Can Puppies Be Socialized Before Vaccinations Are Done?

Vaccinations keep dangerous and often fatal diseases at bay by strengthening a puppy's immune system against them. A full series of vaccinations takes several weeks. Socializing your pup, meanwhile, is vital training that teaches a dog to coexist with and enjoy the world around him, rather than live in fear of creatures and things. Socialization must begin early, too, but many types of socialization are off-limits until your puppy receives all his vaccinations. Still, you can begin his socialization before his shots are all done.

  1. Explanation of Vaccinations

    • A vaccination doesn't give immunity to diseases itself -- the response of your puppy's immune system does. Vaccinations contain either live-modified viruses or dead viruses, neither of which can harm Rex. When the vaccine is injected, your puppy's body forms a response and takes up arms against it. The antibodies his immune system pumps out keep him safe from live viruses he'll encounter. The antibodies' work takes time; immunity is typically built up over two or three doses of a vaccine, which is partially why Rex is at risk of contracting certain diseases prior to receiving all his vaccinations. The other reason stems from antibodies passed down from his mother. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that these antibodies can interfere with immunity -- by fighting off the virus before Rex's body has a chance to make its own antibodies -- so extra vaccination doses are given.

    Car Rides

    • Your puppy might see your vehicle as a big hunk of metal that sounds noisy, but your car gives him an excellent opportunity to experience the many sights and sounds the world has to offer. He gets to look out the window and see people walking, buses honking their horns, big trucks cruising past -- things that might scare him if he didn't experience them at a young age. Plus, unless you had an unvaccinated dog recently sitting in your backseat, Rex is safe from fatal viruses he's not yet protected from.

    Play Dates and Classes

    • If your friends or family members have vaccinated, healthy and nonaggressive dogs, invite them over for a canine party. Interaction with other dogs is a vital part of Rex's socialization, and a play date with healthy and vaccinated canines is a risk-free way of providing him with that interaction. In lieu of or in addition to play dates, consider puppy socialization classes. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals notes that such classes are a safe and smart way to socialize a puppy, as long as the classes mandate all puppies have received their first vaccinations and continue to receive them throughout the duration of the classes.

    Low-Risk Areas

    • Technically, every public place puts Rex at some type of risk of contracting a virus prior to receiving all his vaccinations. But there's a clear difference between high-risk areas such as dog parks and low-risk areas such as the walking path of a strip mall. The risk of your puppy not being socialized and then experiencing behavior problems outweighs the tiny risk of catching something nasty in low-risk areas. Veterinarian Marty Becker of the VetStreet website commends frequently taking your puppy to places that don't see a lot of canine traffic, pointing out that an outdoor patio at a coffeehouse and the waiting area of a car wash are prime examples. He suggests taking treats with you, so strangers can feed Rex, and he can associate people with positive experiences.

    High-Risk Areas

    • Any public place that has the high potential for unvaccinated dogs to wander around is not safe for Rex to walk about. That includes parks, your neighborhood, pet stores and wooded trails. Your vet will let you know when your pup is completely vaccinated and when it's safe to go for walks and introduce him to other fun activities. If you must take him to a high-risk area, such as the vet's office, try to keep him off the ground by carrying him or seating him on your lap.