Can someone clear something up for me. When a puppy is under 12 weeks, do you have to carry him everywhere or just where dogs could or have been? I want to show him to my parents but they have a cat, plus my next door neighbour has 7 of them (don't anyone start me on their toilet habits!!). Is it ok for him to walk around these areas? Sorry if this is a silly question :)
Sam

hi sam i'm no expert on this but i think you just need to use your judgement on this one. i heard so many things when we got archie (now 15 weeks) and was petrified of him catching something.

basically what we did was avoid anywhere where they may be unvaccinated dogs i.e. the park, the street - we carried him to these places to get him used to them.

we took him to friends' gardens who had VACCINATED dogs and this was fine.

he was allowed to run around in the communal gardens of our appartment where there are 2 vaccinated dogs and lots of cats (let's face it, where are there NOT cats!) the vet said this was fine - it's the dogs that are main prob.

i would say it is ok - we kept such a close eye on archie when he out and the one and only time he went anywhere near a cat poo he was quickly diverted!

check with your vet, that's the safest thing to do, ours said that the importance of early socialisation far outweighs the small chance of infection.

however, remember i am def not an expert, just telling what happened to me - i'm sure someone more knowledgable will tell you the right thing to do!

have fun with your pup :)

how old is your pup and has he/she had jabs yet. if not then i would suggest carrying but in the garden should be ok as long as next doors cats have all had there jabs, cause we all now what cats are like lol they jump from garden to garden doing there buisness.

I haven't got him yet. I have to wait another 3 weeks :( At that point he will be 8 weeks so no, he hasnt had them yet.
I don't know about next doors cats as we don't get on too well with our neighbour. I thought it was only dog mess that was the reason for carrying them?
Tell me about jumping from garden to garden to do their business. My garden seems to be the public toilet!! I'm getting to the point of giving them back their pressies next door!!! Don't get me wrong, I am a cat/dog any animal person but it takes the biscuit when they all use my garden.

regarding the CAT thing,we have had a lot of trouble with cats they scared all my birds to death,when we brought home zak our mini schnauzer,i didnt expect what happened.we had 1 cat come in the garden,he barked at it and i have never seen another since.
mel :)

Haha, thats what I am hoping for. When my parents in law bring down their lhaso, we don't see the cats for days! Its great :)
Seriously though, Is it ok to put him on the ground where cats have been? Is it specifically dog mess they can't go near? I don't know if the cats have had their jabs but none of them are kittens.

Well my vets have always tolde me not to go where unvaccinated DOGS have been, they have never mentioned cats. Even then they said the risk was small.