It's best to wait 10 to 14 days after your puppy has received their final vaccinations before taking them on outdoor walks and exposing them to environments and other dogs.
The very best person to advise you on when your puppy can go outside is your vet, but generally they'll recommend not taking them into any public spaces until around 2 weeks after their second vaccination.
We recommend that puppies receive a minimum of 3 rounds of vaccines in the first year, and for ultra protection against Parvo, we recommend puppies receive a 4th round of vaccine. Ideally, the first round of vaccine is administered about 6 weeks of age.
We recommend puppies receive 3 vaccinations, the first at 6-8 weeks, then at 12-14 weeks and again at 16-18 weeks. Please be aware that your puppy is not fully protected until all 3 vaccinations have been given within the recommended intervals.
When can I socialise my puppy? With our newest vaccination pups are able to head out and socialise 1 week after their 2nd Puppy Vaccination. For puppies it is a compromise between adequate socialising and preventing them from coming into contact with any of these diseases, particularly parvovirus.
As long as your puppy is 10 weeks old or older at their second vaccination, they will be immune to distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus one week after this vaccination. So, one week after their second vaccination, your puppy can be walked in public areas, and usually attend puppy classes.
After your puppy's second round of vaccinations we advise waiting two weeks until taking your puppy outside so that they are fully protected in public spaces. Once any puppy has had their initial course of injections, they will only need one injection per year afterwards to keep that immunity 'topped up'.
Dog owners should wait to take their puppy for its first walk until they receive their full vaccination series. The first round of vaccinations typically starts at six to eight weeks of age, with the second series following three weeks later.
Puppies that have had at least one vaccination and a kennel cough vaccine, will benefit from attending puppy school. After the second vaccination puppies may walk in areas such as the beach, at low tide, on clean sand and play with other vaccinated dogs.
3rd Puppy Vaccination: 16-18 weeks old
Distemper. Adenovirus (hepatitis) Parainfluenza.
A typical puppy vaccination schedule:
Third vaccination: 12 to 15 weeks – DHP. Fourth vaccination: 16 to 20 weeks – DHP. Booster DHP: 1 year of age or 12 months after the last puppy shot, then as recommended (usually every 1-3 years)
We normally give the second vaccination four weeks later. We advise that your puppy is not allowed out until after the second vaccination. However, you puppy may go out in your own garden for toilet training and can mix with other healthy, fully vaccinated friend's and family's dogs within their own gardens.
One set of vaccines is effective but only for a short time (three to four weeks) because your puppy's immune system is still building. Your dog needs three sets of vaccines three to four weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age in order for him or her to be protected against harmful and sometimes deadly viruses and bacteria.
Until his vaccinations are complete, only take him to areas you can be certain are safe. Avoid places that are used by unknown dogs, and keep him away from stagnant puddles. Don't visit dog parks. If you have your own fenced yard, you're in luck.
It usually requires ten to fourteen days before a reasonable level of protection is established.
You should only take your puppy out for walks once they are fully vaccinated and your vet has given you the go-ahead. Before your dog has had its jabs, you can keep them mentally stimulated in the home by playing games with them, such as tug of war and fetch.
Typically, it's not recommended to take your dog for walks until they are fully vaccinated. Puppy vaccinations help protect your dog against diseases, making them essential when puppies go outside. Pups in particular are vulnerable to serious diseases, such as parvovirus and canine distemper.
So, when can puppies go outside? The short answer is, after their final rounds of vaccines are completed, at about 16 weeks of age or whenever your pup's veterinarian suggests.
Interacting with Other Puppies and Dogs
Similarly, it should be safe for your puppy to meet older dogs of friends and family, provided they're fully vaccinated, haven't been exposed to unvaccinated dogs, and are known to be gentle with puppies.
Vets recommend waiting until 10-14 days after your puppy's last vaccination booster – usually at around 14–16 weeks of age – before introducing them to the wonders of local parks, beaches and walking trails. Don't resist this time in your puppy's life – embrace it!
Even in places that seem safe, viruses like Parvovirus can live in the soil for up to a year and are resistant to weather and temperature fluctuations. It just isn't worth it to take the chance – which is why vets recommend waiting the full week after vaccination before taking your pup out in public.
Once your puppy is fully vaccinated, the general rule of thumb, is to exercise them for five minutes per month old – so if your fluffy bundle is 12 weeks old they can be walked for 15 minutes a day.
Potty Breaks for Young Puppies
When you bring an eight-week-old dog home, you can start puppy house training by taking him out to go to the bathroom on a regular basis. Since young puppies have tiny bladders, you'll have to take them out for potty breaks often.
The good news is that socialisation can begin even before your pup has been vaccinated, you just need to be safe and sensible about it. Puppies usually go to new homes at the minimum age of eight weeks old when they're not fully vaccinated, so can't get fully out and about just yet.
Taking your puppy for their first walk is a huge milestone, but you'll need to wait until they are fully covered by their vaccinations to be safe. This is usually a week or so after their second jab in their primary vaccination course, but this does vary depending on which vaccine your puppy has had.