unsupervised yard time -- 9 week old standard poodle

Question
When is it appropriate to allow puppies some unsupervised time in the back yard?  What milestone am I supposed to be looking for?  He hasn't gotten into anything yet, and he roams the yard while supervised after meals for 1-2 hours twice a day now.  He sometimes comes back to check in with mom & dad, but mostly sniffs around.

Answer
Hi amy;
As long as he is truly safe, it doesn't matter how young he is.
Make sure the yard is secure from anyone stealing your baby.
Make sure there is nothing in the yard that can harm him. Mushrooms, oil or antifreeze, things that could harm him.
If he wants to sniff around, leave him alone, Mom. He has business to take care of. He has to play, and he has to guard the house. GEESH!
Let a man do his job! LOL
Does he have toys to play with, gnaw on?
Kong toys are really good for him. they are hard enough that he can't bite off pieces he could choke on, and you can put peanut butter, or cheese inside them for him to work at fishing out with his teeth and tongue, and it gives him the chewing he needs to ease the sore gums of cutting teeth, and helps those teeth come in easier, like a teething biscuit or teething for a two legged baby.
I couldn't keep my hands off him for 2 hours.LOl
Play with him, so he has some really good exercise. Throw a ball fr him to chase.
enjoy your baby, and don't be such a fuss budget mom.LOl
He is fine.
Charlotte