Technically, Zero’s “first walk” was actually his first commute to work with me. 😊
Since we weren’t allowed to take him out for real walks yet, I bundled him up tightly like a little burrito and took him to the office with me instead. 😆

Thinking back on those early weeks and the emotion of his real first walk, I wanted to share some photos and memories from that special time today. 🩷

✔️ Pre-Walk Prep: Are you ready, Zero?

Zero was born on June 18 and joined our family on August 6.

At that time, he had already received his first round of puppy vaccinations.

In general, vets recommend taking puppies out for walks only after they’ve had their 2nd or 3rd shots.

We consulted a vet right away, and they advised us to schedule the second shot about a month after the first.
So, Zero got his 2nd vaccination on August 24!

(Proof of Zero’s 2nd vaccination — one step closer to the great outdoors!⬇️💉)

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💉 Puppy Vaccination Basics

• 1st shot: 6–8 weeks old
• 2nd shot: 2–4 weeks after the 1st
• 3rd shot: 2–4 weeks after the 2nd (if needed)
• First walk: At least 1 week after final vaccine
• ✳️ Always consult with your vet before deciding when it’s safe to go outside!

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After completing his puppy vaccinations and waiting about a week to monitor for any allergic reactions, we took Zero out for his first real walk on August 31.

💙 Ready to Walk, Little One?

Following the vet’s advice, we chose a quiet area for his first outing—just a short 10-minute stroll on the sidewalk near my office during lunch. 🌲

📸 Back to the Office After Our First Stroll : Our boy even managed the stairs like a pro! 💙⬇️

We got Zero used to wearing a harness indoors well before his first walk, just like putting on a little jacket every day.
This helped him feel completely comfortable when it was finally time to head outside.

I chose a harness and leash set made with reflective material for nighttime safety.
The leash came with a handy poop bag holder built into the handle—super convenient!

Product: Rogz Classic Reflective Dog Lead, Purple

However, the inside stitching on the matching collar turned out to be rough and irritated Zero’s neck.
We ended up switching to a smooth leather collar from Kmart that had a softer lining.

🐶 Tip: When choosing a collar, always feel the inside finish with your hands—soft, seamless interiors matter most for comfort!

✅ Puppy’s First Walk Checklist

✔️ Harness & Leash (reflective recommended)
✔️ Poop bags & bag holder
✔️ Treats (for reward or distraction)
✔️ Water & portable water bottle
✔️ Pet wipes (for paws, face, and bottom)

This was Zero in his harness when he was even tinier…
He’s grown so much that it looks like he’s wearing a bikini now! 🤣

Also—what’s with that sleeping face?! You look terrifying, Zero 😱

🐾

Although he sniffed the grass a bit earlier in the day, we don’t count that as a full walk.
That evening, we went for a proper 20-minute walk on a quiet neighborhood trail with a 3-year-old Pomeranian friend. It was his first real taste of the outside world. 💙

🎥 He was curious about his furry big bro, marked his territory on the grass, and soaked in all the new sights and smells.

💡 Choose a Calm Location for the First Walk

Puppies are easily overwhelmed by unfamiliar sounds, fast-moving people or bikes, and other dogs.
Start with a quiet environment at a less busy time of day—your pup will feel more relaxed and confident.
Zero walked much better than expected because we kept things calm and familiar.

🧼 Post-Walk Care Routine

Zero still had plenty of energy after his walk 🤣
Daddy gave him a little massage to help him wind down, and he stayed like that for a while—he must’ve loved it! 🩷

💡 Don’t Skip This After a Walk!

Clean your pup’s paws, face, and mouth area after every walk.

At first, I only wiped Zero’s paws, but I’ve learned that cleaning the face and mouth is just as important—especially for short-nosed breeds like Frenchies.
Zero often buries his whole face into bushes or sniffs the ground closely, and this can expose him to dirt, allergens, or worse—residue from other animals. 😥

Neglecting this could lead to irritation, allergic reactions, or infections.
So now, it’s part of our routine: gentle face wipes after every walk = healthy pup + bonding time 🩷

🏃‍♂️ Zero’s First Clumsy Run

Watching your puppy discover the world one wobbly step at a time is so precious.
First walks can be awkward and scary, but all they really need is your calm support and a slow, steady pace.
Zero started small—with a quiet patch of grass—and grew more confident with every step.

I hope this story helps you as you prepare for your pup’s first big adventure. 🐾💙

⬇️
P.S. If you skip walks… expect abstract art installations on your potty pads. 🎨💥
(aka: Jeff Koons strikes again… 🤦🏻‍♀️)

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