Puppy
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In the first few weeks of being a fully-fledged puppy parent, you’re probably itching to show them off to the big wide world. But until your little pup has had all their vaccinations, all the excitement and fun is often restricted to behind closed doors.
That said, working on socialising and desensitisation training with your pup is crucial, especially in those first few weeks. So how can you keep on top of this important training even before vaccinations?
We’re here to show you that there are plenty of ways you can get in that all-important training, whilst keeping your pup safe and happy. Read on to learn about the importance of vaccinations, and how you can continue their development out of the confines of their new home.
If you’re looking to start safely introducing your pup to the world beyond the front door, here are a few great places to start!
Not too far from the confines of the house, but a very easy first step! Letting your pup explore a bit of your garden introduces them to a whole new world of smells, and even noises depending on where you live.
If you suspect old habitants had dogs or your garden has been known to house other critters, you can set up a clean, safe area in the garden using a playpen or blankets.
Continuing with the easiest and safest options, asking people to come to you is a great way to start socialising your unvaccinated pup. It introduces them to new faces in an environment in which they’re learning to call home, creating a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
To further create a positive experience for your pup and help their development, be sure to treat them as their meeting goes on. This way, they’ll be loving life and will hopefully offer the same reaction to anyone else they meet in the future! For the perfect puppy-safe treat, try our Puppy Jerky. Packed with nutrients and tasty ingredients perfect for puppy tummies, our puppy treats are a great size for teeny mouths and make for the best high-reward treat to channel focus.
Take your puppy to the homes of friends or family to socialise them with new faces and children. It’s a brand new environment, that’s safe and controlled.
Before they can go on a proper walk with four paws on the ground, introduce them to their stomping grounds by carrying them around your neighbourhood. Not only does this desensitise them to the sound of traffic and bustling streets, but gets them acquainted with all the sights and smells where they’ll eventually have their daily walk. Don’t forget to provide a constant stream of treats and reassurance while doing this, so their confidence grows and they view the outside world as a great place to be.
Fancy a latte? Take your pup along with you! Sitting down in a dog-friendly cafe is a great way to expose your pup to lots of different sights, smells, people and sometimes dogs (from a distance of course), whilst keeping them close.
Taking your pup to a dog-friendly garden centre is not only a great day out for all the family but also provides another environment for a whole new world of sights and smells, one that is easy to control. From carrying your pup through the garden centre, you can show them the sights and greet all different kinds of people as you go.
Treat your little pup to a new smell paradise by taking them to a pet shop. Not only is it a chance to spoil them, but you’ll be greeted by dog-friendly people and other puppy and dog owners. Since other dogs may be present, be sure to keep your pup securely in your arms.
Everything about your young puppy is still developing, from their body, their brain and their immune system. Vaccinating your pup helps protect them from contracting any nasty diseases. Some of which, as young puppies, they wouldn’t be able to easily fight off.
Vaccinating puppies not only keeps them safe from germs and other nasties but protects other dogs and pets around them from a potential spread. In other words, it makes for happy and healthy pups all round!
Puppies should come home to you having had their first vaccination at 8-9 weeks.
Their second round of vaccines should be at around 10-12 weeks, so their immune systems can be boosted and they can face the big wild world safe and protected.
Remember to wait around 1 week after their second vaccination before taking them out for regular walks on a lead to allow the vaccination to fully settle in.
The vaccinations given to your puppy are commonly protection from the following:
As new puppy parents, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Especially when experts stress the importance of keeping your pup safe before vaccinations, whilst also talking about how crucial socialisation training is.
And they’re right, keeping your puppy safe AND focusing on their developmental training is very important, and it’s very possible to successfully, and safely, do both.
It’s important to focus on socialising your pup from a young age to avoid any unwanted nervousness and anxiety, especially as they encounter more of the world as they grow.
Taking them out as young pups teaches them that things like strangers, loud noises, cars and other dogs, are nothing to be afraid of. Negative experiences or lack of training very early on, however, can have long-lasting effects on their development and behaviour.
When tackling this training before vaccinations, you must prioritise your pup by ensuring both the environment and your approach avoid any opportunity for infection. That said, there are a few things you can consider to make sure you can tick both boxes effectively.
When it comes to facing the outside world and safely approaching your pup’s socialisation and desensitisation training, you need to consider both the environment and the company to ensure you’re extra safe.
When choosing a place to take your unvaccinated pup, consider:
When taking your young pup out (unless in a very safe and well-known environment with no dogs, or where lots of dogs have been), be sure to always keep your pup in your arms.
Carrying your pup allows them to be exposed to the outside world and meet people, and even dogs at a distance, whilst being safe and away from the possibility of infection.
If your pup isn’t your typical small puppy size (we’re looking at you Retrievers, Labradors, Greyhounds and Great Danes), there are lots of products on the market to help you take them out and keep them safe, including puppy carriers.
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