Congratulations on the arrival of your new family member! We’ve put together some basic puppy information to help you get started. Vaccination To safeguard your pet from potentially serious and sometimes fatal diseases your puppy needs to be vaccinated. Our vaccines protect against several diseases including Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis and Canine Parainfluenza Virus and Bordetella (Kennel Cough). We recommend the following vaccination schedule: Puppies – Vaccination every 4 weeks from 6 weeks old (or first presentation) until at least 16 weeks. In most cases this means: 8 weeks = First puppy vaccination (C3) 12 weeks = Second puppy vaccination (C5) 16 weeks = Third puppy vaccination (C5) Then annually a Kennel Cough Vaccination (Parainfluenza Virus and Bordatella Bronchiseptica) Triannually a C3 Vaccination (Distemper, Parvovirus and Hepatitis). Recently we have also started recommending an annual Leptospirosis booster due to the reported cases in Sydney over the last 12 months. When can I started taking my puppy out? Puppies are not completely protected by their vaccinations until 2 weeks after their final puppy booster. Until this time we do not recommend you take your puppy anywhere it could be exposed to potentially life threatening diseases e.g. dog parks or areas with unknown dogs. However the ages 8-14 weeks old is a crucial social development periods for puppies so for this reason we do recommend commencing basic socialisation. Here are some simple guidelines: Before 10 weeks old: Out and about but in arms. No interaction with other dogs outside the household. Limited exposure. Two weeks after first vaccination: Commence puppy preschool Commence interaction with other friendly dogs you know are healthy and fully vaccinated. Two weeks after second vaccination: Commence walks around the block. Avoid dog faeces and other dogs. Two weeks after final vaccination: Fully immunised – go for it! Handling & Stress. Vets have to poke and prod