jadesamara

Did you say GSPs??? I LOVE GSPs. I grew up with a gorgeous girl, and I haven't patted one in about 25 years. I'll be the crazy woman gushing over your GSPs, so please excuse me

Yay for Tyson - he's my idol! And he's cuter than most Hollywood actors, hands down

Yes, we'd love to come! I will PM you. Thanks...Benson is very sociable

It has made the papers today in Queensland. The Queensland Times has a story - I will give you a summary for those who are interested..."MORE DOGS HIT BY DEADLY PARVO BUG". "Greencross Moreton Redbank Plains-based clinic had this month already seen 15 dogs diagnosed with the deadly virus...Dr Kennedy's (Greencross Director) warnings comes just two months after Dr Campbell from Booval Vet Hosp told the QT that incidents of the virus were on the rise...In 1 case this month, 7 pups from 1 litter were affected, and 2 required hosp treatment...The amount of parvo cases we see fluctuates over time but at the moment we are seeing lots of cases coming in...Most cases requiring hospitalisation where dogs are not previous immunised, cost between $500 & $1000, He estimated vacc costs were between $70 & $100...We as vets and dver nurses hate seeing dogs coming in with parvo & it breaks our heart to see ppl realise they can't afford to pay for treatment and they have to go with euthanasia because of that...It can spread via dog-to-dog contact, or via contaminated soil and grass, where it can survive and infect dogs for up to 5 years...Puppies can take 3 vacc from 6-8wks, 10-12wks and 14-16wks, with booster shots for each following year." Decent sized article, including photo of vet and dog. I left a lot out of the summary, but above summarises it pretty well.

Thanks Nicola & GoldenGirl. I'll talk to my vet tomorrow too, at Benson's 2nd booster. I really appreciate all the advice that has been given. What a great, friendly site!

Sandra, that is an excellent idea. I have an Obedience Club about 6mins drive away, so I will start with socialising once he's had all his shots, and then start lessons when he's old enough. Poodlefan, Benson is due for his second shot in two days. The vet said he should have total of 3. However, I have read in numerous books that you should weigh up between keeping pups isolated until all 3 vaccinations have been given (and thus risk having an antisocial dog) OR let them mix with other dogs for the socialisation (and risk them catching a potentially fatal disease). The books tend to lean towards letting them mix early as anti-social dogs are very hard to "fix". I got talking to the Ridgeback's mum today at school, and we've decided to have "playdates" with our dogs. It turns out her pup is 13wks, not 11wks like I thought, but as he's still not fully vaccinated she is in the same boat as me re socialising. I'm really trying to do the right thing by him while he's young, as we have children now and I want a confident, non-aggressive, well adjusted family member. Remember, it's been 14 years since we've last had pups, so I am a bit rusty

That's true. The dogs should all be on leads, so it shouldn't be too traumatic for him. I read on the other forum pages about a Parvo outbreak in Brissie, so I will monitor that situation before I decide for sure. Thanks Poodlefan.

No, I am going to give it a miss. It's 2km. Probably too far for both of us! I'll just enjoy the puppy stage...I'm sure he'll grow up too quickly anyway.

Thank you Sandra and Poodlefan. I am not a great fan of off-leash parks (I took my Dobe pup to Kroll at Redcliffe about 13 years ago, and she was fear-aggressive as an adult). I don't blame the park, of course, but she did not like the packs confronting her like that, and I was not comfortable either. BUT, I thought that was the "done thing". I thought they had to be "taught" by other dogs - learn how to act like a dog, and behave correctly etc. I think I will enrol him in preschool. We live on acreage, so don't have any dogs really that close. I have introduced him to our neighbour's dog Molly, and they loved each other. While waiting at school a few days ago, we ran into a lady I know. Neither of us knew the other had a new pup - she has an 11wk old Ridgeback. It was wonderful watching Benson (my Staffy) and her Ridgeback interact and "play", (except Benson and I both cringed every time the Ridgeback's huge paw donged him on the noggin ) At his 12wk needles on Friday I will check out the Preschool schedule. I do keep his walks to every other day, and we don't go far - it's mainly for leash practice and to get him used to traffic passing by. Thanks again for your advice, Sandra and Poodlefan. Do you think I should give the Million Paws Walk a miss? It's May 16, so he'll be just over 15wks old.

I too am the proud owner of a new Staffy pup. He is 12wks on Friday. I am tossing up whether to send him to puppy preschool (vet clinic is only option...sorry alpha bet), or wait for enrolment age in proper obedience school close by. As for the socialising factor, I was thinking about heading to a smallish dog park with him, if I don't go with the preschool option. We go for little walks to pick up kids from school, so he is getting used to traffic, kids, people, leash etc. Any suggestions most welcome.

I haven't posted before, but what better time than now...I am in Karana Downs. Practically next door to Karalee. I found this subject of interest as I can't decide where to go for Puppy Preschool. We recently lost our Dobermann aged 14 + 1 week, and now have a new pup.