When Can Puppies Go Outside For Walks
Before you take your puppy for a walk for the first time you must have it de wormed and make sure it has had all required vaccinations.
When can puppies go outside for walks. Once they are fully grown they can go out for much longer. Just like human babies young puppies need a lot of sleep. If you re wondering when can puppies go outside away from home the american veterinary society of animal behavior avsab recommends that pet guardians begin taking puppies on walks and public outings as early as one week after their first round of vaccinations at about seven weeks old. A good rule of thumb is a ratio of five minutes exercise per month of age up to twice a day until the puppy is fully grown i e.
Walking your puppy in areas frequented by other dogs can expose him to some viruses and parasites that are potentially fatal including parvo. 15 minutes up to twice a day when three months old 20 minutes when four months old etc. Vaccinations help protect your dog against diseases making them essential when puppies go outside. On average this will be completed between 12 and 16 weeks of age.
However just because they re ready for a new home doesn t mean they re ready for everything else. Although protocols vary a puppy is usually fully vaccinated against a variety of serious diseases by 20 weeks. Pups in particular are vulnerable to serious diseases such as parvovirus and canine distemper. Puppy vaccinations are repeated every three to four weeks until 16 weeks of age.
How long do i wait before 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. Forcing your 8 week old great danefor a two mile walk every day for.
There have been studies that show potential links between too much exercise and orthopedic disease in large breed dogs. When deciding on the right time to take your puppy outside it is helpful to include some knowledge about how vaccines work in your decision making process. Typically it s not recommended to take your dog for walks until they are fully vaccinated. Puppies typically receive multiple injections with the same type of vaccine starting at age 6 8 weeks.
Standard traditional advice used to be that puppies can go outside in public places when they are fully protected by their immunizations at about 16 weeks old. And it could impact the rest of their lives. The first three months of a puppy s life are the prime time for proper socialization says avsab.