight it off. A much better chance at survival.
But after all our parvo deaths on here lately, it is not worth the risk to go too public with them at that age.

[BabyElephant]

It depends on the manufacturer of the shots. Some say two weeks after in order to get full immunity, but the shots that I had done for Poppy meant she could go out after a week. If you know the manufacturer, you could try and check out their website.

[SouthPaw]

Tucker has had his 2nd series of shots and also Bordetella which he had to have for his puppy classes starting Tuesday night (cross all fingers/paws that he won't be expelled for bad behavior). All the puppies are required to have their shots.
It's a hard issue. The pups need to be socialized but there is a worry to it. I probably coddled Basil too much over this and a chihuahua (Tucker) needs socialization & training as I don't want a snappy/yappy critter like some of them can be. The trainer advised me to take him everywhere to see people/dogs, cars, etc. which I've held up on.
Trace, do you know anyone with pups she can play with who you know have had their shots? A more controlled exposure?