Can I carry my puppy outside before vaccinations in the UK?
Agustin Hauck
2025-08-26 14:08:45
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You can stick to the garden, carry your puppy outside in your arms or in a puppy sling, or use dog buggy so they can still experience everything safely. Until then, you can carry your puppy outside in your arms or take them out in a dog buggy or puppy sling to get them used to the sights and smells of the world outside before they are fully vaccinated. However, they are at risk of catching nasty diseases until after they have had their second vaccinations. Your puppy can go in the garden straight away – provided it’s secure. You should wait until after your puppy has had their second vaccination before taking them out for a walk. Puppies are generally considered to be ‘safe’ two weeks after they have had their second round of injections. If your puppy was vaccinated at 8 weeks, again at 10 weeks, they will be ready at 12 weeks old.
Mitchell Koepp
2025-08-20 14:07:31
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As long as your garden is safe, enclosed with solid fences and not used by unvaccinated dogs, then your puppy can explore the garden straight away. Taking your puppy for their first walk is a huge milestone, but you’ll need to wait until they are fully covered by their vaccinations to be safe. This is usually a week or so after their second jab in their primary vaccination course, but this does vary depending on which vaccine your puppy has had. You might want to carry them round the park so they can see and hear other dogs, without actually meeting them. Avoid putting them on the ground or letting other dogs approach to keep them safe. It’s best to ask your vet when you take them in for their jabs, as they’ll be able to give you exact timings. There may also be some places with a higher risk that you’ll need to avoid for longer – often for around a month after their final vaccine – such as near rivers and farms.
Emma Tromp
2025-08-11 11:08:27
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When you pick up your puppy from the breeder or rehoming centre, remember to ask what vaccinations they have already had so your vet can continue this protocol, and let you know exactly when it is safe to really start to get your puppy out and about.
To help reduce the risk of disease, it is important to use a space where no other dogs have access, except ones that you know the vaccination history of - such as your own or other family dogs.
Go on lots of outings to a variety of places where you can carry or hold your puppy so they can see, hear, smell and experience all the things their new life holds from relative safety.
As they are not yet sufficiently protected against disease, they can’t interact with other dogs or people - or put their paws on the floor - but this early exposure to a variety of places and experiences can be invaluable in their social development.
These outings can be anywhere from the park to watch people and other dogs, to standing in the street and watching traffic from a distance, to going to the pub, to sitting outside coffee shops, to short trips on public transport, going to the beach or woods, or just out for a drive…
Anything you can think of that is going to be part of your dog’s future life - and where you can hold and carry them throughout.
Make sure admirers keep their distance.
Linwood Walter
2025-08-02 09:17:05
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If your garden is safe and secure from other dogs or animals, you may be able to allow your puppy out into the garden as soon as you take your bundle of joy home. If you know that foxes or other animals are frequently in your garden, it may be best to wait until after their vaccinations. Your precious puppy should not mix with other dogs until at least two weeks after they’ve had their second lot of vaccinations. You usually need to wait two weeks after a puppy’s second set of vaccinations before it’s safe for them to be out and about. If you have a clean, secure, and enclosed garden, your vet may say that your pup can go out to play in the garden straight away. It’s important to limit contact with other dogs or animals like foxes – so if your garden gets unwanted visitors, it may be best to wait. Seek your vet’s advice or wait until after their vaccinations have kicked in. Every pup is different though, so your vet will be able to give you their recommendation.
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