For the first few weeks of their life, taking your puppy outdoors too soon could expose them to a number of potential risks that could endanger them or make them seriously unwell due to illness or infection - whether that’s from another animal or the environment.
Since some of these can be deadly and most don’t have any treatment besides supportive care, the aim is to minimise contact as much as possible until your puppy is fully vaccinated. However: later behavioural problems (due to lack of socialisation) tends to be a major cause of early rehoming.
So: when can puppies go outside? The key is to strike a balance between safety and socialisation, which while challenging is possible, if you are careful and follow advice from your vet. Here are some tips to help you safely introduce your puppy to the big wide world.
At the Vets
Once you get your puppy, make sure you register with a local vet who can carry out any relevant vaccinations. Some adoption centres (including the RSPCA) will ensure adopted puppies already have basic vaccines and include this in the adoption fee - but if you are unsure, check whether the home or charity you are adopting from can do this first.
The main vaccines your puppy needs include:
- Rabies: Given once the puppy is around 12-15 weeks old, and not before 12 weeks.
- DAPP: This stands for “distemper, adenovirus, Parainfluenza virus; parvovirus) and is administered at around 6-8 weeks of age. Once given, puppies can get boosters every 3-4 weeks until they are around 16-20 weeks old.
Certain “lifestyle” based vaccines may be useful depending on the circumstances. For example, if you live in a rural area where lyme disease is a higher risk (or if you are likely to go on countryside walks) then getting a lyme vaccination is essential. Ask your vet which vaccines your puppy needs to make sure everything is covered.
Other Vaccines
In addition to other important preventative treatments including flea treatment, neutering and worming you can ask your vet about the following vaccines:
- Lyme: Given once the puppy is 12 weeks of age. Requires a booster after three weeks.
- Influenza: Offers protection against the main cause of kennel cough. Can be given at 12 weeks and requires a booster after three weeks.
- Bordetella: For protection against another cause of kennel cough. Vaccines for this can be administered from eight weeks of age. A booster may or may not be required depending on how common bordetella is in your local community and the type of vaccine available.
General advice from vets tends to be not to take your puppy out in public until about 1-2 weeks after your puppy has their second vaccination - although this duration may depend on the types of vaccinations given and the level of immunity your puppy has.
Welcoming Them Home
Taking things slowly is key to keeping your puppy safe during this period. Puppies need time to adjust to their new home - so while they are still getting their bearings it can help to keep them in one room, then gradually “opening up” the home one room at a time. While doing this, crate training can help offer them a safe den to retreat to when they need it.
Puppies have quickly developing brains and bodies that require plenty of enrichment to stay healthy. To do this at home, you can set up a forager hunt in your garden, or let them “hunt” for treats around the house (dog-safe snuffle mats or food toys are also great for this).
Playtime In The Garden
Before you rush off to the dog park (or public park) with your pup, keep in mind that if they are not fully vaccinated they could be vulnerable to a host of illnesses, including:
- Rabies
- Adenovirus
- Leptospirosis
- Distemper
- Parvoisis
- Kennel Cough
A relatively safe way to help your pup get used to the outdoors is by exploring in the garden, so long as they are supervised and the garden is securely fenced, without any holes or broken parts to sneak out of. One way to keep outdoor playtime safe is to use a puppy pen.
Keep your puppy away from any garden tools, decorative gravel or stone that could injure them, and always keep them away from any potential toxic substances, (either sprayed onto plants or in their containers) as well as any plants that are toxic to dogs.
One of the additional benefits to having a garden is that you can begin toilet training immediately - but if you don’t, puppy pads offer a potential solution.
Preparing For Noisy Environments
Eventually, you can carry the puppy outside in a puppy buggy or sling so they can experience the world from a safe vantage point, although bear in mind some environments may be too noisy and over stimulating - so take things slow and steady.
You can build up your puppy’s tolerance to noise by gradually exposing them to recordings of sounds such as traffic or fireworks at home (so long as they are comfortable). This guide from Dog’s Trust has some useful resources on sound therapy for dogs. Never reach excessive volumes while doing this, keep these training sessions short and take things slowly.
When To Take Them Outside
If your puppy has had one or two of their basic vaccines, you may be wondering: when can puppies go outside? - but until your puppy has had their last booster, don’t assume that it’s safe. For example, if your pup was vaccinated at 8 weeks and again at 10 weeks, they should be ready to venture outside by the time they are 12 weeks old.
Most vaccines take around a fortnight to take effect - with the exception of the rabies vaccine, which takes 28 days. If you are unsure, ask your vet when you take your puppy after their vaccination and ask for a vaccine record, as in some cases immunity can weaken over time and your puppy may need a booster.
Starting Socialisation
From 12 weeks onwards, you can start to train and socialise your puppy. Puppy classes are great for this as they can help boost your puppy's confidence under the guidance of a professional dog trainer.
If your puppy is still unable to go out, you can use a road-facing outdoor area (such as a driveway) to allow your puppy to observe as much as possible. Make sure you hold your puppy in your arms during this and if the area you are in is not fenced, make sure they are on a lead.
Eventually, you can try taking your puppy to other places you would regularly visit so that they can get used to them, such as short trips on public transport, cafes and any other locations you might visit together in future.
Setting Boundaries With People And Your Pup
It’s important to acknowledge that while you are out, your puppy will likely be a magnet for people wanting to interact with them - however it’s important to politely refuse any attempts to do so for the following reasons:
- In case the person has been in contact with a pet carrying any diseases your puppy has not yet been vaccinated against, as these may be transferred to your pup.
- If your puppy is being held or on a leash, they have no means of escape - but it also means they can’t get away from the strangers attempting to interact with them. From your puppy’s perspective, that can be a stressful experience.
It’s not always easy to explain all this during a brief interaction, simply saying your pup hasn’t been vaccinated yet can help. Everybody wants to pet a puppy - but nobody wants to make them unwell!
The key here is to be firm and clear, leaving no room for uncertainty or repeat requests. If the other person is insistent (however friendly their tone, the priority is to protect your puppy’s health. In these situations, it’s fine to simply create some physical distance and walk away.
Introducing Your Puppy To Other Dogs
So: when can puppies go outside to make some puppy pals? Once your puppy has been fully vaccinated, it may be safe to introduce them to other dogs - so long as it’s under supervision - and as long as the other dog(s) are also fully vaccinated.
Meeting other dogs for the first time is a key part of their social development - although this can be daunting from a pup’s perspective - so at first let them watch dogs from a distance while ensuring they feel safe.
Socialisation is a key part of learning how to interact with other dogs and while much of this takes place amongst their littermates and mother, it’s also important for them to continue this as they grow - although there are some safety tips to keep in mind when doing this.
Keeping Your Puppy Safe Around Other Dogs
- Since your puppy is likely to be smaller and more fragile than a group of adult dogs, make sure they are safe from being stepped on or played with too roughly.
- Similarly, some dogs of more nervous or aggressive dispositions may not be suited to being around an energetic young pup, so choose your puppy’s playmates with care.
- If your puppy is female, be aware of when socialising takes place, as female dogs come into season from around 4-6 months (if your puppy is 6 months and up, ask your vet about neutering if you haven’t already.
Want to give your puppy the best start in life? From walking equipment like puppy harnesses and dog leads to our great dog crate selection to help get your puppy settled into their new home, we have everything you need.