Why You Should Not Take Your New Dog or Puppy to the Pet Store

Wait a month to take your new dog or puppy to the pet store.  For real.

Getting a new dog or puppy is exciting.  But be safe!  Make sure your dog is vaccinated and acclimated to you before taking him or her to the pet store.

You just adopted your new dog or puppy and are so excited to shop for your cute little fuzzball.  You can't wait to take him or her to the pet store and buy a new collar and leash, some toys and treats - and show him off to the world!  Temper your excitement and wait a month.  For real.  Here's why:

A Pet Store is Stressful for Your Dog or Puppy

Your new dog is already undergoing a lot of stress transitioning from wherever they were housed (shelter or foster home) to their new life with you.  They do not know you that well and putting them immediately in a stressful situation is unnecessary and can lead to them freaking out, trying to run away, vomiting or getting diarrhea from stress.  

While a pet shop is not stressful to us, it is the total opposite for a puppy or dog.  It is full of new smells, new sights and other animals that are unfamiliar to him or her.  This is a lot to take in at the best of times for a dog.  Which is why you should wait a month to visit your local pet store - this will give your dog or puppy time to bond to you and get settled into your life together.  

Exposure to other Dogs in a Pet Store Can Infect Your Dog or Puppy with a Dangerous and Possibly Life Threatening Illness

Another important consideration is the immune system of your dog or puppy.  When you adopt a new dog or puppy, they typically have just been given their vaccinations.  Most rescues vaccinate dogs or puppies within just a few days of you picking them up.  Since it takes at least 2 weeks for a vaccine to work (i.e., for your pet to develop antibodies so they can fight off the illness), exposure to other dogs in a pet store can mean that you dog or puppy can get sick and possibly die.  

I don't want to fear monger, but taking an unvaccinated/recently vaccinated dog or puppy into a place with other dogs or puppies that you do not know, is a huge risk and could lead to sickness and possible death of your new canine buddy.  

At 8 weeks old, this puppy is much to young to be at the pet store or around other dogs.  Make sure to get all 3 parvo vaccines (8, 12 and 16 weeks of age) before exposing your sweet puppy to strange (and possibly unvaccinated) dogs. 

Puppies and Parvo

Puppies in particular are vulnerable to parvo which is a life threatening illness.  If a puppy is infected with parvo, they will likely die or need to be humanely put to sleep due to the ravaging effects of the parvo virus.  Or, if they live, they will be severely paralyzed for the rest of their life.  Parvo is no joke.  Puppies should not be exposed to other dogs until they have received at least the entire parvo vaccination series (that is a total of 3 vaccines).  Your puppy should be at least 16 weeks old and have received his or her third and final parvo vaccine before you go to the pet store (or dog park or any other place that dogs and puppies might be).  The recommended series for parvo vaccines is as follows:

1) First parvovirus vaccine administered between 6-8 weeks of age

2) Second parvovirus vaccine administered between 12-14 weeks of age

3) Third and final parvovirus vaccine administered between 16-18 weeks of age

Core Vaccines

It is important that you dog be given all of their core vaccines AND that at least two weeks go by after they are administered before you expose them to other dogs OR to places where other dogs go (i.e., pet stores, dog parks, etc.) .  Make sure that your new dog or puppy receives vaccinations for: 

- Parvo

- Bordatella (some people think this is optional but if you dog or puppy will be around other dogs outside of your home - including at the pet store, it is essential)

- Distemper

- DHPP (which includes the Infectious Hepatitis vaccine)

- Rabies (once they are old enough, usually 6 months is the minimum age)

When You Finally Do Go to the Pet Store with Your Bonded and Vaccinated Dog or Puppy

Make sure that the experience from start to finish is positive and short.  Make sure that they are secured in the car in a crate, with a seat belt or held by a passenger.  Talk to them in a calm voice while you drive.  Make sure their leash is on them in the car so when you arrive you are ready to go.  

When you arrive at the store, give them a chance to smell their surroundings, but do not let them pee on anything you don't want them peeing on for the rest of their life!  Most pet stores have a patch of grass or mulch outside the store - it is a good idea for you to take them their to sniff and pee before you go in the store.

When you are in the store, watch them closely.  Make sure you are vigilant around other dogs and new people. Little kids especially should be watched because they may try to grab your dog or puppy's face.  Remember: your dog or puppy is high stress right now because this is all new for them.  Also, make sure they don't pee on aisles in the store - male dogs LOVE to do this, so watch them closely and say "No" if they try.  If they try to pee inside, take them outside to the mulch/grass and encourage them to pee there.  Then go back inside with them.  

Make sure your shopping trip is short.  Just pick up a toy or a treat or two and then head out.  The more positive experiences that you dog has in the car and in the store, the more relaxed and well behaved they will be on future trips.

And remember: spay and neuter your pets!