Is It Ok?

[desirae025]

My puppy Buddha is a 5 month old American Pitbull who is close to 60 lbs, just recently had his 3rd set of shots. Would it be ok to now take him on walks and to parks? We like to enjoy the outdoors and would love for him to start coming but not sure if he is ready or not. Some vets and people say no and other say yes, so I am in a bind. Can anyone help me?

 

[tigerlily46514]

wow, 5 months old and he hasn't been able to meet people or play with other dogs? Where do you live (country)?
it matters, some dog diseases are not much of a concern in different countries. What does your vet say?

Here is another thread on similar topic, that you might find interesting. You can either reply HERE on this thread,
or join in on THIS thread: http://www.dogtrickacademy.com/members/forums/threads/vaccination.4388/

 

[tigerlily46514]

AND WELCOME!!! Feel free to post some pictures of your dog here so we can see him better!!

 

[Mutt]

First of all, Welcome,
Sorry but you should have gone out with your dog when he was 12 weeks old (or even sooner!)
Socialisation is very important!
And now you are kind of too late (it is much easier when the dog is young).
So I would start this kind of socialisation right away!
I personally wouldn't go back to the vet who said no, he clearly has no clue about dogs...

 

[Keeper]

Oh dear, he really hasn't experienced any form of outside socialization? Poor baby. Get him outside on walks and to parks as soon as possible.
I presume your vet thought either your dog couldn't handle the experience because it was too aggressive, scared, etc or because he/she thought other dogs were...Still doesn't make too much logical sense.
Anyway, if you haven't already, hurry and get outside! Go, go! Scram! Get off this internet device you are on and scram!
Also, what Mutt said: Don't go back to this vet. Socialization is only one thing he doesn't know about...There could be other things that are life threatening and you may not be able to trust him on that which is scary and puts your dog in danger.

 

[tigerlily46514]

The key thing with socialization,
is
that the DOG feels it was a positive experience.

not ALL socialization is properly done.
Throwing your dog in with a bunch of other dogs,
or having dog handled by a bunch of strangers,
may
or
may not
be seen as a POSITIVE experience by the DOG itself.

It's all about whether or not the dog is having a comfortable, happy experience.

 

[southerngirl]

I would defiantly start socialization with Buddha, by five months he should have already been out and about the key time to socialize a dog is in it's first 16weeks. Take it slowly for Buddha don't rush him into meeting people and dogs. He might be scared because he has never been out.

 

[Adrianna & Calvin]

I don't know why your vet couldn't clarify this for you. Yes his last set of shots was when he was 16 wks or older, they should protect him. If he has not had his rabies shot, that is required by law in most places in the US for puppies that are 6 mo and older, so I would get that in the next month or so if he's not had it already. To get rabies, he would need to be in contact with a rabid animal so on-leash outside you'd still be ok.

 

[Mutt]

Desirae,
I hope you understand that my previous post (and the posts of others) aren't meant as an "attack" on you.
We only want to make clear how important it is to socialise your dog.
So I hope to see some post/pics/vids of you/your dog soon here on DTA!

 

[southerngirl]

Desirae please come back. I would love to hear more about your beautiful dog and see pictures of her.