Vaccination’s

I’m often asked about my policy on vaccinations, especially for puppies, so here is some information to help you make an informed decision about what’s best for your puppy or dog. Of course you should always discuss how best to protect your dog with your vet too, as I am not a vet and therefore, cannot advise on clinical issues.  

Keeping Your Dog or Puppy Safe from Disease

All dogs and puppies should be protected from the risk of catching diseases and should be treated regularly for both internal and external parasites. I recommend chatting with your vet for advice on the best approach for your dog.

Vaccinations & Puppy Classes

Because early socialisation is so important, I welcome puppies to our classes from 10 weeks of age. By this time, most puppies have had their first set of vaccinations, but they might not yet be fully protected, as the full course often continues beyond this point.

There’s always a bit of a balancing act between protecting your puppy from disease and making sure they get the early social experiences they need. To help guide you, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) has a helpful position statement on this topic, see here.

My puppy classes are held indoors in clean venues that are only used by dogs attending classes. While I do my best to keep everything safe and hygienic, there’s no way to guarantee that any place – or any dog or toy – is completely risk-free.

Your Responsibility

It’s up to each owner or handler to make sure their dog is protected from disease. The Gloucestershire Dog Trainer isn’t responsible for any potential or actual exposure that might happen during classes.

Although it’s uncommon, some puppies may attend without having had all their vaccinations. I don’t check each puppy’s vaccination records, and here’s why:

  • If you and your vet are happy with your puppy’s protection, it doesn’t really matter what the other puppies' vaccination status is — no more than it would if you were taking your puppy to the park.

  • Vets don’t always give the same advice. Some say it’s fine for puppies to attend indoor classes after their first jab, while others recommend waiting until two weeks after the final vaccination.

  • Things can get more complicated if your vet uses a different brand of vaccine than your breeder’s vet, as sometimes that means restarting the process.

  • Some owners prefer alternatives like titre testing or homeopathic nosodes instead of traditional vaccines. As I’m not a vet, I don’t advise on this — it’s completely up to you and your vet to decide what’s best.

Some people bring their puppies to class after just one vaccination; others prefer to wait until their pup is fully vaccinated. If you come before your puppy has had their full course, we suggest carrying them in and out of the venue to help reduce any risk.

Outdoor Classes

Classes that aren’t specifically for puppies may include outdoor time. In those cases, the usual risks that come with being out and about — like at the park — still apply.