When to start walks, housebreaking outside

[cefire]

Our new pup is almost 11 weeks old and we have been bringing him outside whenever it needs to go. We also want to start taking him for walks to help tire him out a bit :)

Is he too young to be out in our backyard or in the neighborhood. He is up to date on all shots etc.

[lanakack]

I got JJ at seven weeks, so he hadn't received all his shots yet. So I'd take him outside in our yard but not out in the neighborhood streets. In the yard we'd practice walking on the leash for a few minutes. I can't remember which thread it is, but someplace on this forum was mentioned a five minute rule. For every month they are old, it's five minutes. So by the time JJ was four months we were walking about 20 minute strolls.
Lana and JJ

[imogene]

We have two Frenchies, a 12 month old and a 14 week. From what I was told by both breeders, taking a puppy out is not the issue. Keeping them away from areas where other dog frequent, and eliminate are very important but the great outdoors is filled with areas that should be puppy safe. When we brought Belzie home we had a 8 hour drive, and we avoided rest-stops and parks when we needed to stop. We also started house breaking immediately. As it turns out, our 12 month old was a house breaking savant compared to the new puppy. He seems to think that anything soft, dog (beds, soft toys) are great pee pads. It's a very good thing he's cute.evilicon :D

[franp]

IMO, 11 weeks old is really too young to bring a pup outside.. Because of where you live... in an urban area...

I too, live in a city... and was cautioned by both my breeder and Vet not to take Dari out until she was finished with her shots...Giardia and Coccidia are regular visitors to the city...God only knows what else lives on the streets and in the dogparks.. And everydog that goes outside tracks things...

If I lived in a more suburban area, I would feel comfortable taking a young dog out...Not in an urban area, until all shots are done...


What you can do is let Pretzel drag a the very lightest puppy leash around (only while supervised) the house...for about 10 minutes a few times a day so he can get used to the weight. then the feel of it will not scare him..

[cefire]

We do actually live in a suburban area, not right in downtown D.C. Does this change anything or should I keep him inside? How should I go about starting housebreaking if I can't take him outside, just use pee pads?

Thanks for all your help so far

[franp]

If you can keep him in your backyard... then go for it.. as long as you know that there are no other dogs there...