I caught the late train this morning, so had no-one to talk to, and no book/paper to read - so I started thinking about the dogs (as one does).

I started to think about Loki's next litter, and how we would raise them, etc etc, and started thinking about early socialisation of the litter.    At the moment, puppies leave mum at about 7-8 weeks, all being well, having had 1st injections, with 2nd injections 3 weeks later - which means that they are 12-14 weeks before you can start "ground" socialisation.    I know we all carry pups around, so that they can become accustomed to the great outdoors, but they are not, at that stage seeing things from their "natural" position.

When I was young and knew no better(and wheels were square :D ) and we had puppies, I remember playing with them from about 4 weeks of age - we (meaning me and all our friends) would dress them up & wheel them out in the dolls prams etc etc etc - we would be nipped by the pups (of course) but Mum dog would warn us when we went too far.    Of course, we grew up, learned better, and started banning the world and her kids from coming in and seeing puppies at such an early age, but those puppies grew up bold and confident.   

What I am leading up to is thinking of ways to socialise puppies at an earlier age, preferably at ground level, and I started wondering about the efficacy of homeopathic nosodes in allowing such socialisation - I know that you can administer these from as early as 4 days, I believe - but has anyone ever used them like this, for such a purpose?    What do you think?    I'd just like some feedback, to see if it has been done or could be done.

Margot

No experience with nosodes - will be interested to read replies - but we decided when we got Obi, an Australian Cattle Dog pup, that the risk of under socialisation far outweighed the risks of waiting for vaccinations to be completed - we started taking him out for very short bursts of ground socialisation from 9 weeks old, varying from our village centre, in our local hardware store to the country park where we walked our other dogs daily.  Obviously I cannot say what he would have been like if we had not done this but he is a super confident little dog (nearly 8 months now), is pretty good at understanding other dogs body language etc etc.  I am so glad we did this, as 6 weeks ago Obi had to have a operation for elbow dysplasia which has meant he has not been able to get out too much, at least with a good early start in socialisation he has breezed through it (though for some reason he is a bit wary of Rough Collies, well, they have a few idiosyncrasies don't they?!)
Hayley

FWIW I never wait to socialise my dogs for their first or second injection.  They go out and about with me from Day 1 as I believe the window of socialisation is so small (16 - 18 weeks) that it is more important than the small risk of them picking up something; obviously I would not put my puppies on the same ground as where millions of unvaccinated dogs have been; never had any problems with any of my dogs picking anything up.

I have started taking Fagan (9 weeks) out and about.  Took him clay pigeon shooting yesterday where he got to see/hear/smell loads of new things we then went onto a festival type thing where he got to walk amongst loads of people and met a few dogs, he was really good and wagged his little tail all day (especially when he had his hog roast ;) ) I wouldnt walk him in the local park where loads of dogs go but I do think it is important for him to see things from his level and not just from his mummys arms :P

Hi L/Mum, I think you should do some research/reading up on h/pathy just to give yourself a better understanding of it. Classical h/pathy decrees the use of nosodes when there is no disease is not right, thay should only be given when needed & not as preventative, the immune system given everything it can to make it work fully. The clinical h/pathy believes they can be given as preventative :) Controversy everywhere :D
Also pups do have maternal immunity up to about 12wks or beyond for parvo, bit less for distemper I think.
Bet your more confused now :D

Christine, Spain.

This is what I thought Christine - just giving nosodes for the sake of giving them is a no-no then!! :D

Margot

Depends on if you read classical or clinical L/Mum :D
But say if you know of particular disease/s in your area or you find out pup/dog has been in contact where disease has emerged then nosodes should be given.

Christine, Spain.

as you know i got 1 puppy,i order the cannine nosode comb 30c tablet from helios homoepath  pharmacy.

which i want to give to the puppy asap so i can get her out and socizalie her,with different nosies and other dogs,i would not do this if there was other puppies in the litter i would wait untill 7 to 8 weeks.when they go to their new home,

the dog vacc procedure is from george mcleods but it didnot state what age you can start the tablets,

would wispa immutated cover the puppy.

what shell i do for the best/