puppies

Question
QUESTION: Hi  love this website... I had a litter of golden retriever puppies on 4/26/11  wondering at what age can they be taking outdoors to play..I remember the vet saying not til they get there shots..Is this true? also were thinking of keeping one of the puppies for companionship for mom..is there a sex preference for having 2 dogs..I also have a male cocker but he is not very playful  he ignores her. Thanks Kathy

ANSWER: Go with a female, one of each is the least likely combination for problems.  

I am disappointed any vet is saying keep puppies in until they have all their shots.  The period between 6-12 weeks is a dangerous time.  One sniff where a sick dog relieved itself in the last 6 months can bring on parvo or another life threatening disease.  Fail to expose it to strangers, including men, women, children, noise, etc. and you could end up with a misfit you can't take out in public.  They also need continuing contact with other dogs, but it must be limited to ones you know are getting good care.  The dangers of disease conmtinue after 12 weeks, but the best time for socialization is ending.  

http://www.apdt.com/veterinary/assets/pdf/Messer_ND06.pdf

http://www.apdt.com/veterinary/assets/pdf/Silvani_JF05.pdf

http://www.akc.org/enewsletter/akc_breeder/2008/winter/puppy.cfm

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QUESTION: We have been socializing the pups just not outside. I have 4 children and between them and our friends they get plenty.So the pups are 4 wks old should I wait til 6 wks or can we  take them out now? just in our yard not where other dogs deficate.Thank you so much for taking the time to answer me. Im always full of questions. and its ok to keep a female even though mom is female  to keep the cranky  male cocker as leader of the pack.  kathy

Answer
A fenced yard that other dogs are excluded from is fairly safe.  It is commonly done.  If you have hawks in the area, a person or the mother needs to be out near them too.  Often the puppies are kept in an X-pen.  Having them out allows them to learn to relieve themselves on grass.  That helps housebreaking.