Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
Me and my girlfriend are getting a dog, we never had one before. I have been reading up on it quite a bit and came across the vaccination part. We haven't gotten the puppy yet and the breeders says he is going to vaccinate it for common puppy deceases (he mentions in spanish: parvobirosis, moquillo, coronavirus). I think the worst time to give a dog or human must be when they are puppies/kids. What do you think is best in this condition? Should I tell the breeder not to vaccinate the puppy and instead take it to a holistic vet as soon as I get it?
Thank you.

If the vaccinations are given too early, they are likely to be ineffective. It is best to give the distemper vaccine when the dog is 3 months old, and then the dog will be protected for life. However, most puppies are placed between 6 and 8 weeks of age. This is a good age for placement as they socialize best between 6 and 12 weeks of age. If this is your only dog, keep him away from all other dogs until he is 3 months old, give him one shot then, and wait another 2 weeks before he has contact with other dogs. This means you don't take him out of your house and you don't let other dogs in for that time. If you can't do that, or if the breeder vaccinates him before 6 weeks, give him another shot at 12 weeks.

Thank you for your reply. Is the dog at that much risk for deceases from other dogs? Seems not socializing the dog for three months is a bit drastic. After getting the puppy, don't you recommend us seeing a holistic vet and get the dog alternatives to vaccinations?

Homeopathic nosodes are one option to vaccinations. The risk of disease is related to possible exposures. If you are in an area with lots of dogs, many with poor care, the risk is greater. In any case, since this puppy has to adapt to your family, it is more important for him to be around people than other dogs.