When Should The First Walk Be

My new Golden Retriever puppy is home. She's so much work! I forgot how much--so I am totally exhausted.

I have a question for you. While we had snow I could let my Golden Retriever puppy run around but it has melted and she is eating the backyard so I can't let her out now without a leash. (She vomited her dinner last night). She's had her first vaccination. Do you think I could take her for a walk on the pavement of the road?


Response from Golden-Retriever-Magic:

Your new one sounds adorable--an adorable handful!

We definitely do not want her eating the dirt in the backyard as that will undoubtedly lead to gastrointestinal symptoms (hence the vomiting). But I also would not recommend that she go outside where she could potentially be exposed to other dogs' infections until she has completed her puppy vaccines.

So, maybe a middle-ground solution would be to leash her and take her in the backyard. If she eats the dirt, you will be there to gently reprimand her (negative reinforcement) and if she behaves well, then you will be there to give her her favorite treat (positive reinforcement).

Hope that helps.