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.
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.
When can I start taking my puppy outside? 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!
When can I take my puppy out? You can start taking your dog out after their first set of puppy injections but be careful where you go. Your puppy is still not fully protected until their second set of inoculations so you should keep them away from areas where other animals are likely to be, such as parks and woodland.
Do not let your puppies walk outside as the risk of parvovirus and leptospirosis with unvaccinated puppies is high.
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. Once the vaccine regimen is complete, your puppy should be ready for adventures in the great outdoors and ready to socialize with other dogs safely.
Parvo can be found in almost any environment. It is transmitted when a susceptible dog comes in contact with the virus. This includes contact with the feces of an infected dog, or objects that contain the virus (shoes, clothes, bedding, bowls, grass, carpets, floors, etc).
You can get a sling to carry your pup, or simply hold them in your arms with their favourite blanket. The mental stimulation they'll get from smelling the fresh air, watching cars zoom by, and playing with other dogs is a great way to exercise an unvaccinated puppy.
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.
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.
After your puppy's third round of vaccinations at 16-18 weeks, they are finally ready to go to the park.
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.
Fortunately, there's no need to wait around that long. Even before the first round of injections, your pup can go in your own private garden, as long as you don't have other dogs without vaccinations out there. So, you can get started with toilet training as soon as you bring your new best friend home.
Vaccination protocols will vary so specific advice should be sought from your own vet, but most vets would advise waiting 1-2 weeks after the second vaccination before walking your puppy out in public or socialising with animals that may not be vaccinated.
Unvaccinated puppies can be safely socialized with fully-vaccinated adult dogs in safe environments like your home. Most puppy classes require proof of vaccination before you can enroll your puppy.
Taking your pup outside the home before they've had their vaccinations can put them at risk of picking up a virus. Visit your vets if you've taken out your puppy into the big wide world too soon and they can do a health check.
Six to eight weeks against parvovirus and distemper diseases.
Puppies are vaccinated against parvo at approximately 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age. They are vulnerable to the disease until they have received all three shots in their vaccination series, which means owners need to take extra precaution during this time to prevent their puppies from contracting the virus.
Puppies are at the greatest risk for parvo between the ages of 6 weeks to 6 months. Puppies can receive their parvo vaccinations at 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age. They must receive a full series of vaccinations to ensure complete immunity. Puppies require a parvo booster vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age.
Puppies should be at least 10-12 weeks old before they're ready to start socializing and going outside in public places. This allows them time to get all of their vaccinations and build up their immune system so that they're not as susceptible to illness from another animal or person.
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.
When should my puppy be vaccinated? Once your puppy is 6 - 8 weeks old, they can have their first vaccinations – usually called the primary course. This consists of two or three injections, given 2 – 4 weeks apart, based on local risk factors which your vet will discuss with you.
You can start walking your puppy after 1-2 weeks of them being fully vaccinated. This is usually around the 8 week mark. However, make sure you keep a strict eye on them and ask your vet to confirm when they are allowed out on a walk.
Puppies are typically vaccinated at eight and ten weeks (although they can be vaccinated as early as four-six weeks) with the second dose usually being given two to four weeks later. Speak to your vet about the best timings. Your puppy will then require a booster vaccination at 6 or 12 months.