When Can You Take Puppy Out?

[JudyG]

I have an 11 week old puppy, obviously still to be fully vaccinated. A friend said it is ok to take them a walk outside as long as you stick to pavements etc, and avoid any grass areas. I assumed I couldn't put her on the ground anywhere outside my own home. Any advice? I am keen to socialise her etc but don't want her to get sick

[Aidan]

Hi Judy, there is some discussion on the topic here:

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=179746

Personally, I would take the risk from day one. It depends on the prevalence of communicable disease in your area though, and no doubt on whatever immunity pup already has developed.

[Nekhbet]

carry if she's a small/med breed - put her in a bag and take her everywhere you can plus car travel

places where dogs do not really defecate often is perfect, so city/town, markets etc. Go to cafes, weekend markets, fetes, along the streets near shops etc as much as you can in the next 2-3 weeks

[Sarah8]

Hi, Im a vet nurse and did puppy school for a few years, and this is a common question!! unforutnately whenever they are not fully vaccinated there is some degree of risk. I would never take an unvaccinated puppy outside, parvo virus and kennel cough (canine cough) can live in the environment (grass, soil) for a very long time and is easy to catch.

the safest thing is to take your puppy to a puppy school class in a vet clinic (where the floors have been disinfected) so that your puppy can socialise from 8 weeks in a controlled environment. that way she gets to socialise and meet dogs and people without the risk.

if you are going to take your puppy walking outside your garden or to the park, make sure that you don't take her to areas where lots of unvaccinated dogs frequent (dog parks, beaches etc...). it is safer to take her to a friends place if they have dogs who have been vaccinated. if she has had her first vaccination, she should have some protection , but is not completely safe until 7-10 days after her second vaccination. think about puppy school, i'd say its the best option.

[Nekhbet]

the safest thing is to take your puppy to a puppy school class in a vet clinic (where the floors have been disinfected) so that your puppy can socialise from 8 weeks in a controlled environment. that way she gets to socialise and meet dogs and people without the risk.

so to you an hour a week for 4-5 weeks is acceptable socialisation for a pup during its critical period?

Be sensible. Dont take your puppy to dog parks etc or where there is a lot of fecal matter. If it is a parvo season near you then yes dont go out where there is dog poo, dont play with dogs that spend a lot of time around dog clubs, beaches etc. Another reason I advocate taking the pup in a bag or carried about. They do need this exposure to noises, people, etc.

he safest thing is to take your puppy to a puppy school class in a vet clinic (where the floors have been disinfected)

Parvo can be carried in on shoes, clothing as well as on other puppies. The floors have been disinfected maybe but have all the corners, chairs etc. This is something that can drive you mad

I socialised my Malinois on trains, the city, car, parks, people etc from the day I got her at 10 weeks. She's never had a sick day in her life (well there was a house break in but that was another story) but she did need that heavy socialisation at under 14 weeks of age. My rottweiler got parvo at 4 months of age - it was his poor breeding and bad immune system that was the problem not being taken out and about. We have had completely unvaccinated dogs pass through our clinic, picked up at 6 weeks, walk all over the place and not catch it. Not saying the risk isnt there it's just not something to justify locking up the dog for if you're sensible.

[OSoSwift]

I have taken my puppies out since day the first day of getting them home.

They have been carried, taken out for drives and had low risk people pat them.

My Whippet even went to an opening night dogs were invited to at our local arts centre. All the pieces were dog related. She was carried and had a great time, lots of exposure to people and places is the key.

Be as safe as you can, but undersocialisation is one of the biggest cause of behavioural issues in adolecent and young dogs