Before We Discuss When Can You Take a Puppy Outside for Walks
Congratulations on your brand new pet puppy!
All dogs are awesome but let’s be honest; there is something extra-awesome about new puppies.
They are just so cute, loveable, and funny.
We hope your newest family member will bring you lots of love, cuddles, laughter, and happiness.
So, as a new owner, you want to keep them safe but also want to help them have lots of fun.
And you need to know when can puppies go outside and when can they meet and play with other dogs?
Let’s find out…
When Can Your Puppy Go Outside?
NOTE – While the advice in this post is well-researched and accurate, if you are ever in doubt about your puppy’s health, please always consult your veterinarian for the best possible advice.
To answer this question about your young puppy venturing outside, we need to look at two scenarios.
When Can Your Puppy Go Into Your Fenced Yard or Garden?
If your own yard is fenced off and not used by any other dogs (apart from your own dogs if you have more than one), then it is safe for them to go into the yard from the first day you get the puppy home.
Letting them out in this controlled environment (but still part of the outside world) is, in fact, advisable as you can start work on getting them potty trained from the first day they get home.
It’s really helpful if you are away for some hours that a trusted friend or family member keep up with the consistency and can take your puppy out while you are gone.
NOTE – If your yard or garden is visited by wild animals such as coyotes or foxes, you should consult your veterinarian before your unvaccinated puppy is allowed to go outside and into the space.
When Can Puppies Go to Places With Other Dogs?
Your puppy should be safe to go to public spaces, puppy class, dog parks, or out for walks where they start exploring the big wide world two weeks after having their second set of vaccinations.
This is usually around 12 weeks old, depending on what age they were when they had their first jabs.
Obviously, double-check this with the vet when you take your puppy to be vaccinated but as a rough guide, two weeks after their second jabs is right.
Can Puppies Go Out in the Yard or Garden Before Injections?
Yes, it is safe for puppies you be in an enclosed yard before they have had their jabs assuming that no unvaccinated dogs could have been in the area.
One of the main risks to your young dog’s health is an infected dog or infected feces, so you must do your very best to keep the puppy away from these risks until the vaccines safely protect them.
Are Other Dog Owners a Risk to Your Puppy? (Even Without Their Dog)
There is almost no risk of a dog owner passing on a disease to your young puppy, but if you want to be extra safe, ask them to take off their shoes before they enter your home and then wash their hands before meeting the new pup.
Some Advice on Vaccinations
This video has some nice and simple advice on vaccinations for puppy owners.
In case you can’t watch the video right now, it explains some key points such as:
- How puppies get their first immunity from antibodies in their mother’s milk.
- Which diseases are dangerous to a new puppy (such as kennel cough, canine parvovirus, canine distemper, rabies, and infectious hepatitis).
- It also explains standard vaccination schedules (this may vary, so always check with your veterinarian).
- That you need to be aware your dog may experience some side effects from their jabs, this is normal, but if your dog is really sick, please take them back for a checkup.
Some Final Tips for Keeping Your Puppy Safe
The following precautions will help you ensure your puppy is getting safe from harm, risk, and disease:
- The golden rule – If in doubt, consult your vet.
- Make sure your puppy gets fully vaccinated to keep them safe.
- Remember that when they are very young, they are highly vulnerable to disease.
- Puppy training classes will help you keep your dog under control and safe from harm.
- Never let your dog be around un-vaccinated dogs until the pup is safely vaccinated.
- Puppy socialization is essential for rating a well-balanced adult dog.
- If you are not sure of unknown dogs’ vaccination status, take extra precautions to keep the puppy safe.
- While it is true that most dog owners are safe and responsible, some pet owners don’t get all the vaccinations for their pets. If in doubt, always be cautious.
That’s the end of this post looking at when it is safe for you to take your puppy outside.
This period of time will pass, the puppy will have all their vaccinations, and before you know it, you will be taking them to puppy classes, the dog park, and happily chatting with other dog walkers.
NOTE – When you start taking them to classes, this means you get to meet lots more puppies and friendly dogs!
Quick Fun Question: Do baby dogs lose teeth like human kids?
We hope this advice helps you enjoy your time as a puppy parent and helps you to relax, knowing how to keep the young pooch safe during those first few weeks of age.
Thanks for taking the time to visit our dog lovers website. Please feel free to come back and pay us another visit.
The Pupster Passion Team
