When to walk puppy outside - 10 or 12 weeks

[40yearsyoung]

Hello,
Our pup is now 10 weeks old and so far so good. He is having his second vaccinations tomorrow and the vet has expressly said not to let him walk outside for a further 2 weeks. He has been in the garden since we got him at 8 weeks and is toilet training really well outside. However, i spoke to the trainer that runs our local dog behavior class (he's starting next week) and he said the best thing to do for your pup is get him lead walking outside asap. He says that distemper is almost non existent in the UK and that dog is already exposed to parovirus from the garden. Can i have some advice please?
Thanks

[Amicompletelyinsane]

We always say a week after second vaccine

[Hogtini]

I wouod listeb to the vet's advice. You'd only be able to walk him for 10 minutes anyway so she'd burn a lot more energy playing games with you in the house and help to build your bond, practice recall etc (I'm sure you're already doing that just saying).
We used to walk with ours in our arms round the block/pop into Pets at Home, pub garden etc in our arms until he had his 2nd lot of vaccines. He loved just sniffing the air, being close to us, meeting people, I imagine it helped build his trust and confidence being close to us too.

[Dementedswan]

I'd follow your vets advice. You can start lead training in the garden.

[BiteyShark]

I would take your vets advice over the trainer unless your trainer has a degree in veterinary medicine.

Whilst your puppy has been in the garden they will come across lots of poo walking them outside and not every dog is vaccinated.

[ButFirstTea]

Ours was just over 11 weeks. He had his second vaccine at 10 weeks and the vet advised another week or so before walking. We still took him out loads of places but just carried him!

[40yearsyoung]

Thanks, helpful to have reassurance I'm doing the right thing.
He's joined me on the school run everyday for the past 2 weeks being carried and we are going for a coffee this afternoon so will keep going. Thanks

[adaline]

Lead train in the garden - they don't need to go on walks at that age anyway, only about 10 minutes at a time if that.

[BiteyShark]

Definitely doing the right thing. You are carrying the puppy so it's getting used to all the sights and sounds outside but not putting him at any risk until you are sure he has his immunity.

I wouldn't be impressed with a trainer that is so anti vet advice. After all it won't be him that suffers any consequence if your puppy became ill.

[40yearsyoung]

Its like having a new born, everyone you meet has an opinion on how you should be rearing and feeding and I've had conflicting advice from vet, trainer, breeder and books! I know he is thriving and we are all happy so will do what feels right and follow the vets advice. Thank you.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Distemper still exists in the UK, just the type of people who's dog from it would never use a trainer just presents s half dead dog at the vets.
Parvo is faecal contact so unless you have had a dog with an active Parvo infection in your garden in the last week your puppy has not been exposed. But there are regular cases all across the UK.
Lepto one of the other disease ms we vaccinate is very real and is passed on in rats urine. So puppy should not be in high risk areas.
Only vets and RVNs who have nursed just one of these cases can tell you how gut renchingly awful it is you fight and fight staying up through the night just in case this is the one case that might survive. And then comes the moment that you have to make the awful phone call breaking the terrible news.

You can get your puppy out about in your arms or in a puppy sling to socialise it without putting it at risk.

[40yearsyoung]

Thankyou lonecatwithkitten and I'm sorry to hear about the animals suffering from exposure to these conditions. Also glad you've mentioned the puppy sling which I've been using daily and people look at me as though I'm mad 😀

[almondsareforevermore]

Our vet doesn’t even start vaccinations until 11 weeks as they are more effective when pup has lost immunity from mum.
There’s no hurry to get a baby pup walking the dirty streets on a lead.