Is My Backyard Safe?

[TishaMoon]

I'm sorry to start so many threads with my questions, but I have so many new mommy concerns and I always get great, friendly answers.

I am obviously concerned about my baby getting sick before she is fully vaccinated. Other than the vet, I don't plan to take her anywhere until then.

However, she is currently being trained on puppy pads indoors, so as soon as I ger her home I want to begin outside training (I will also use puppy pads).

I am concerned whether my backyard is safe for her though. I have a brand new home (moved in December) with a fenced in backyard. As far as I know, no dog has ever been back there. However, my neighbors on both sides have dogs, and behind my back fence is a walking trail where people walk their dogs.

Also, I have yet to landscape the back yard. Right now it is just dirt with a lot of weeds. My parents are planning to come by today to spray weed killer. It's only 8 days until I bring her home so I am concerned that that could be dangerous for her. Of course I would be supervising and making sure she's not eating dirt or anything off the ground.

So based on the dirt/weed/weed killer environment of my backyard, and the proximity to other dogs, is it okay to take her outside for short periods of time just to go potty? Or should I stick to potty pads until 16 weeks? I just worry that it would then be harder to switch her to outdoor training.

[chachi]

I would think it would be safe for her to be in your backyard. I dont know about the weed killer though. My vet said the only place I could take mine untill they had their shots was my yard

[bchgirl]

When our lawn is treated the recommendation is to keep pets off of it for 24 hours. She should be fine.

[TishaMoon]

Thanks! Another question: Will she be likely to go on dirt? Eventually I will have grass or ground cover, but for now she needs to get used to the dirt...

[Sweet Apple]

Hey Tisha,

In answer to your question "will they eat dirt"...they'll eat anything!!! But look on the weed killer bag/jug, and it should tell you how long to keep pets/children off...Also, you usually have to water it in, so, for sure, if it says that, be sure it's totally watered (or rained on) before letting the puppy go on it...Now, be prepared for anything and everything to go into your puppy's mouth, in the backyard...I comb my yard daily for strange things that seem to show up, and I have a 6' fence around it...

All the Best to you and your new little one, and the great love and adventure ahead of you...

Maggie & Apple
xoxox


xoxoxo

[Sweet Apple]

And, oh yes, they'll go on the kitchen table if they were on it, and needed to go lolol...

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

Hey Tisha,

In answer to your question "will they eat dirt"...they'll eat anything!!! But look on the weed killer bag/jug, and it should tell you how long to keep pets/children off...Also, you usually have to water it in, so, for sure, if it says that, be sure it's totally watered (or rained on) before letting the puppy go on it...Now, be prepared for anything and everything to go into your puppy's mouth, in the backyard...I comb my yard daily for strange things that seem to show up, and I have a 6' fence around it...

All the Best to you and your new little one, and the great love and adventure ahead of you...

Maggie & Apple
xoxox


xoxoxo

she will go potty in the dirt. I dont have any grass in my backyard and mine go potty out there

[Tess1113]

Originally Posted by TishaMoon

So based on the dirt/weed/weed killer environment of my backyard, and the proximity to other dogs, is it okay to take her outside for short periods of time just to go potty? Or should I stick to potty pads until 16 weeks? I just worry that it would then be harder to switch her to outdoor training.

I got Remington in November making it so hard to potty train outside because he would just stand there and shiver, so I gave up and used puppy pads..now that the weather has been nice out, I took his pad and put it outside the door, and each day I have moved it further and further from the door..it's been 6 days and Remington now potty's outside!!