Castle of Paws

🐾 New Puppy Safety Guide (Before Vaccines) Your puppy is not fully immune until after their 16‑week booster series. Until then, they are vulnerable to diseases like parvovirus and distemper. This handout explains how to keep your puppy safe and healthy during this critical period. 🛑 Places to Avoid Dog parks — high risk for parvo and distemper. Pet stores — floors and aisles may carry germs. Sidewalks and public grass — parvo can live in soil for months. Unknown dogs — only interact with dogs you know are fully vaccinated. 🧼 Safe Practices Keep play areas clean — disinfect with a bleach solution to kill parvo. Carry your puppy — if you must go out, don’t let them touch the ground. Limit visitors — only allow trusted, healthy, vaccinated pets and people. Focus on safe socialization — expose your puppy to household noises, car rides, grooming, and gentle handling. 💉 Vaccine Timeline 6 weeks: First 5‑way vaccine 8 weeks: Booster 12 weeks: Booster 16 weeks: Booster + Rabies Explore: puppy vaccination schedule 🐛 Parasite Prevention Deworming — every 2 weeks until 12 weeks, then monthly. Flea/tick prevention — safe products can be started early. Heartworm prevention — begin at 12–16 weeks. ⭐ Bottom Line Your puppy is partially protected after the first shot, but not fully immune until 16 weeks. Keep them safe by avoiding risky environments, practicing clean handling, and staying on schedule with vaccines and deworming. This guide is for new puppy owners to follow until their puppy completes the vaccine series.