There are quite a few experts who say that four weeks is the best time when you can start exposing your puppies to the outside world. But some say it's still too early for them. However, you may be able to start letting them go out long enough for them to learn to use the bathroom and if you (or your dog mom) have taken care of them well enough. In those first days as a newborn, Mom encourages her little ones to go to the bathroom by licking their lower regions.
By the time puppies are around four weeks old, they should start going on their own, without mom's tongue to cheer them up. You can start training your little ones at home right now by taking them outside to do their duty on a regular basis. Puppies' bladders aren't very large, so you'll be in and out frequently as they begin to control that particular body function. Keep these outdoor trips short, as the antibodies the pups received in their mother's milk can help them stay healthy and disease-free, but it's not foolproof.
Puppies' immature immune systems still leave them susceptible to all kinds of diseases from the outside world. Puppies should generally stay with their litter until at least 8 weeks of age. Most puppies go home for good between 8 and 10 weeks. This is also the crucial period of puppy socialization.
Because of potential biological hazards outdoors, most veterinarians will recommend that pet owners wait until the puppy is at least three months old before taking it outside. Your neighborhood probably has walking paths, grassy areas, and dog parks that you want to take your small dog to, but waiting until they're a little older may be a better option. If you wait to take your puppy outdoors after they have received their last vaccination, you should be in the safe zone. This usually happens when your puppy is between 14 and 16 weeks old.
Tiny newborn puppies are adorable, little bundles of fur that melt your heart and you can't help but want to show off. If you're wondering when puppies can go outside the home, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommends that pet guardians begin taking puppies for walks and going out to the public as soon as one week after their first round of vaccinations, at approximately seven weeks of age. Others believe that young puppies should go out early to begin the canine socialization process. The question of whether or not puppies should be taken to obedience classes has caused a lot of debate in the dog care community.
Like human babies, small puppies need a lot of sleep and will have to spend most of their time indoors. This process usually starts around 3-4 weeks of age and can continue until puppies are approximately 8 weeks old. Around the age of 8 to 10 weeks, puppies naturally go from being very curious about everything, to being more cautious about things they are not used to. Some private patios and gardens are safe for puppies to roam without the risk of exposure to various diseases.
Because of the risk of contracting dangerous and life-threatening viruses, puppies should be kept safe at home until they are fully protected by vaccines. According to the AVMA, puppies can freely enroll in a puppy or socialization class after their first vaccination, provided that it is carried out indoors and the other dogs attending the class are disease free.
