Bit of advice.

OK just been offered a 10 week old puppy that hasn't had any jabs at all, and I wouldn't be able to save the poor little fella for another 10 days as we are going on holiday on Sunday taking the kids and our current staffy camping for the first time.

Now I have been passively looking for a playmate for our girl, she just loves playing with other dogs and would love to have a friend I'm sure.

My worry is at this age without any jabs the dog isn't going to have been socialized as much as I would like, then by the time I get the jabs done which I would do immediately the dogs going to be maybe 12/13 weeks old which some sources state as being too late to socialize and can cause problems in later life.

This does concern me a bit, but at the same time find it difficult to grasp how after 12 weeks its all over and chance has been lost.

Any and all advice much welcome.

I wouldn't say it is too late to socialise the dog at 12 weeks old. Seem a bit young to give up on him completely.

I'm sure with the correct training and meeting of other dogs of all ages and sizes he will get on just fine with your current dog. Would you be taking him to any training classes as he would get to meet other dogs there within a controlled environment there ?

Rocky was about 9 months old when we got him from a rescue centre and he hadn't had an socialisation either so we (my hubby and I) knew it was going to take maybe a couple of years to get to where we are now, after 18 months.

If you are prepared to put in the time and effort and the training he will need, I'm sure it will be worth it. Have a little more faith in yourself. You will get there.

It's never too old to start socialisation. My concern would be what you would do with the pup while you're on hols?

We won't be picking the pup up until we come back from holiday, don't worry

Though if it had, had its jabs already he would of been coming, perfect time to socialize.

Yeah we rescued our dog at 6 months old, and she has been fine, it was just I rang the vets to check on prices for first jabs etc and she kinda put the fear of god in to me about the "magic window" of socialization between 3 and 12 weeks, and if you dont socialize them well in that time they become problem dogs later and all this kind of stuff.

As for training i may do yeah, I did take our girl for a couple of months, but she kind of knew everything already as i did a lot of training with her, and where we take her for walks she is always with other dogs, we have 4 neighbours who we are really friendly with that all have dogs who we let play outside in our courtyard together, so its not like I cant provide plenty of socialization once we get him, it was just the age thing and this "magic window" the woman at the vets kept going on about.

The links below may also be of use for socialisation:

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/socializingyourstaffords.html

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/socialisation.html

They do learn alot of socialization and bite inhibition in that stage of life. Those facts are usually connected with advising not to get a pup at younger than 8 weeks of age. Suki is an AmStaff that we got at 16-18 weeks of age and is very well socialized and we've never had an issue with her. We do make a point of making sure she is socialized at least an hour every day.

The first 12-16 weeks is an important time and if the pup misses out during that time, you will be playing catch up and will have to work extra hard to make up for it but by no means is it a lost cause.

Is this pup coming from a breeder? Will you have to pay for him? My only concern is that if you're paying for him from an irresponsible breeder then you're supporting them and increasing the likelihood of them doing it again.

Could who ever has the pup not take him for his (first and second if time allows) jabs before you get him?

You can also take a pup out with you before he's been vaccinated, just don't put him down on the floor or allow close contact with other dogs you don't know the health status of. This is actually recommended anyway.

Its from a family who bought him "on a whim" and have now two weeks later decided its too much work basically, and were going to take him to the local dog shelter, at 10 weeks old!

Kind of a similar story to our current girl, she was chained to a post for 6 months and was off to the pound but we got there first luckily.

Not sure if I could get the jabs done while we are away, might be an idea though, but think they havn't been done until now due to them having no money.

Yes, I take it the present owner won't get the vaccinations done for you, with you paying of course? (you could pay the vet direct to make sure they don't pocket the money!).

I accept that the best time to start socialisation is before 12 weeks, but that doesn't mean that you can't socialise after 12 weeks, especially as there will be a dog already in the home and the pup will be able to play with your neighbours' friendly dogs!!

Think the jabs will have to wait to be honest, I'm not sure I could trust them fully to get them done, plus they are maybe 30miles away so would be a pain to take him for second jab.

Would he be OK playing with dogs I know for sure are fully vaccinated etc? after his first jab?

I know I might be missing the point here... but.... Our vet won't give the first jabs till at least 8 - 10 weeks and then the 2nd at 10 - 12 weeks and then they advise not to take them out for a further 2 weeks making them 12 - 14 weeks before they go out anyway.

Also if you get a new puppy surely taking the poor thing away camping before it has had time to get used to you and settle in with you for a while would be very cruel to it???

As you already have a dog the puppy will start to learn some basic socialisation skills from playing and interacting with her.

I think the way you treat any puppy is a lot more important than some of the "Timetables" you might read about

Polly Pocket wrote:Also if you get a new puppy surely taking the poor thing away camping before it has had time to get used to you and settle in with you for a while would be very cruel to it???

I take it you didn't read the following...

Diwrnach wrote:We won't be picking the pup up until we come back from holiday, don't worry

I really wouldn't worry about the socialisation/deadlines. Even an adult dog can be socialised as long as you're prepared to put in the effort!

I got Buster at almost 6 months old. He had no jabs and no socialisation, he was pretty much just left in the back garden. We have had to teach him alot of manners and he has been harder work than a tiny pup would've been but he has never shown any aggression towards anyone or anything - not even when other dogs have growled and snapped at him. He seems to be too friendly and not know when to back off but we are working on that. I take him to training classes and he loves it there and all the people love him. So I don't think getting a 12 week old pup will be too much of a problem

Thanks a lot guys, you have put my mind at rest, I was fine until I rang the vets and they put the fear of god in to me lol.

Will post pics when I get him

Not all people get their dogs jabbed at all before taking them out. TBH If the person hasn't got them jabs at that age and ware waiting to rehome it so the new owner can jab it, they probably don't really care about jabs.

Ive always wondered about this socialisation 'window'. With the vaccine recommendation at say 8-10 weeks, then the second lot at 10-12 weeks. Then waiting 1-2 weeks for the all clear to go out... Potentially a puppy could be 11-14+ weeks before they are allowed to socialise.

how are you supposed to socialise a puppy if you haven't got access to a vaccinated playmate before then?

It obviously happens everyday and millions of dogs grow up to be sound family pets. So this 'window' can't really mean that much. My opinion of course.

Just wanted to point out, that I did state in the first post, and later made it clear that the puppy WILL NOT be coming camping with us.

Not sure how clearer I can make it, I was pointing out in the first post that I CANT get the puppy for 10 days BECAUSE we are going camping.

Rachb26 wrote:Ive always wondered about this socialisation 'window'. With the vaccine recommendation at say 8-10 weeks, then the second lot at 10-12 weeks. Then waiting 1-2 weeks for the all clear to go out... Potentially a puppy could be 11-14+ weeks before they are allowed to socialise.

how are you supposed to socialise a puppy if you haven't got access to a vaccinated playmate before then?

It obviously happens everyday and millions of dogs grow up to be sound family pets. So this 'window' can't really mean that much. My opinion of course.

again not everyone jabbs and waits. its surprising how many people don't.

Diwrnach wrote:Just wanted to point out, that I did state in the first post, and later made it clear that the puppy WILL NOT be coming camping with us.

Not sure how clearer I can make it, I was pointing out in the first post that I CANT get the puppy for 10 days BECAUSE we are going camping.

And thats okay noones disputing this

Personally i won't now give the first set of jabs until at least 10 weeks anyway.....

They are never to late to socialise them anyway, so if you feel you want to give pupster a home then go for it

Hayley wrote:

Rachb26 wrote:Ive always wondered about this socialisation 'window'. With the vaccine recommendation at say 8-10 weeks, then the second lot at 10-12 weeks. Then waiting 1-2 weeks for the all clear to go out... Potentially a puppy could be 11-14+ weeks before they are allowed to socialise.

how are you supposed to socialise a puppy if you haven't got access to a vaccinated playmate before then?

It obviously happens everyday and millions of dogs grow up to be sound family pets. So this 'window' can't really mean that much. My opinion of course.

again not everyone jabbs and waits. its surprising how many people don't.

That's very true. I'd be interested to know out of curiosity who waits and who doesn't. Because I know a couple of people, said on here, they wait till 16 weeks (I think) due to the pups natural resistance or vet recommendation. Food for thought!

I'm very interested as well, never had a pup before, since I was a kid I have always rescued, so its mostly all new to me.

We let Callie meet friends' vaccinated dogs, and took her to low-risk places (e.g. kids' sports games, their school grounds where not a lot of dogs), at just before 12 weeks. Day care took her at 13 weeks and we started taking her everywhere at 16 weeks.

She met human friends before that, we had friends and neighbors come to pet her and play with her...that's good socialization too

I got Molly at 15 weeks and she was not used to other dogs, she is turning out to be the best dog I have owned and is great with other dogs and people. Its all down to the owner at the end of the day I think. You will be grand!!

Just a quick pic of the little lad with his current owner.

Awwwwwww!

Diwrnach wrote:Just a quick pic of the little lad with his current owner.