Dear Critter Corner: We have a new puppy and would love to start training and socializing her right away, but our vet said she can’t go on walks until she’s had a couple more shots. Is there a way to safely expose her to new people and places in the meantime?
There are plenty of ways that you can introduce your new puppy to new places and people without going for regular walks. If she is a small puppy, you can carry her places with you in a sling or a bag. This allows her to take in the new scenery and smells without risking getting sick. If she is interested in people, you can still allow them to pet her without putting her on the ground. If she is not so sure, they can offer her a treat, or you can offer her a treat while the stranger is nearby. This will help her to form a positive association with strangers.
If you have friends with dogs who you know are vaccinated and friendly, or puppies who are close in age to your puppy, you can meet up in your yard or theirs for a safe and controlled playdate. Playdates with known dogs are preferable to dog parks anyway, since dog parks can be a mixed bag of personalities (dogs and people) and you are not guaranteed a good experience. With a friend you trust and a dog that is known to be friendly, your puppy is more likely to have fun socializing, and you and your friend can manage the interaction together as needed. If you don’t have friends with friendly dogs, try reaching out to your community through Nextdoor or Facebook. You may find you have neighbors who are in the same boat as you who want to meet up as well, meaning both you and your pup have the chance and making some new friends.