5 week old american bulldog/lab mix

Question
We brought home a new puppy.  Just a baby.  Only 5 weeks old.  I am worried that she will not learn proper dog behaviours being separated from her mom and her litter.  We would like to visit her with her family before the rest of the pups go to the humane society, but they live 5 hours away with my sister.  Any advice on how we can make sure she acts like a dog and not a human?

Answer
I am glad you appreciate the importance of continuing dog socialization.  This is tough.  Even the best shot programs leave a window where a puppy is vulnerable to parvo and other life threatening diseases.  You need to find other people you can trust to give their dogs good care.  Some older dogs are fine.  We had two 6 year old neutered males visiting over the weekend.  Our 15 week old Xanthe had a great time playing with the one, but the other wanted nothing to do with her.  Of course our 14 year old wants nothing to do with her, another lesson she needs to learn.  It is just a matter of finding the right people and right dogs.

For more on the effectiviness of shots, see  http://www.avma.org/communications/brochures/canine_parvo/parvo_brochure.asp