Gotta brag!

[rsjenni]

howdy all. Just writing to brag a little about my little 10 weeker. I took Austin on his first little walk yesterday around a neighborhood where I knew kids would be playing and lots of people would be out to come see him. He was perfect. Small children were petting him, he was so excited, but didn't try and chew on anyone or anything. Little angel. There were also a few other dogs out and he didn't even take a second look at them.. He was also wonderful on his little leash, even though he hates his colar! he stayed right next to my leg the whole time. I am soo proud of the little guy! Way to go Austin!
I know you aren't really supposed to walk puppies for too long at first, no running, fitness running, until like 18 months. I just wanted to make sure it was ok for us to go on this walk. It was probably a mile and we were just kind of playing around the whole time... This is ok... right, just don't want to hurt his little joints.

 

[Shakira's Ma]

I think a mile seems a little extreme. Maybe someone else will chime in her and let you know what they think. I know that it is harder for them to walk on cement or asphalt then on grass, so if you were in grass maybe that would not have been so bad, however, I do believe that a mile is excessive for such a young puppy. You have a right to brag, it sounds like little Austin is just a proper little gentleman. It is good to socialize him like you are doing, I would be very scared about walking him anywhere until he has had all of his shots, after 16 weeks old. Parvo is easily picked up and a young puppy can contract Parvo and other viruses from urine and feces, even though they have started their shots, believe me I lost a Chow puppy from a simple walk around the neighborhood, we must have walked where Parvo and Corona Virus was looming. JMO

 

[rsjenni]

thank you for your help! I had heard to be careful until he had gotten all of his shots completed... I don't think I will walk him again for a bit. It's not worth it to risk him getting sick, even if I thought the neighborhood could be safe... not worth it. Thanks!!

 

[SoleilBxrs]

glad your pup did great. i agree w/ Shakira's Ma that all shots should be done before exposing the pup to the outside world. also, a mile is WAAAYYY too much for a pup that age. i'd wait til he's older before taking him out on walks.. stick to just letting the pup run around a yard, or something of the sort. good luck!

-Kat

 

[pinkpuppy]

Yay for little Austin! However, I too would wait. Chloe has only recently been "allowed" out - and she loves it. We waited a week (well - 6 days) after her last set of 4 shots to go to the park. I know it's tough - you don't want your puppy to be bored in the yard; and walks with your baby can be highly enjoyable -- but it's not worth risking their health...

Few solutions: I took Chloe to my mom's on the weekends - for variety's sake - so she had a different back yard to conquer... So maybe you can visit one person with a different yard: a person who doesn't have any pets. Also, when Chloe was really little (9 to 11 weeks) - we used to sit on the front porch: she would sit in my lap and just observe (then it got too cold to sit motionlessly). Try that...

There will be plenty of time to socialize the pup later... Keep him selfishly to yourself now and enjoy it. (pretty soon he'll be loving everyone else - and you'll be jealous that others are getting bum-wiggles too; not just you.)

 

[rsjenni]

Thanks for the suggestons! We are actually going to Parent's house this weekend, no animals there. and they have a nice sized yard/field for him to romp in. So that will be different for him. So we will wait it out... luckily it is relatively cold here recently so he really hasn't wanted to be outside for long. Minus yesterday and today where it is an unusual 60 here in MA! So fell to temptation and took him for a walk (fyi: i don't think it was a mile, nevertheless... too far and won't do again.. lesson learned!) thanks to all

 

[Jan]

I would check with your vet and find out how prevalent parvo and distemper are in your area. It is really important that your puppy be socialized at a young age. You need to weight out the risks vs the benefits. It would be pretty safe to take him to your neighbors to visit with them in their garden etc. Just avoid dog parks, pet stores and anywhere else that dogs tend to hang out.

 

[Daisys_rjm]

My boxer baby began coming out for walks when she about 10 weeks. When she got tired, ( nowhere near one mile, maybe a couple of blocks or so), she would simply sit and wait to be picked up so that she could enjoy the fresh air in someone arms for the reminder of the walk.

Although it is important your puppy doesn't get sick, I feel it also important that your puppy also begins to socialize and experience the world. Don't quarentine your baby, simply use common sense and avoid situations and areas that would be high risk.

Remember...
"It is better for a child to break his arm falling out of a tree, than to never now the pleasure of climbing a tree"

randy and Daisy

 

[Shakira's Ma]

Thanks for the suggestons! We are actually going to Parent's house this weekend, no animals there. and they have a nice sized yard/field for him to romp in. So that will be different for him. So we will wait it out... luckily it is relatively cold here recently so he really hasn't wanted to be outside for long. Minus yesterday and today where it is an unusual 60 here in MA! So fell to temptation and took him for a walk (fyi: i don't think it was a mile, nevertheless... too far and won't do again.. lesson learned!) thanks to all

Something to keep in mind is that whether there are animals there or not you mentioned a field for him to romp in, raccoons carry Parvo probably more then dogs. I was told, when my Chow Chow contracted Parvo Corona virus's that she more then likely picked it up from raccoon droppings, even though we live in the city there are raccoons everywhere. So always remember that even though there are no pets there are always wild animals around or maybe someone else's pets could venture on their property or even strays that have had no vaccinations at all. Just a thought, wouldn't want you to have to live with a pup dying way too young from something that could have been prevented.

 

[craZ4HERKIE]

Yea Austin! appicon I am glad he did so well on his walk for you.When Herkie was that age, he was busy trying to eat every rock he could find! And he hated a collar....absolutely refused to walk with a collar, so we compromised and used a harness. Now he uses either one, and is perfectly happy. I have to agree with everyone else, though...I would want to keep close to home until he's finished with vaccines. And also, a mile seems like it may be a bit much for such a wee fellow! At that age, Herkie wouldn't walk more than a block or two...then insisted on being carried....it was just too much for him. Good luck with your little fellow!