"Puppy party" at vets?

[Mittens]

Hi

Eddie had his first vaccination last Saturday (at 9 weeks two days), and while my vets does not run "puppy parties" or "playgroups" alternative local vets do - one has suggested taking him to their group next week (which is pre the second vaccination) and another after the second jab (but before the 'two week wait" to go out is up)...... i'm a bit confused with the conflicting advice i'm being given by different vets - does anyone have any advice or experience of this they can share with me? I'd really like to get him socialised as soon as possible, but don't want to risk his health.

Many thanks

[Colin]

I took Misty to puppy parties at the vets before she'd had her second vaccination and she had a whale of a time. Opinion is divided on this subject but my feeling is that the benefits of early socialisation outweight the health risks. I'd check with the vet that the other pups have also had their 1st vaccination though.

[Helen]

I doubt whether any of the puppies 'invited' to the vet's for a puppy party would not have had their first jabs - I say do it    We took Jarv to our vets for a puppy party - it was hilarious and really interesting seeing your puppy interact with other breeds/sizes 

[Clover]

I went with Willow, although, we could only go to one as she was allowed out by the next one. She had a ball, although  there was only her and a jack russell pup    Then we started normal puppy classes, again, she loved them. I would say go for it. You really cannot socialise them too much.

[Joules]

I took Misty to puppy parties at the vets before she'd had her second vaccination and she had a whale of a time. Opinion is divided on this subject but my feeling is that the benefits of early socialisation outweight the health risks. I'd check with the vet that the other pups have also had their 1st vaccination though.

I agree with Colin    Puppy parties are great fun, although Coco did piddle on the floor at hers 

[Colin]

I doubt whether any of the puppies 'invited' to the vet's for a puppy party would not have had their first jabs

There were 2 puppies at Misty's puppy parties that weren't getting vaccinated at all. Misty was probably OK from inherited immunity and her 1st jab but I was a bit annoyed that the vet didn't tell me - I only found out after the second class. To be honest I'd probably have taken her anyway though - as a pup Jimmy went several weeks without any contact with another dog and at his first puppy class he was really timid, hiding under a chair. I think Misty really benefited from the experience and wish I'd done the same with Jimmy.

[Jeanette]

Indie went to 3 puppy parties, all puppies had to have had their 1st vac and were allowed to go 3 x times in total as still went even after she could go out.   

Definitely recommend it, great socialisation with all breeds of dogs.   

I also used to take Indie out in the street everyday for a walk carrying her and getting her used to traffic, noises, people and kids walking by etc before she was allowed to go out properly.

[Mittens]

Thanks everyone - I think I'm going to go as all pups have had first vacs - we need to get out asap! Love him to bits but there is only so many times I can run up and down the garden - and the poor cats really don't understand that they are not actually litter mates!!

[SandraD]

Thanks everyone - I think I'm going to go as all pups have had first vacs - we need to get out asap! Love him to bits but there is only so many times I can run up and down the garden - and the poor cats really don't understand that they are not actually litter mates!!

  our poor kitty Cleo is also somewhat put out by the fact that our 13 week old puppy thinks she is one of his brothers/sister, so I know EXACTLY what you mean!

We took Monty to our vet's puppy party after his first jab but before his second and on the whole it was a great experience - it absolutely exhausted him and he fell asleep half way through the party and slept all the way home and all night!   It's interesting to see how other peoples puppies behave (you get an idea of what you might be in for!) and how yours interacts with them.

We also did the carrying round the streets, which Monty loved, and it gave him a chance to meet people/children at eye level rather than being a tiny scrap at everyones feet.  Hope you and Eddie have a great time.