The Schnauzer Forum

Hello all! I just wanted to get some more opinions on timing of taking freshly rejoined puppies outside before their final vaccination. It seems to be a subject with a lot of varying opinions. Let me preface by saying I know not to take them to high dog frequency areas but I’m wondering more of backyard? I have heard stories though of people doing potty pads and just outside and their dog still getting parvo. I am wanting to be as safe as possible but also want my dog to be socialized and well adjusted. Does anyone have a mini schnauzer they kept inside until fully vaccinated that was still able to adjust well to outside/ socialization? Thanks!!

Welcome to the Forum

This topic really could bring up a wide range of opinions as you say and it is always going to be down to what you feel most comfortable with as regards whether or not to let your puppy interact with other dogs before their final vaccinations but I would not deprive a puppy of the opportunity to explore their outside environment at home for a variety of reasons including house training, socialisation and general mental and physical development.

We have had many puppies over a period of 25 years now and they have been outside in the garden and playing with our adult dogs, digging in the earth and generally enjoying themselves from around 6 weeks of age (unvaccinated at that time) and none have ever contracted an illness from this. It is not just socialisation but also the opportunity to explore the outside environment which is so important in these early months. Locally, we also have puppy socialisation classes who allow pups after a single vaccination to socialise together and many people are happy to allow a puppy to interact with other dogs they know to be healthy and trust to be no risk to the puppy. The likelihood of a healthy puppy from a good breeder contracting Parvovirus in either of the above circumstances is low but obviously not 100% guarantee.

As regards the vaccinations themselves, a puppy can be successfully immunised against Distemper / Hepatitis (Canine Adenovirus) /Parvovirus with just a a single combined vaccine from at least 8 weeks of age but it is also possible for a puppy not to successfully respond to vaccination even after more than one dose until 12 + weeks of age as it really depends on the level of maternal antibodies still active at the time. If these are still circulating they can counteract the vaccine. A puppy does not need multiple doses of vaccine but if the first vaccine is before 16 weeks of age, the doses are repeated in the hope of catching any pups who may not have responded to an earlier one.We usually wait until a puppy is around 12-14 weeks before getting just one DHP vaccine and then titre test later to check that it has worked and don’t vaccinate again.

If you decide to keep your puppy inside until they are 3-4 months old, they will suffer from a lack of socialisation IMO and from the benefits of enjoying outside stimulation. Although you could take them out and about in your arms or a pet buggy/carrier, it will still mean the puppy not having the opportunity to interact physically with other dogs and the outside environment. It may depend on the area where you live as to how great a risk you judge it would be to let your puppy down outside in your backyard or to play with other pups/ dogs before that time so that is something to take into account of course.

I've let our pups have free roam of our garden area and play with our neighbours adult dog in the garden. They've also been on the water line of the beach at low tide before vaccinations. I just picked them up if other dogs came on the beach.

I take my puppy for a short walk around the block. She has seen the neighbor's dogs, but if we encounter another dog I just pick her up as above. The vet just suggested I keep her on the pavement (away from tall grass and parks where dogs frequent).