kate07 | 04-03-2010 06:56 PM | How old is this pup?? One person says 10 weeks another says 8 weeks?? He's had NO vaccinations whatsoever and he's outside? For whatever it's worth I was told by one of the consistently best ranking and largest in the nation vet hospitals here in Boston (were all vets are board certified with at least over 15 years experience and graduates of the top ranking vet hospital in the nation and WORLD only) the following information: You can take your puppy out in YOUR yard, but it's safer for the pup to not take it out to public parks and such (where other dogs run and play) until a week after it's had its second set of shots, but preferably it's 3rd set. The biggest worry about taking your puppy around other dogs or for walks where the puppy can come into contact with other dogs feces is that the puppy will get diseases like Parvo or distemper (which can be and usually is fatal)! If there is parvo on the ground where the puppy is-he/she can get it! It can be fatal...its a virus that can be transmitted through feces, soil, and other outside areas that can be contaminated (as I'm sure many know :)). The 3 set of shots will make it to where the puppy will not contract the virus. As long as you are careful to not have the puppy on surfaces where strange (and possibly infected) dogs have been, your puppy will be safe, BUT DEFINATELY wait until it has had the required and right amount of shots. Waiting until the 3rd set of shots is administered will keep your puppy from getting diseases the other dogs and their feces carry. You can take your puppy outside before that but keep them on a very short leash, keep them away from unfamiliar dogs, or dogs you know have not been vaccinated, and do not let them around feces of other animals (at least until the third shots have been given).
Also, I took my almost 16 week old puppy out today for her longest walk ever (she's only been out really 2 times before) for about 1 hour walk/run/play, but we stopped, rested, walked again, played, had water and I was exhausted and so was my girl! Also to note I've been a professional athlete most of my life (/ran professionally for USA Track and Field )and my fiance is professional hockey player in the NHL and neither one of us can imagine a 8/10 week old puppy running a mile (unless maybe you JOG - fast walk a mile in 20 mins)!! My girl is a nut and fast as lightening and crazy!, but even an hour outside with rest and water tired her out like you wouldn't believe and she's 2lbs 4oz. Also with the little ones gaining only 2 tenths of a pound in 2 weeks is not abnormal - just wanted to point that out. |