One of the most important things you can do for your new puppy is make sure they have all their vaccinations. This will protect them against diseases, some of which are life-threatening.
It's generally recommended that you wait until your puppy has immunity provided by their second set of vaccinations, before they mix with other dogs or play anywhere where other dogs might have been. What can make this a little more complicated is that it’s also a key period for socialisation. Relax though because we have all the answers from exactly how long after the second set of vaccinations a puppy can go out to how to make sure they’re not missing out on socialisation in the meantime.
When can puppies go outside after vaccinations?
If by ‘outside’ we’re talking about the outside world, it’s generally recommended that your puppy doesn’t do this until they have full protection from their second set of vaccinations. This will typically be two weeks after they’ve had those jabs, but you should always be guided by your vet. Some vets will suggest that the first set of vaccinations offer adequate protection from disease and your puppy will benefit from earlier socialisation.
Let’s back up a little to see what to expect before that. When they’re first born, puppies get antibodies from their mother’s milk which gives them temporary immunity against illness. Vaccinations come into play when this immunity wears off. Typically, a puppy will have their first set of vaccinations at around 6 - 8 weeks of age and then a second set when they’re between 10 - 12 weeks old. As responsible breeders will keep puppies with their mothers until they’re at least eight weeks old, it’s likely your puppy will have had their first set of vaccinations before you bring them home, but it’s important you check this.
As your puppy grows up, they’ll need an annual booster vaccination to keep them safe.
Can I take my puppy out after their first vaccinations?
It’s important your puppy does not spend time in areas with many dogs or spots that are frequently used by dogs for urination, until they have full protection from both their sets of vaccinations. When they have only had their first set of vaccinations, they can still be vulnerable to illness and disease, some of which can be very serious.
Why are vaccinations important for puppies?
Like human babies, puppies aren’t born with fully developed immune systems. This means they can’t fight diseases. If they are nursed, they’ll get temporary antibodies from their mother’s milk but after that they need vaccinations to keep them safe.
These vaccinations (which will require an annual booster throughout your puppy’s life) protect against avoidable health problems such as these:
Obviously, even a fully vaccinated pup will be under the weather from time to time. Canine colds are not uncommon, for example. Vaccination protects against some of the most serious preventable diseases though.
The risks of taking puppies out before vaccinations
So, we’ve established that your new puppy won’t have the full protection they need until their second set of vaccinations have taken effect (about two weeks afterwards but check with your vet).
This means you have to be very careful before this and not allow your puppy to mix with other dogs or play in places other dogs have been (some diseases such as Parvovirus can stay in the soil for up to a year). When you need to take your puppy out, you can always carry them to keep them safe.
If, despite your best efforts, you suspect your dog has contracted severe gastro-enteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea), or any other disease, contact your vet immediately.
Training and socialising puppies before vaccinations
Even though it’s vital you keep your puppy safe until they have full immunity from their vaccinations, you don’t want them to miss out on the socialisation process completely. In fact, from 3 -12 weeks of age puppies are highly receptive to socialisation and this will help them grow up to be happy well-balanced dogs.
The key here is to give your puppy the opportunity to have positive experiences of the sights, sounds and smells that they will encounter in their day-to-day life. Here are a few of things to consider:
Toilet training puppies before they can go out
If you are lucky enough to have your own garden, it’s perfectly safe to take your puppy out there to do their business. If you don’t live somewhere with private outside space, it’s best to rely on puppy pads until your furry friend has full protection from their second set of vaccinations. Don’t miss the advice in Toilet training your puppy.
Exercising your puppy before they can go outside
Puppies are little balls of energy and many of us will find ourselves wondering “when can I walk my puppy after vaccinations” and feeling a bit disappointed when we realise it’s not until two weeks after the second set. The good news is though, in the meantime, there’s lots you can do to keep your puppy busy and active. Play is a great outlet for their energy and we’ve got lots of ideas of games to play with puppy.
Socialising puppies before they can go out
Socialising your puppy is important and will help them grow up into a happy, well-adjusted dog. Before they have immunity from their vaccinations, it’s best to limit contact with other dogs.However, remember that the whole world is new to your pup and there are lots of things you can introduce them to without any risk. The sound of the washing machine hitting the spin cycle to name but one!
Carry your puppy
While it’s not safe for a puppy to walk down a busy high street, you can carry them while you walk down it and they’ll still have the chance to get used to the sights, sounds and smells.
Once your puppy is ready to go out into the big wide world, you’ll want to train them to come back on command.
