Basic puppy shots

Question
Hello, I recently rescued an 8 week old staffordshire bull terrier mix puppy. I got him from a foster shelter and they claimied they gave him his first set of shots but he was given the shots by them and did not see a vet. I question if he even got his first set or not so I am earing on the safe side and saying he did not get his first set. I got him his first set for sure from a vet on 11/11/08. He got the DHPP vaccine. I have not gotten him his bordatella, lepto, nor his rabies (rabies cause he is too young as well as with the lepto). He is not 10 weeks old. I am assuming he has only gotten one set so far. My question is, is it safe to walk him outside on cement and pavement? I am very concerned he might get parvo, lepto, distemper, or kennel cough. I want to be sure to not expose him to anything that might get him sick but I do want to socialize him and get him use to walks. Is it normally safe to walk him outside on pavement or cement and away from any other animals? He is current on heartworm and flea medicine but I want to make sure it would be ok to walk him as long as he does not go in dog parks, near other dogs, or in places dogs frequent. I see people walking puppies all the time but I want to be safe. Any help would be great.

Answer
Walking the puppy is risky, but so important for his socialization, you must do it.  You are right about avoiding strange dogs.  Stick to paved areas where few dog will eliminate.  Don't let him sniff all those interesting poles etc.  I often take young puppies in heavy traffic areas likely to be free of stray dogs.  it is also important to give him a chance to spend time with healthy dogs.

If you are going to have a well socialized dog that you can take fun, public places, it needs extensive socilization before 12 weeks.  Unfortunately, there are risks.  To better understand them, see http://www.avma.org/communications/brochures/canine_parvo/parvo_brochure.asp

I sometimes cringe and have trouble not saying anything when I see people out some places with very young puppies.  They are risking them.