Our pup is about 7 and a half weeks. He's started his vaccinations and is due for his next shot next week. We live in an apartment and we're trying to house train him, but I've heard to not let him touch ground where other dogs have been. We've already taken him out a couple of times and it absolutely terrifies me but I don't exactly want him going on the carpet. We were thinking about using puppy pads, but I absolutely hate them. My question is, is it okay to take him to the pet area if he's started vaccinations, or should we invest in the puppy pads until he finishes his shots?

Is there another area you can take him to? I'd be worried about one of the other pets carrying something that he could get. The issue with puppy pads is that it teaches them that its OK to go inside and that is very hard to break.

I agree, try to find a 'low traffic' area. I used to bleach treat a small area just outside of our apartment, and another member on here suggested making a sand box for your porch area for your pup to potty in. Problem with high dog traffic areas is you just don't know if someone else's dog is carrying something or if they've even been vaccinated. Hate for your pup to get sick

Roxy: That was our problem too, with the puppy pads.

Lani & Roxy: Well, we've only seen one other dog. There are 3 pet areas and I haven't seen a lot of other dogs, but it still worries me. That's the only issue, do we wait until after his shots and let him go on a puppy pad now or do we risk it and potty train him? It's so frustrating. We have a balcony area, so maybe we can take him out there and fix something out there? It's just a new situation. All my other dogs have been able to just go outside and go with no worries. :/

What about puppy shoes? I know they're lame, but would they protect him if he wore those when we went out?

FInd a low traffic area - not exposing a puppy to these things can be just as bad as exposing him. It is through our immune system meeting infections that we develop antibodies. Just be very careful and keep it brief.

Very true. I'm just so terrified of Parvo. Like I said, there's 3 pet areas and we usually just take him to the one closest to us. We walk him down the steps and onto the grass, he goes and we bring him right back up.

Well, Parvo is less harmful if you dog is healthy. But, the vaccination period is the most detrimental because vaccinations, as they are working, compromise the immune system. If parvo is scary in your area, perhaps bleach the spot you want him ot use? It's not rampant here, especially with winter so I just used Apple Cider Vinegar with Cato.

My aunt had great success with potty training in a sandbox (filled with dirt or woodchips or something they find natural to empty themselves on) when she lived in an apartment. Then, when they are used to soiling that material, you can keep some with you and toss some down when you're out and need the pup the pee quick (eg. road trip). That's a pretty convenient side of that method.
Megan has an excellent point as well. A bubble-dog, regardless of how many vaccinations it's had, is still a bubble-dog. They do need low exposure to things so they can develop a strong immune system, like a child. However, it needs to be appropriate for the little dude. You wouldn't drop a teeny newborn into the cesspool of germs we let little snotting kindergarteners roam free in, for eg. A low traffic area would be better than a pet area for that reason. Who knows what the other pets are carrying.
Good luck with the potty training either way you do it!
-edit- Sorry, I was sick for 3 weeks straight when my cousin started kindergarten. It's just gross. Seriously.

I'm not a fan of the training pads for the reasons already stated. I've taken Kavik around the apartment grass areas from day one and he's done just fine. If Alki has been getting all of his vaccinations then he should be ok going outside, and I second finding a low traffic area. Just try not to let him eat the poop.

You could always inspect the area before you take him out, pick up any poop that's lying around and pour some ACV on the spot as you go. Tedious yes, but better in the long run for your puppy.

Do not use puppy pads, my biggest regret with Embry was them. He thought anything on the ground was fair game and it took me 9 months to him to go potty outside.

When I asked my vet about this issue, she said I would probably be fine as long as I kept an eye on my puppy to make sure she wasn't eating poop, etc. She tends not to lead me astray, even when she gives me unconventional advice. I took all my pups out potty in public areas before they finished their shots, and nobody got sick until wayyy after when the entire 218 dog boarding kennel I worked at got Bordatella (Kennel Cough) all at the same time.

I'm sure they were all vaccinated to, Eric - the bordatella vaccine is so ineffective it's ridiculous.

mheath0429 wrote:

I'm sure they were all vaccinated to, Eric - the bordatella vaccine is so ineffective it's ridiculous.

Oh, yeah. Every dog at the AOCB had to have UTD records to play or stay at all. I stopped renewing mine every 6 mo..

I don't give it at all - at this point I personally feel its more harmful than helpful

Parvo is generally more rampant in the south from what I understand and the fact that it's only gotten below freezing about 5 times this winter doesn't help I'd imagine.

I'd definitely look to use lower traffic areas in your complex. Even if they aren't specifically dog areas, I can't imagine anyone would say anything as long as you pick up after him.

What did you end up doing, and how did it work out? I'm facing the same issue in a couple months when I bring my puppy home. I live in New York city and I'm afraid of parvo (dogs often go on the sidewalks because there is no where else). In my neighborhood, the building supers often hose down the sidewalks every morning, but i know water alone won't kill the virus, plus by the time the afternoon/evening comes around a lot of dogs will have gone by. I'm actually considering creating a little 2x3 foot sod area inside my apartment for the pup to use until he/she has had all vaccinations.

We actually just ended up walking him in a smaller area of the dog section. We considered getting one of those fake grasses sections but I've heard mixed reviews on that. That is a GREAT idea! I've heard that works like a charm!

Thank you. i might try and plant my 'lawn' this weekend lol

Depending on your apartment complex, they might require proof of all vaccinations before they let people move in. I know mine did, I had to show that my dog was up-to-date on all his shots. I know it's not fool-proof, and people can sneak dogs in, but hey, at least it's something.