When Is It Safe To Take My Pup Out And About?

[katevin]

My Boston Terrier pup, Archie, is 14 weeks old and had his 12wk shots 2 weeks ago as of tomorrow.

When is it safe to take him on walks and let him sniff etc? We're taking him for daily 10-15 minute walks at the moment, but we don't really let him stop to sniff and we stick to the footpath or road to avoid the feces of other dogs. When can we stop keeping him on such a tight leash (pardon the pun!)?

We have 2 young daughters and with such nice weather we'd love to be able to take him along with us when we take our girls to the playground or beach etc.

Thanks in advance for your responses :)

Edited December 29, 2012 by katevin

[Pretty Miss Emma]

I took my 2 out pretty early (as in I got them at 8 weeks old and by the age of 9 weeks they were out and about wherever I could take them), there would be some people who wouldn't but I was concerned about making sure they had enough appropriate socialisation. That being said, I was careful about where I took them. I tried to avoid doggy areas when I could. And I carried them some places (and my 2 were probably bigger at that age than yours will be when fully grown!). If you're worried then carry him, I'm assuming he's pretty small. The beach is a place I tended to stay away from until well after they'd had their last vacc (Hamish hasn't actually been at all yet, but that's because of distance and time unfortnately!). But Hamish was way too big to be carried for too long!!

[Mjosa]

Two weekw after the last vaccination, I also do Kennel Cough, that one is done at around 14 weeks.

[kima]

I've heard so many conflicting opinions on this. Our vet told us that after the 2nd vacc we were right to go to the park etc. We did and had no issues.

My advice would be ask your vet/the breeder/forum people their views (which it seems you already have :) ) then do whatever you feel comfortable with cos unfortunately I don't think you'll get a definitive answer.

[freundhund]

Okay, the last information I had and I can't find the link (damn new computer) is that provided you got your puppy from a good breeder with a mother who had up to date vaccinations or good titre levels, that you could take puppy out from weeks of age. However, the article recommended checking with local vet practises to confirm there were no current outbreaks of parvovirus or distemper in your area. (I know someone will a link to this vet article, please post the link if you find it as I am struggling with the new computer.)

As an obedience, dog show person, I personally have my puppy out from 8 weeks of age. As I am breeding my own puppy next I plan to have the puppy I chose out and about locally, ie walks up the street, into the next door neighbours for early socialization with a sibling or 2 for company from about 6 weeks but then I have accommodating neighbours.

[MarieEvans]

From what I've observed, most dogs should be taken out of the house when they have had their 2nd vaccination. Although some owners would take their dogs out even without vaccination, there's just a lot of stuff outside that could predispose your dog to viruses or diseases.

[pickles_chester]

I take Milly to Kirrawee Vet and after speaking with Dr Nicole she had advised us that as long as you know the location well enough and combine that knowledge with picking the puppy up if an adult or another dog comes close then you should be fine however speaking to your vet will be better advice than you will obtain from the forums :)

[Sg1suzi]

I'm up in north qld and we have been advised not to take puppy out till after 3rd vaccination at 16 weeks, plus 10-14 after this so about 18 weeks. To be honest this is killing us, I want to be out and about with him and he wants out too, we have started letting him out in the yard now, supervised, but I'm still worrying as we have had a couple of friends dogs in the yard before ( although fully vaccinated) and we have dogs either side of us, plus it is a new home so no idea who or what has trampled the yard prior to us moving in, but we are having to take that risk for ours and our pups sanity!!!!

We also take him out in the car places and carry him, but he is a bit wriggly now so not so easy

[megan_]

If you wait until after 16 weeks then you'll miss out on his critical socialisation period - and he could land up scared of novel things. Not a risk I'd be willing to take.

[tlc]

All 4 of mine were out and about at 8 weeks, we didn't go to the beach (to many people don't pick up after their dogs and its too risky for parvo etc) till after full vac but everywhere else we went. We did steer clear of heavily populated dog areas and I spoke to my vet about any recent cases of parvo about town and there were none.

You will always get conflicting advice on this subject especially here.

Enjoy your puppy, they don't stay pups for long enough!

[Sg1suzi]

The thing is that Parvovirus is rife here in Townsville I believe

[julesluvscavs]

I haven't got Miah yet, but she will be here soon. Im going wait for 2 weeks after her second vaccinations to play it safe. My Cavs are currently up to date with their vaccinations. I will be taking extra precaution when i take her to the vets to be done too:)

When we went to visit her last her breeder made sure we sprayed our feet/shoes etc with some stuff before touching her puppies.

Edited February 1, 2013 by Jules❤3Cavs

[Lollipup]

I find this article sums it up nicely, from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour. When I get pups I take them out and about as soon as they get home and just be careful of what surfaces they come into contact with. Socialisation is very important to me and there is always a risk of disease even when keeping the dog at home as you can bring home parvo on your shoes.

http://avsabonline.org/uploads/position_statements/puppy_socialization.pdf

[newgoldie]

I'm up in north qld and we have been advised not to take puppy out till after 3rd vaccination at 16 weeks, plus 10-14 after this so about 18 weeks. To be honest this is killing us, I want to be out and about with him and he wants out too, we have started letting him out in the yard now, supervised, but I'm still worrying as we have had a couple of friends dogs in the yard before ( although fully vaccinated) and we have dogs either side of us, plus it is a new home so no idea who or what has trampled the yard prior to us moving in, but we are having to take that risk for ours and our pups sanity!!!!

We also take him out in the car places and carry him, but he is a bit wriggly now so not so easy

We were told exactly the same by our vet although our breeder said we could take our pup out 10 days after the 2nd vacc. The vet has said there has been some parvo in the area so we've gone with the more cautious option.

If you have a new house (as we do too), watch out for debris under the lawn if your pup is a digger. Our goldie has found all sorts of rubble including bits of brick & a rusty nail that was obviously turfed over. We therefore only let him out when we are there watching him like a hawk and are considering ripping up the lawn over the autumn/winter to make sure he's safe out there.

While we're all waiting to take him out, he's been going to puppy pre-school at our local vet - he loves the treats and socialising and we get more hints & tips on training etc.

(I know what your saying about the wriggling - wrangling a 10kg goldie is great exercise!) :D

[Jumabaar]

My puppies are out from 8 weeks of age in a backpack that I wear on my chest- less risk than having them on the ground getting into everything but able to see and hear everything going on in the outside world.

I also use a brand of vaccine that only needs two shots so I can take them out safely from 12weeks of age. I would suggest asking the vet what they recommend for your area and based on what vaccine they use.

[Sparden]

The main concern which has been mentioned is this thread is the Parvo virus when they are between 8 to 12 weeks of age assuming they are vaccinated at 12 weeks.

Parvo is an airborne disease. So yes this means your dog could catch it in your back yard, another animal could introduce it such as a bird or a cat. Carrying your pup to a place you think is safe won't protect it if the virus is there.

The #1 advise would be to speak to your Vet and ask their opinion. Then call all the vet's in your surrounding areas to see when the last outbreak of Parvo was.

There are many different opinions as well.

Puppy Pre schools at Vet's

Pro:- Sanitized area

Con:- Sick animals usually go to Vets

Puppy Pre Schools at Dog Training

Pro:- All dogs are vaccinated, and feces are cleaned

Con:- A lot of dogs in the area who may have stronger immune systems than your pup and could introduce some sickness.

You could go on about beach's, park's, footpath's etc. Although you can see the point everyone has a different opinion.

Just remember its the airborne disease you are worried about.