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When can my 10-week puppy safely go to public places after shots?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | 2 months and 10 days old

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.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on May 8th, 2019

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).

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on May 23rd, 2017

    Penny won't be fully vaccinated until around 16 weeks of age, so until then you will need to be somewhat cautious about where you take her - but, it's very important to be getting her "out and about" in safe places to socialize now. This is because if you wait until after 16 weeks to do this, she will already be past her main socialization period - so it's important to start as early as you can. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has a position statement on this topic with specific recommendations, which you can read here if you like: https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf At this point, it should be fine to take her for walks around your neighborhood and introduce her to lots of new people. It's also fine for her to interact with healthy, vaccinated adult dogs - you could visit friends who have dogs like this, for example. If you have a good puppy kindergarten class near you, she could go ahead and start this as well - this is a great way to get her around other puppies who are also healthy and vaccinated, in a sanitary environment. I would avoid busy parks, pet stores (unless she stays in the cart), or other places where large numbers of unknown dogs have been. Other than that, it's fine to go ahead and take her wherever you can :)

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    Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on August 2nd, 2017

    I recommend waiting until 3 weeks after her second puppy shot, and then limiting where she goes outside of the house. Walks in the neighborhood are ok, and visiting friends' pets that have been vaccinated is fine as well. Obedience training puppy classes that require proof of vaccines would be safe, too. But I would avoid going places where there are potentially unvaccinated dogs, such as the pet store or dog park, until 1 month after her last puppy shots.

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