When can puppies go out?

Socialization is when your puppy learns to interact with other creatures in the environment and determine if the world is safe and happy.

To avoid behavior problems, puppies need lots of positive interactions with dogs and people during the critical socialization period, around 9-14 weeks.

However, savvy dog ​​parents know that puppies are not fully vaccinated and that their puppy's vaccines will not be considered complete protection until the puppy series is completed (usually around 16 weeks). ).

So your dog needs to be out with other dogs, but it's not safe to do so because your puppy is not properly vaccinated. Um. How do you reconcile the social need with the need to protect your puppy from deadly diseases like parvovirus and canine viral illness?

Vaccines for puppies 101

When deciding when is the right time to take your puppy outdoors, it can be helpful to provide some knowledge about how vaccines can play a role in your decision-making process.

Puppies usually get multiple shots of the same vaccine at 6-8 weeks. Puppies' vaccinations are repeated every three to four weeks until 16 weeks of age.

When the puppy is revaccinated with the same virus, the initial vaccine triggers the immune system to produce a dose of antibodies. That's why vaccines are called boosters - they strengthen the immune system.

Puppies already have some protection against antibodies in breast milk; however, these maternal antibodies can also interfere with the vaccine. The maternal antibodies in the pups start to decline at different rates, and we have no way of knowing when these maternal antibodies drop enough for the vaccine to start working.

This is why puppies must be vaccinated multiple times and are not considered protected until they receive all their boosters before 16 weeks.

How to protect your puppy

To protect your puppy from infectious diseases, the following precautions are recommended for puppies under 16 weeks:

Administer all vaccines as advised by your veterinarian.

Avoid taking your puppy to places the dog frequents, such as dog parks and pet stores.

Take your puppy to and from the veterinary hospital. Veterinarians take every precaution to protect your puppy from infectious diseases, but sick dogs can sometimes contaminate hospital floors, furniture, and seating areas before treatment—disinfectant tablets for that area. Stay safe, and bring your puppy.

Avoid letting your puppy sniff animal feces while walking, and do not expose puppies to dogs with unknown vaccination histories.

Make sure other dogs in your household are vaccinated.

Let the puppy in the fenced yard. If your neighbors have dogs, tell them you have a new, unvaccinated puppy.

How to safely socialize your puppy

Now that you're sure your puppy is safe, how do you ensure he's properly socialized during this critical period of socialization? The following situations are generally considered secure areas where your puppy can try out his developing social skills in a disease-free environment:

Interact with fully vaccinated dogs belonging to your friends and family.

Interact with other puppies in the training class. All puppies in the class must bring proof that they are following the appropriate vaccination schedule.

Interact with people in an environment free of other dogs.

When socializing with your dog, incorporate all dog interactions and praise to help them develop good social skills. It's also helpful to follow the Seventh Rule: Every day, your dog needs seven positive, novel experiences that help him develop a positive relationship with the outside world.

Using these guidelines, you'll be able to avoid any situation that might put your puppy at risk for infectious disease while still providing plenty of positive interactions for age-appropriate socialization. Critical is 9-14 weeks of age.