Getting puppy second set of vaccinations tomorrow when can he socialise with other dogs bearing in mind the dogs we want him to socialise with are 3 months overdue boosters but have not been walked during this time.

Our vet's advice was wait one to two weeks after the 2nd vaccination. But personally I'd have thought he'd be fine with the dogs you mention sooner rather than later, as they're unlikely to be harbouring anything? I think you have to weigh up the pros and cons, and it's really important to start the socialisation process as soon as possible.

So long as you have robust pup and no serious outbreaks of disease in your area, I'd be getting him socialising asap.

Avoid really busy areas, but maybe consider well run puppy parties and visiting friends with older dogs. You can always carry him some places.

Just remember socialisation is about POSITIVE experiences, lugging him around all over the place when he's frightened is pointless so make sure he's enjoying what he's doing as everything that happens in this stage of development can stay with them for life.

I've always felt socialising was most important and while not taking too many risks have always taken mine out before the vet advises just to make sure they learn to be friendly and that the world is a happy place. Not too many people can resist a puppy so they get a lot of fuss and cuddles at that age !

Agrees tun the above, new advice by many vets is to socialise after first jab, so now he's had second I'd be getting him out there!

Why haven't the dogs been walked for 3 months?

Puppies are given vaccinations firstly between 6-9 weeks, then a second one between 10-12 weeks, and it is usually 2 weeks after this before you start taking them out and about. The ideal time to start socialisation is between 7-14 weeks, as this is when they are most malleable and responsive to new things, soaking up valuable lessons and information. So the exact time you need to be taking them out, is the exact time they need to be kept in! If their still small enough to hold however, you can get around this.

To get used to other dogs:

Try and arrange to meet up with people who have up to date vaccinated dogs, play dates in yours or their garden work well.

Good places to go to:

Outside school, brilliant as all the kids will want to see it, this is an excellent way to introduce them to kids

Train station, sit and wait for the train to go by, give plenty of praise if the puppy is calm

Park, sit on a bench and watch everything go by, people of all ages, pushchairs, prams, other animals, rivers, ponds, etc

On the edge of a busy road, stand and praise as the traffic passes, great for getting used to the sights and sounds of all sorts of cars and trucks

If you go to all these places daily, holding the puppy right up until two weeks past the second injection, you can cover virtually everything your likely to encounter, and by holding it, you can give plenty of reassurance at the same time. By the time the inoculation period is done, you will have a lot of socialisation covered and the basics for a calm steady dog all ready done, without his paws even touching the ground!

Agreed we took Betty on all Mollie's walks from day one, by the time her feet hit the ground she knew all the dogs that were friendly, all the children at the school, had seen traffic was fine and I took her into work where she met 100 or so people who wanted a cuddle. She loved it !