When Can Puppies Go Outside? First Puppy Walk

Getting a puppy is incredibly exciting but it is also a big commitment and there is a lot to be aware of before you bring your new dog home. 

Looking after a new puppy can be overwhelming, especially for first-time dog owners. That is why we have created several guides to help you along the way. Whether you’d like advice on buying a puppy, are wondering what to buy when you first get a puppy, or you want to know more about taking care of your puppy’s health, these guides will help make the transition as easy as possible.

A common question that puppy parents ask is, when can puppies go outside? If you’re desperate to show your puppy to the world, be sure to read our guide first and make sure your puppy’s first walk is when they’re vaccinated and ready.

When Can Puppies Go Outside? 

Puppies cannot go outside until they are fully vaccinated. However, if you have a safe and secure garden that is fully fenced and not used by unvaccinated dogs, your puppy can go out into the garden straight away. 

Puppies benefit from having access to a safe outdoor space as soon as possible as it helps them get used to a wider variety of sounds, smells, and experiences. Your puppy will be able to explore this safe area while they grow in confidence, get used to their new surroundings, and start toilet training.

First Puppy Walk

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You cannot take your dog outside of the garden or out for their first walk until they are fully vaccinated. You should also wait a week or two after their final jab in the primary vaccination course as it takes a bit of time for your puppy to have full protection. 

Your vet will be able to help advise you on how long to wait after the vaccination before you take your new puppy out and about. 

It’s important to wait before taking your new dog outside as puppies are particularly vulnerable and taking them out too soon exposes them to potentially dangerous diseases and other risks. Just licking or sniffing a contaminated surface can pass viruses such as parvovirus onto your dog, and unvaccinated puppies are at higher risk of picking these viruses up. 

We know you’re keen to get your dog outside to experience the big wide world, fortunately, there are ways you can do this safely and this is something we look at in more detail below. 

Taking Your Puppy Outside Before They Are Fully Vaccinated 

Puppy socialisation is extremely important and we understand you want to get your dog out into the world while they are young. One way you can do this safely is by carrying them on walks and to various places in your local area. 

Carrying your dog while out gives them the chance to experience different environments and exposes them to a range of sounds and situations without putting their health at risk. 

The more animals, people, interactions, experiences, and places your puppy experiences safely and positively, the better it is for your puppy and the more likely they are to grow into a confident, well-rounded adult. Safe socialisation is about introducing your puppy to new experiences in a risk-free way. 

As a puppy’s socialisation period is between 3-12 weeks the breeders play an important role in this and will often give you some advice on how to continue socialising your puppy safely. 

Exercising Your Puppy When They Can’t Go Out

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Puppies are energetic but they will also sleep a lot so be careful not to overdo it at first. During their energetic moments, spend time playing games in the garden and letting your puppy explore the house and garden. Your puppy will get to see what’s going on, listen to different sounds, and smell lots of interesting smells. 

Your puppy will be able to get more than enough exercise at home during these first few weeks/ months. You can also scatter their kibble in the garden or across a scrunched up blanket so your puppy has to follow the scent of the food to find it. This is a great way for them to use their senses and it keeps them mentally and physically stimulated too.  

Toilet Training Your New Puppy 

As your puppy can safely use your private, enclosed garden (as long as there are no other unvaccinated dogs with access to the garden) you can start toilet training as soon as you bring them home. Use positive, reward-based training and be patient, toilet training can take weeks or months so consistency is important. 

If you don’t have a garden, toilet training will be a bit harder as you should wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated before taking them outdoors. Your vet may be able to help advise you on what to do if you don’t have a private garden. 

Ready To Get A New Puppy?

If you’re ready to bring a new puppy into your home, use Puppies to ensure they come from a responsible breeder. Always take care when looking for a new dog, don’t rush the process and be sure to check for health tests as this means the parents and puppies have been checked for certain genetic diseases.