We advise that your puppy is not allowed out until after the second vaccination. However, you puppy may go out in your own garden for toilet training and can mix with other healthy, fully vaccinated friend's and family's dogs within their own gardens.
Your puppy can always be susceptible to parvovirus, even after vaccination, however vaccination greatly reduces the risk of this disease. At Vetwest, we recommend that puppies receive their first vaccinations between 6 to 8 weeks.
Typically, it's not recommended to take your dog for walks until they are fully vaccinated. The second set is usually administered around 2-4 weeks after the first, when your pup is around 11-12 weeks old.
Since those first vaccinations in the series and the deworming dose would ideally be administered by your veterinarian, and since that initial veterinary visit typically happens at around 8 weeks of age, then most puppies should be able to start organized puppy socialization classes at around 9 weeks of age.
On the first night, and for about three weeks, have the puppy sleep in a dog crate next to the bed. Line the base with blankets so that it is cosy and drape another blanket over the top to help it feel more secure. Give the puppy the stuffed toy that has its littermates' scent on it to snuggle up to.
Vaccinations help protect your dog against diseases, making them essential when puppies go outside. Pups in particular are vulnerable to serious diseases, such as parvovirus and canine distemper. Puppy vaccinations start from around 8 weeks old and they will need two sets of injections before they are fully protected.
Vaccinations for puppies
Your puppy can start their vaccinations from around 8-weeks-old and will need a second set of injections, usually 2-4 weeks after their first set. For some high-risk puppies, a third injection may also be recommended by your vet.Vaccination protocols will vary so specific advice should be sought from your own vet, but most vets would advise waiting 1 or 2 weeks after the second vaccination before walking your puppy out in public or socialising with animals that may not be vaccinated.
We normally give the second vaccination four weeks later. We advise that your puppy is not allowed out until after the second vaccination. However, you puppy may go out in your own garden for toilet training and can mix with other healthy, fully vaccinated friend's and family's dogs within their own gardens.
Your puppy is still not fully protected until their second set of inoculations so you should keep them away from areas where other animals are likely to be, such as parks and woodland. After the second inoculation stage, you should be able to take your dog out more often and further afield.
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.
In most animals, disease protection does not begin until five days after vaccination. Full protection from a vaccine usually takes up to fourteen days. In some instances, two or more vaccinations several weeks apart must be given to achieve protection.
Your puppy's first vaccination will normally be at about eight weeks of age, with a second dose at 10-12 weeks. Your puppy won't have full protection until two weeks after the second vaccination takes effect. After that, annual booster vaccinations are needed to maintain your dog's immunity.
If you accidentally miss a scheduled three week vaccine booster, you should go to your veterinarian's office as soon as you can to get back on schedule. There are core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are those that every puppy should receive.
Your puppy can always be susceptible to parvovirus, even after vaccination, however vaccination greatly reduces the risk of this disease. Puppies then need another vaccination at 10 weeks old.
While it isn't recommended to take your puppy out for walks in a public area before they have been vaccinated, you can carry him or her on trips out to your local area, introducing them to the outside world without risking their health.
Here are 11 things you can do:
- Invite friends to your home.
- Take your pup to a friend's house.
- Introduce your pup to healthy, vaccinated, and puppy friendly dogs.
- Be sure your pup meets your cat and other animals that he will need to be comfortable around too.
- Take your pup on a walk in a stroller, wagon, or sling.
Avoid places where your puppy or unvaccinated dog could be exposed to parvovirus from unvaccinated dogs. Dog parks, pet stores, play groups, and other public areas should be avoided until your dog or puppy is fully vaccinated.
Puppy sleep training happens little by little. When it comes to your puppy's bedtime, for the first week or so, it's preferable that they sleep in your bedroom with you. This way, he or she has your reassuring presence nearby, and there are sounds and smells that they will be familiar with.
Take your pup on a walk in a stroller, wagon, or sling. Just don't allow him to walk place that there might be other animal's urine or feces. Take a large blanket and an exercise pen to the park. Let your pup watch the world go by on the safety of the blanket.
2. Limit your puppy or unvaccinated dog's exposure to other dogs. Wait until your dog has had his first two vaccinations, unless you are sure the other dogs are fully vaccinated.
We advise that your puppy is not allowed out until after the second vaccination. However, you puppy may go out in your own garden for toilet training and can mix with other healthy, fully vaccinated friend's and family's dogs within their own gardens. This can be given to puppies from six weeks of age.
A puppy's meal schedule must include three measured meals a day, preferably at the same time every day. The best time for your puppy's first meal is around 7 a.m., noontime for lunch, and 5 p.m. for dinner.
Puppy exercising
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. 15 minutes (up to twice a day) when three months old, 20 minutes when four months old etc. Once they are fully grown, they can go out for much longer.A simple way to help your dog learn to walk without pulling on the leash is to stop moving forward when he pulls and to reward him with treats when he walks by your side. If your dog is not very interested in food treats, then you can a tug a toy or toss a ball for him in place of feeding a treat.
Plan his day so that active time is followed by quiet time for sleep. He'll most likely be ready for a nap after playtime or a walk. Your puppy may nap every hour or so, sleeping from 30 minutes to as long as two hours.
Give them a command to enter, such as "kennel." Encourage them by pointing to the inside of the crate with a treat in your hand. After your dog enters the crate, praise them, give them the treat, and close the door. Sit quietly near the crate for five to ten minutes, and then go into another room for a few minutes.
Most adult dogs should participate in some form of physical activity for at least 30 minutes and up to two hours every day. Your puppy's genetics will determine when it's time to move her up to adult dog exercise.
Too much puppy exercise can result in exhaustion and joint damage, especially in larger breeds. Exercise needs vary among breeds, but all dogs should have at least one to two walks per day. Puppies should increase exercise by 5 minutes per month of age up to twice a day.
Take your puppy outside for a bathroom break every one to two hours during the day. A general rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold it for as many hours as she is months old, plus one–for a three-month-old pup, that's four hours.
