I have question on 4 week old puppies?

Question

I have a litter of puppies and I want to start putting them outside. Not all the time. Maybe starting during the day for a little while. Does anyone have any suggestion. They already eat 2-3 meals a day of puppy food. Mom is not really into going in the box to much anymore.

I am not asking for people opinions on breeding. Just help with the question. My dogs have had all eyes and hips checked. Champion lines and have great personalities.

Puppies can only get sick from not having vaccinations IF there is dogs around that are not vaccinated. It is safe to put them in your own backyard.

Answer 1

they probably shouldnt be allowed outside until they have their first vaccines and some flea/tick prevention from the vet. I really never heard of puppies going outside that young.

added: ticks spread illnesses that vaccines prevent as well, and wild animal feces can be left around, even squirrel, rat, mouse, etc droppings can be infectious, not trying to argue with you just to inform you its not just other dogs you need to worry about for the vaccinations

off of their mothers milk, their immune systems are very weak.(the mothers milk has an enzyme that works as an antibiotic)

Answer 2

I don't even let my Shar-Pei puppies stay out alone at 8 weeks of age. I take them out - I stay with them, and then they come back in with me. A lot of this would depend on there breed and size, and whether or not you have somewhere they can get out of the elements. You may think I'm crazy, but I have actually known this to happen; if your dogs are small a bird of prey can swoop down and grab them like they would a rabbit. I had a friend who was actually "Walking" her pug on a leash and a bird try to snatch it. This is a TRUE story...

As far as vaccines, if you don't have any strange dogs in your yard, or have not had any there recently, or have not had a pet of your own that had parvo, etc., they will be okay to go outside to go potty and poopy. But I wouldn't leave them outside unattended.

Answer 3

It would be best to wait until they have had their first set of shots at 6 weeks old, before letting them outside. Although it's generally safe to let them out in your own backyard if it hasn't been used by unvaccinated dogs, there is always a chance that a wild animal/bird can transmit Parvo and contaminate your land.

At six weeks, they should be okay outside, but if possible I would recommend bringing them inside at night, it's starting to get cold out. I use a small chain-link pen for young puppies like this, it lets them get outside but prevents them from getting into trouble! Make sure they have a nice insulated dog bed (even for use during the day) and plenty of water and toys to keep them amused.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I have been bottle feeding 7 puppies since they were 5 days old. They are now 4 weeks old and eating solid food. Soak a good quality puppy chow in either puppy replacer milk ( can be purchased at your vet or a pet store or you can even give it goats milk( not cows milk) gradually soak the food with less liquid so it will eventually eat it dry. Ask your vet how often since puppies require feeding more often than adult dogs of course in much smaller portions. Most important take it to the vet to be examined ask your vet, about deworming, and what age he reccommends vaccines to be given.Be well informed beforehand.

Answer 5

I would refrain from allowing any puppy to go outside for any amount of time until they have had their vaccinations. The reason for this is that any unvaccinated animal is at a high risk of getting Parvo. Parvo can survive an extremely long time in outdoor environments. The Parvo virus will only survive a month inside,but can sit in your yard for 5 to 7 months. Wait until they have had their vaccinations before allowing them outside much.

Answer 6

You can leave the pups outside for short periods of time. I would make sure that the fence has no holes so no puppy can escape. I would also make sure it is safe from puppy thieves. I started letting mine out when it was time to eat. They came in about 30 min later. After a few days I could leave them outside for about 2 hours at a time. Just keep upping the time a little bit each day.

Answer 7

I've taken 5 week old puppies outside, but under certain conditions:

The weather is very nice.

The mother is with them.

I am with them at all times.

The area is safe (no other animals, nothing for them to get into, no way to get out).

If you live in an area with hawks or other birds of prey, you need to be concerned about them snatching up a pup. The same if you have 4 legged predators in your area.

Answer 8

I'm going to assume that you're smart enough not to put 4 week old puppies outside if it's too cold for them, however if you are going to put them outside before their first series of vaccinations, you must be absolutely certain that no dog that has been in your yard in the past year may have been carrying any diseases. Not just your dogs -- any dog.

I'd wait until they had their first series of shots, if I were you. JMO.

Answer 9

I would not "put" puppies outside until they are significantly older (old enough not to get themselves hurt).

I would, however, take them outside and spend time outside with them, watching while they explore their new world. This sort of thing tells me a LOT about each individual puppy which will help me determine who gets which pup. I start doing this somewhere between 4-5 weeks of age.

I'll assume the temperature is ok... and you'll be sure to monitor how each is acclimating both physically and mentally.

Answer 10

I dont think that you should put them outside unless it is nice weather, if they are babies and they are so used to room temp and they go outside and its either freezing or hot then they could get sick or die. I dont see a problem with keeping them outside in a fenced in area. That will give them plenty of excersise. Good Luck