Can my 8-week-old puppy go to public places before all shots?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
I have an 8 week old puppy and am meant to be going to the Elmore field days with my family, would it be safe to take her with me if I carry her so she doesn't come into contact with other dogs due to other diseases and my puppy only having one immunisation at this stage.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 2nd, 2017
I would not recommend taking your puppy with you. Even if you carry her the whole time people will still approach you and want to pet her/come into contact with her. I think this is a high risk of exposure to illness. She is not fully vaccinated so taking her will be a risk. I hope that helps
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 23rd, 2019
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I do not recommend bringing your puppy in public places and/or around other dogs until he is fully finished his course of puppy vaccines. He will be at a huge risk of contracting infections such as parvovirus and other respiratory infections, that can be severe. I hope this is helpful!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Hi! My puppy is 7 weeks old and had had her first set of shots. I have a high school sporting event to attend tomorrow and will be gone for more than 3 hours. Would it be safe to take puppy with me? I would keep her in a carrier/hold her and she woul
Hello, generally we would recommend that puppies whom are not fully vaccinated only have controlled interactions with other pets whom are fully vaccinated to prevent spread of diseases. As long as you ensure your puppy does not get into anything they should not (abnormal foods or foreign material) then it should be safe to bring her with you. Make sure your puppy does not come in contact with any other pets whom you are not aware of their vaccine history. Vaccines take up to 2-3 weeks to promote the body to build immunity. Hope this helps and best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
Hi ! I got a new Pomeranian Pup on Sunday night, he is 37 days old. My brother has a baseball game today, but my Pup hasn’t gotten his vaccines. Could I take him with me?
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. I do not recommend bringing your puppy in public places and/or around other dogs until he is fully finished his course of puppy vaccines. He will be at a huge risk of contracting infections such as parvovirus and other respiratory infections, that can be severe. I hope this is helpful!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
When can I take my puppy out to parks and public places? After 12 weeks do I need more vaccinations to prevent diseases?
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Mia. Puppies are not considered fully vaccinated until at least 16 weeks of age. Before this age, they are potentially unprotected. However, the puppies most crucial socialization window closes at 14 weeks of age. So it is important for the puppy to have as many different positive experiences as possible before this time. Puppy classes are a great option. Walks around the neighborhood and outdoor shopping centers are great ways for the puppy to meet new people. You need to avoid dog parks, areas highly trafficked by other dogs and hiking trails. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
I really need to know if I can take my puppy with me in his carrier when I go to certain places.Mighty is a month with his first set of shots, I leave him alone often because I’m not sure if I can travel with him in his carrier. He is a dachshund and
Mighty is a cutie pie! And I love his name! Yes, you can take him in his carrier. I would just be aware that he isn't completely protected from the important virus until he has had all of his shots (usually 4 sets of shots each 3 weeks apart with the last set around 15-17 weeks old). If you do take him, I would just be aware of where you allow him to go to the bathroom and do not take him into any public places where other dogs could have been like petsmart and Petco or any public parks. If you don't want to risk it, then I would keep her in her crate or leave her at home. Also, do not leave her in the car without any AC going as the temperatures can get hot really quick during these warmer months. I hope this helps !
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 9 week old Morkie named Piper who recently received her first set of shots on Sunday 9/3. I would like to know would it be okay to bring Piper outside in a carrier.
Hello and thank you for your question on Boop by Petco! It is okay to bring her outside inside a carrier, but she is not yet ready to interact with other dogs or walk around in places where other dogs have been. As long as she is contained in her carrier, that should be okay. I hope this has helped answer your question! Piper is a very cute little girl.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Is it safe for her to go outside?
If Petunia isn't fully vaccinated, which she won't be at two months of age, it's not safe to bring her to public places and dog parks. I wouldn't take her on walks either. She can go in the backyard to go potty but bring her back in when she's done.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy is 10 weeks old tomorrow and just got his DHPP and deworming shots yesterday. Is he okay to start socializing with people and other dogs as well as going to new places? He gets the rest of his shots in a month.
Socialization in controlled environments is good (such as puppy classes where all puppies must show proof of vaccination) or with friends that you trust to have their dogs vaccinated. I would not recommend going to public parks or pet stores until 1 month after the last vaccination (usually at 16 weeks of age).
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
Can i take my puppy out with me to errands she is 10 weeks and has two sets of shots already!
I prefer she not be around other dogs until she’s 14 weeks old and has finished her vaccinations. You certainly can take her out and about as long as you minimize her contact with other dogs. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Mia.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
I bought a female toy poodle from a local breeder. The poodle is 7 weeks old. Breeder told me I should not put her on the ground. I have never had small breed dog only large dogs. What do I need to do, I have to put on the ground to let her relieve h
The very real risk of putting her on the ground (public sidewalk, dog park, even petstore floor) is that she could contract a disease called parvovirus which is shed in the feces of infected dogs. If she walks over parvovirus particles (where other owners scooped up infected feces), and licks her paws, she could contract parvovirus which usually results in serve life threatening diarrhea and dehydration and requires expensive overnight care at an emergency hospital often lasting several days. Puppies are usually vaccinated against distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza virus at 8 weeks, again at 12 weeks and again at 14 weeks with the last booster at 14 + weeks of age in order for immunity to be effective for a full year. (Other vaccines include Bordatella at 8+ weeks of age, Rabies at 12+ weeks of age, lepto and Lyme at 12+ weeks of age -lepto and Lyme each need to be boosted 3-4 weeks after the initial dose to provide a year's worth of immunity and are often not given i
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Is it safe for my 2 months old puppy to go travel?
Yes you can take Awie traveling with you, but do not allow her any contact with any other dogs and when you take her to potty, do not take her places where dogs frequently. She won't be fully vaccinated, and you need to keep her away from places where dogs go to prevent her from contracting deadly diseases such as parvovirus and distemper.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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