I think I'm probably the least protective puppy momma to post on this thread:p;) I think dogs should be allowed outside if they want to go. Walker is a people lover and we go out all the time downtown. German's love their dogs:) so we have plenty of other dogs to sniff around etc. I'm not paranoid (maybe not the right word. I'm not trying to offend you. haha.) about illness since I come from the mindset that if you're going to get sick, you will and as long as you take common sense precautions there is no need to panic.

I love your avatar pic btw. makes me giggle:)

I hope your common sense includes the puppy shots. These shots prevent illnesses that come on rapidly and are deadly. I wasn't even aware of their importance till I started reading the Sick & Injured / Emergencies Talk - YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community forum.

i agree :)

Given his age, I'd definitely make sure he has all his shots and the vet okays him to be taken "out & about". You just need to be careful if there are other dogs/people around that you are not familiar with.

I do feel all dogs, no matter how big or small, should be taken out for exercise and be allowed to run and play in a nice open space, on a daily basis....of course under a cautious eye.

Hi, It's not really paranoid it's over-cautious I suppose and sometimes / MOST TIMES... YES I AM :p but I have reason to be, I have witnessed parvo as said above and it is nothing but PAIN, SUFFERING AND ENDLESS TORTURE ... (my dog lived) but Many Die before their owners even know what has hold of them...

"if you're going to get sick, you will and as long as you take common sense precautions there is no need to panic. "

That may be true with common cold and things like that so I do take your advice in that area as that is the question I was asking :) but with Parvo.. that is not true at all, they get sick from owners letting them out in public with other dogs that they don't think are a threat and in areas they shouldn't be before vaccinations are complete... all it takes is 1 Micro-Scopic Germ to enter their system and the disease starts it's deadly course. I am sure you know this and weren't answering for Parvo but just in case.. I would hate to see your baby get ill :(

Just be careful until he's fully vaccinated. I think he'll be fine as long as he's bundled up in a sweater.

Now that was a great answer!! :D Thank you!! My baby has had 3 shots, his last will be next Monday and he hasn't even touched my tile floor :eek: (even though it's been disinfected 3 million times lol I have other dogs u never know right?) so definately Careful .. maybe even too Careful... but to me it means his life and I will guard it with all my power... I was just worried that he could catch a cold which could lead to pneumonia is all.. But I guess dogs and puppies alike are pretty resiliant in cold weather so Bundled up it is!!!

Yes my common sense includes shots. lol. I just am not a fan of over vaccination either. I'm a nurse and have seen what that can do to humans so I think there is a happy medium which should be found between a shot for ever ill, and no shots at all. It also includes not letting him eat feces of any kind. Not letting him run in the road. Washing my hands after I clean up and "mistakes" You know...the common sense stuff;)

I'm sorry I truly wasn't trying to say you were paranoid, I'm just not. Parvo is its own monster and I didn't think that's what your OP post was about? I took it to mean just letting the dog run around on the leash while you're watching the kids soccer game, or ride along in the car when you go somewhere. You get germs from everything though, and bleaching everything in my home without cause will not make matters better. or prevent my dog from getting ill. I can't protect my dog from the world. All I can do is what I see is best. I think you take fine care of your dog from whats written in your posts and I do the same for mine.:)

and you are correct :D the Original question was about COLD WEATHER and if I should take him out in it IN MY ARMS :p I think a lot of posters just weren't reading my question completely and some were nicely letting me know IN CASE I HAD THOUGHTS OF LETTING HIM RUN FREE, which was nice of them.. But I am already over protective of him so I just wanted to know if COLD WEATHER could cause him to catch pneumonia...

.. I wonder if keeping him secluded could actually weaken his immune system as it's NOT USED to cold weather and such :eek: .. My Yorkie drives me crazy lol... I love him to death but I think worrying about him will be the death of me :rolleyes:

Hmm, I've never had a puppy, but this is what I think. My old dog was adopted when he was 3 and he had aggression issues. I was young and didn't know what to do, and my parents didn't know anything either, so we didn't hire a trainer. This was because he was never socialized as a puppy. Maybe it's just me because of this but if I ever get a puppy it is going out with me everywhere. It was so hard to have a dog that would attack any other dog, person, or cat. Now he doesn't care because he is so old, but it was a nightmare before. He was so weird, give him 30 seconds and he would never ever ever hurt whatever that thing was again. He is sooooo good with my rabbit and when he was little was ok with my mice and hamsters and rats (yes, I was crazy).. but not at first.

Well, of course I loved him anyway, but I wished he would have been socialized. That being said, I would carry him everywhere, and let him socialize with your friends dogs that are up to date on vaccinations in yours or their house. He NEEDS socialization. That doesn't mean you have to take him to the park and let him sniff random poos.. depending on where you live I think it might be ok to take him on walks. My neighborhood is clean with sidewalks and I have never seen a stray dog in my life, so I wouldn't worry about diseases like that. It really depends on your neighborhood.

Anyways, you probably shouldn't listen to me since I haven't had any experience with puppies.. but I have had experience with dogs that weren't socialized and it was hard to have a dog like that. I'm lucky that Max loves everyone and everything (besides my rabbit), and I got an older dog since I was afraid he wouldn't be good with people or dogs like my dog was. Oohhh sun, time for a walk :).

Since you are the OP you know the intent of the question, but your did write.
So I thought it was important to mention shots because lots of people don't know this. You sound like you know much more about it then I do. Since we live in AZ, it's never too cold to take him out, but we have members who take their dogs out in the snow, and the bundled up dogs seem to love it!

:thumbup:

I just got back from my vet. Lady had to have bloodwork done. There was a young girl with a brand new Pappypoo (never heard of that one!) in for her first visit. She let the puppy run around on the floor! :eek:

I am very careful with germs from other dogs. We had to stop at Petsmart and I brought a blanket to line the cart so Lady wouldn't get any germs.

Fresh air, on the other hand, is very good for them. As long as he is a healthy puppy and you put a coat or sweater on him when it's cold, he'll love to be outdoors. Dogs need to sniff the scents and be allowed to act like a dog. I think you'll find he is better behaved and better adjusted with a daily outing.

I think this is what I am leaning towards now, Just bundling him up real good.. In Fact he's on his way to Starbucks with me now!! we are about to leave.. let's see if he likes it... :)

I'm not thinking Starbucks is a good idea because it has food. I just made a thread on where dogs should be allowed but I don't think you should bring him in food places. It's your choice, and really depends on the area!