Can I take my puppy outside?

[Britster]

I'd stay away from heavily populated dog places, like dog parks, pet stores and the like. Usually puppy classes can begin when the pup has had two of the series of vaccines as long as there isn't anything going around. I'd double check around and make sure there aren't any cases of parvo going around in the area you take your dog. Anything that is in your yard is probably all over your shoes and in your house, anyway. Socialization in such a class would be very structured, only exposing the puppy to puppies and adult dogs that are healthy and temperamentally safe with a young pup. But it's monumentally important to get a new puppy out and about to experience positive exposures to the world he's going to be a part of. You only have until a pup is about 14-16 weeks of age to get him exposed to a vast environment of all kinds of things. And of course, socialization should continue throughout the dog's life. But that early critical period is essential to create a well adjusted dog.

Like I said tho, depends on how prevalent parvo, distemper, etc are in your area. You're never going to be 100% sure one way or the other but each person has to weigh the risks. For many areas, IMO, the risks of not being socialized far outweigh the risks of infectious diseases.

[xoCourtney]

Originally Posted by Britster

I've never ever heard of anyone waiting until 16+ weeks to let their dog outdoors. Do you have your own yard? I know you said there is lots of dogs in your neighborhood, but if you have your own space, you can at least bring pup out there. I cannot even fathom keeping a puppy inside for that long! I've known many many dogs throughout my life and they were always taken outside as soon as they were brought home. I think being cautious is not a bad thing (no dog parks, or pet store floors, etc) but I honestly think they have more of a chance of picking up something going to the vets office than in your own yard. Jax had already experienced snow, rain, mud, grass, by that age, and they are crucial socialization periods.

I agree with this. Before coming here I'd never heard of this. Is there a study that was done showing dogs under 16 weeks getting ill from walking outside?

[Bentleysmom1985]

Well now I am really confused

[xoCourtney]

Originally Posted by Bentleysmom1985

Well now I am really confused

I've taken Miley out in front of my yard and drive way. I feel that she would be okay on a walk around the neighborhood though. Like Brister said, whatever is outside is probably on our shoes and in the house anyway. But I've never heard if leaving a puppy on the house until 18 weeks of age...

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Bentleysmom1985

Well now I am really confused

Do what you feel comfortable with.

[SarahK]

Oh I agree with taking your puppy out in your yard--I just wouldn't take him out in the street or on walks in town or through your neighborhood. Definitely get him out of the living room though! I took Toby out in the yard and he loved it! He also went on car rides and things like that.

[LilAnnCamp]

Crimson was so tiny that I waited until a month after her last vaccines.

[Yorkieaddict22]

Wait did this with mine and got parvo! Trust me done want the risk, better safe than sorry!!! It's parvo season!

[Lovetodream88]

With yorkie puppies being so small they have a much higher risk of dying from Parvo and its just not worth in it my opinion. Go to the search thing and type in Parvo we have had many puppies here get it a lot get extremely sick some make it but some do not. Why risk it? Your pup might not get anything but they might.

[bettes mummy]

What an adorable little boy. I would definitely wait until 2 weeks after his final shot. I take my little one into the back yard to have a little run and to teach her to go toilet, just have to keep an eye on her as she loves to explore

[chachi]

I took mine out in my yard only untill they were done with their shots this was the advice from my vet