[BostonRott]

As long as you are in areas that you know rampantly infected dogs aren't running, I see NO reason not to bring the puppy. Once that window closes at 12 weeks, you've lost out..........Socialization done later will not be the same and you've lost a VERY valuable opportunity.

Puppies have their mother's immunity solidly through at least 9 weeks, many feel to as late as 12 weeks. By then, they've probably received one if not two puppy vaccines anyway. Normal public places are generally safe, and no, I would not be carrying a 12 wk puppy around in public.

Then again, I feel that within reason puppies need to be stressed, including immunologically. Visitors are allowed into my house to play with puppies as soon as they're "awake" and interactive around 2.5-3 weeks. No bleach buckets, no changes of clothes/brand new shoes..........just be sure you haven't been to the vet or a dog show that same day. Isolation (be it mental, physical or immunological) rarely does well as a general idea. At times it has it's place, but I rarely practice it with my dogs, and they're all happy, healthy and well adjusted.