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.
Generally, puppies can go outside to public spaces around 2 weeks after their second puppy vaccinations. At this time, their immune response to the vaccinations kicks in and reduces the changed of them catching a disease they've been vaccinated against.
When can I take my puppy outside? Vets tend to recommend not taking your puppy into public places until about one or two weeks after your puppy has had its second vaccination.
After each round of vaccinations, there is a five to seven day waiting period until they are fully effective. Contrary to the advice of some more traditional vets, puppies can, and should, go out five to seven days after Round 1 of their vaccinations.
Short answer: YES! Some may think once their dog is vaccinated they can't catch Parvo, but the virus has different strains and reinvents itself. So unfortunately, dogs definitely can still catch the parvovirus.
Many vets go a step further and say pets are not fully protected until 10 days after their final vaccine. Our vets say to wait until 10 days after your pet's 2nd series at the very earliest but later is safest.
Parvovirus Vaccine Schedule
Parvo is boostered one year after the last of the puppy series, then every three years after that to protect your adult dogs.
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'.
Puppies are safe to go outside as soon as they are fully vaccinated with the core vaccines. You'll need to wait until they are 12 to 14 weeks old to get all four which include: Canine Parvovirus.
Puppies should not go out into public places until at least 10 days after their final booster, when we can be almost 100% sure that they have immunity to 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.
The standard 'puppy course' of vaccinations involves two vaccines given between 2 and 4 weeks apart. Puppies are usually aged between 6-10 weeks for the first vaccine and 10-12 weeks for the second. Your puppy is then usually fully protected within 1-2 weeks after the second vaccination.
How Long Should I Wait Before Taking My Puppy Outside? Due to potential outdoor biohazards, most vets will advise that pet owners wait until a puppy is at least three months old before taking them outside.
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.
Parvo can live in the ground, the grass, on bushes – pretty much anywhere (although it is not an airborne virus). Disease prevention is always less costly (and risky) than treating a condition your pet has developed.
Most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
When can I walk my puppy after their vaccines? It's always best to speak to your vet and follow their advice, but as a rule of thumb, you'll be able to take your puppy out for a walk 2 weeks after their second jab.
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.
How to socialise a puppy out and about. Once your puppy is vaccinated, you'll usually need to wait two weeks before you can give them full access to the outside world.
“Dogs who have three to five encounters with the vaccine will typically develop the highest amount of antibodies to protect from infection,” Dr. Burch said. And while some fully-vaccinated dogs can still get parvo — remember, this is rare — the vaccine will usually keep your pup completely safe.
If possible, flush the yard with water and allow to dry. Then apply a disinfectant that is effective with organic material, such as AHP or potassium peroxymonosulfate. These can be used with a pesticide sprayer or hose-end sprayer at the proper dilution to saturate the outside area.
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.
Do not let your puppies walk outside as the risk of parvovirus and leptospirosis with unvaccinated puppies is high.
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.
It's not safe to take your puppy outside until they've had their second round of vaccinations. This is because they aren't immune from diseases such as parvovirus, which is a highly contagious condition that can cause lifelong heart problems and even death in young dogs.