Well it's been a long time since I have had a puppy. 9 years to be exact. I'll be getting my new buddy in a month or so. I have done a ton of searching here on the board and Googling with Leerburg in the name, but couldn't find the answer.

I am planning on vaccinating my pup according to the protocol by Dr. Dodd. The breeder I am getting him from only uses the Parvo and Distemper MLV (not the 5-way). My question is, is it ok to have my pup go with me everywhere for the purpose of socialization?

I wouldn't be taking him to any dog parks (no matter what age) but I wanted to know if places such as the local State Park, shopping center, neighborhood streets (lots of dogs), the office, etc. etc. would be okay to take him to. If I bring him home at 8 weeks, then vaccinate at 9-12 and 16-20, would he be vulnerable between 8 and the +10 or so days after his first round?

Bottom line is: I'd love to have my pup with me in the SUV (and walks around the block) as often as possible, but I would never want to endanger his health by doing so too early for his immune system.

Thanks!

IMO, it's about balancing risks and rewards. Sure, there are risks of taking a puppy out into the world. But for me, the greater "risk" was missing out on those very important early weeks of socializing the puppy.

If you can limit his exposure to places where you know that lots of dogs have peed and pooped (such as a dog park), and keep him away from strays, I think the risk is greatly minimized. Puppies don't need "socializing" that involves interacting with strange dogs anyway.

My puppies went to all the places you are suggesting. I didn't feel that treating them like hothouse flowers was in anybody's best interest.

But I'm not a vet. That's just my experience and opinion.

He's now 10 weeks old. The breeder vaccinated him with the 2-way when he was 8 weeks old. I am planning on following as close to Dr. Dodd's schedule as possible, so I'll be bringing him back for his 2nd 2-way when he is 12-13 weeks old.

I've been bringing him with me every where I go and he's been doing great. I'd never take him to common dog areas anyway, so the only time he's around dogs is at our Schutzhund training classes (we are in the puppy class... just basic engagement stuff) and when I go back to visit the breeder.