THE PUPPY'S FIRST YEAR OF LIFE

Janet · Bossman Moderator Posts: 1763 Join date: 2008-10-15

On this thread you will find information describing all about your puppy's first year of life...

Janet · Bossman Moderator Posts: 1763 Join date: 2008-10-15

In the early days of his life, your puppy's whole world consisted of his dam's quiet, nurturing warmth and the close comfort of his littermates. As his eyes opened and his hearing developed at two to three weeks, his world and his experience began to broaden - he learned to get his tiny legs under him, and he began to wrestle with his brothers and sisters.

Bit by bit, play and other interaction with his dam and siblings helped him learn important lessons about how to behave with others. His breeder was sure to provide loving human interaction as well. Staying with his breeder and his family group and continuing to learn from them for his first eight weeks was crucial in helping your puppy develop a healthy, secure personality.

Now it's up to you to give him the care he requires every day. There's a lot involved - he needs nutritious food, plenty of attention, gentle training, safe toys, a comfortable home, and proper veterinary care. He'll give boundless love in return. This important first year of his life is a fun and exciting time for both of you!. As he grows physically, the wonderful bond between you will grow too. Understanding your puppy's needs in the weeks and months ahead will help you give him the right start as your healthy, happy companion for life.

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

Physical development: Your puppy is getting his act together physically-he's still quite roly-poly, but learning to coordinate his growing body well enough for playful jumping and tumbling. Towards his 12th week he'll start shedding puppy teeth as permanent teeth emerge. By his 12th week, bladder control is improving.

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

As your puppy shifts his dependence to you as his owner and leader, you'll become the center of his world. He'll probably like to lie down on top of or beside your feet!

He is curious about everthing around him. He has a very short attention span at this age, (8-12 weeks) and is easily distracted. Although he had little sense of fear in earlier weeks, at some point between 7 and 9 weeks he may be suddenly cautious of anything new in his environment. This "fear period" is normal. He may be fearful of abrupt movement or loud sounds. Be aware of this sensitive phase and try to prevent undue trauma to him.

Much as a toddler explores with hand and fingers, young puppies like to investigate things using their mouths. Combine this with the increasing urge to chew as permanent teeth start to come in, and you have one mouthy customer! Be prepared for this by providing him with lots of safe chewable toys.

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

Keep in mind at 8 to 12 weeks:

Like any baby, your young puppy needs to sleep for much of the day. Keep playtimes short and give him lots of "down time". Don't force him to keep up prolonged activity, and resist the urge to show him off to everyone right away....

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

HEALTH AND NUTRITION REMINDERS

Your pup's immune system is not fully developed until he's about 12 weeks old. To help protect him from several serious canine diseases, it's crucial duringthis time to keep up with his vaccine schedule (his "puppy shots") as recommended by your veterinarian. It's also very important to keep him away from other dogs, and from areas where other dogs may have soiled the ground, until he's 12 weeks old.

Resist giving your pup "people food," but be sure to feed him four times a day with a high-quality puppy food that has the nutrients his growing body needs.

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

TRAINING TIPS FOR THIS STAGE

Introduce "pre-training activities" - Although your puppy has a very short attention span, you can begin gently developing a few basic behaviors such as wearing a collar, following on a leash, and coming when called. Keep each session only about three minutes long, with the emphasis on fun, using plenty of treats and praise.

Since his immunity isnt established, your pup can't yet venture to training classes or public places. But it is important for him to start meeting a variety of people. This can be done in the safety of your home-simply have visitors gently interact with your puppy whenever possible.

Not until 12 weeks, as your puppy gets better control of his bladder and bowel movements, can more focused housetraining begin. Right now, be sure to take your puppy out very frequently-after everytime he eats, drinks, or awakens; after he has a bout of activity; and at least every hour or so in between. While you're not with him, provide him a safe confined space that includes a place for him to sleep and a separate "toilet area" where he can relieve himself.

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

IMPORTANT "TO DOs"

* Take your puppy out very frequently.
* Give him safe chew toys
* Start "pre-training"
* Keep up with vet visits

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 12 TO 16 WEEKS

Your puppy's senses and motor skills are well developed now. He still needs to sleep a lot, but he's full of energy when he's awake. His bladder and bowel control are continuing to improve.

His adult teeth are still coming in. While this is happening, sometimes puppy teeth don't fall out as they should. Have your vet check your pup's mouth on the next visit.

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

BEHAVIOR CHANGES AND CHALLENGES 12 - 16 WEEKS

Your pup is very inquisitive and interested in exploring the world around him. Right now his brain is geared toward soaking in everything it can. This coincides witha crucial phase in his development. Hi is in what is called the critical socialization period. Through 4 months of age is the single most important period influencing how your dog will behave as an adult. Now is when the foundation is laid for the rest of his life in terms of his attitude toward you, other humans, and other dogs.

It's extremely important for your pup to have good experiences now, being introduced to all kinds of people and things he'll encounter during his life. Luckily, with his immune system finally matured, it's now safe to take him to a wide variety of public places. It's also important for him to play with other dogs as much as possible. Play with other dogs ensures that your pup will be dog-firendly as an adult and teaches him basic, important rules of intercanine behavior.

It's not a substitute for your own efforts to socialize your puppy regularly, but a great help is to enroll in a local puppy class. These fun, informal gatherings expose your puppy to a variety of people and other dogs each week.

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

TRAINING TIPS FOR THIS STAGE 12 to 16 WEEKS

Housetraining can begin in earnest. Take your puppy out frequently, and praise him lavishly every time he eliminates outside. Don't get lazy and let your puppy roam the house unsupervised. "Accidents" are not a puppy's purposeful misbehavior; they're an indication that you're not keeping tabs on him. The goal is to get him to go outside before an accident occurs. If you catch him in the act, calmly hustle him outside, then praise him if he finishes there. If an accident occurs while your'e not looking don't punish him. He won't understand, and it will damage your relationship. Frequent outings, persistence, and watchfullness, and lots of praise are the keys to quicker housetraining.

Although your puppy is rambunctios and easily distracted right now, don't get tough in training him. He's still sensitive emotionally and psychologically. Fears can occur easily and inhibit learning.

To nurture the bond with your pup, try hand-feeding him. Feed kibble to him bit by bit. Play a game: call his name, back away, then give him food when he comes to you.

You can also begin basic grooming. Praise him while you gently brush him, handkle his mouth, and paws, and trim his nails.

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

IMPORTANT TO DOs 12 TO 16 WEEKS

Socialize your puppy-introduce him to a wide variety of people,places,and situations. Enroll in a local puppy class if possible, and use treats toteach im to come when called.

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 4 - 6 MONTHS

This is a period of major growth for your puppy, and his high-spirited bursts of activity likely feature much clumsiness. Combine all this with still relatively short attention span, and you have one rambunctious customer on your hands!

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

BEHAVIOR-CHANGES AND CHALLENGES 4 - 6 MONTHS

At around 4 months, your puppy will go through and avoidance period, similar to the fear period he experienced at 7 to 9 weeks. During this phase he will probably be hesitant about doing new things and suspicious of new situations and places.

If he tends to be on the shy side now is the time to ease up if necessary, and be sure to keep things fun. Be sure not to push him or punish him for his anxiety.

If his usual demeanor is especially bold this might be a time where he simply backs off a little and looks to you for support; in that case, it can be an opportunity where he's especially receptive totraining and you canencourage his responsiveness to you.

Always-The-Boss · Administrator Boss Posts: 433 Join date: 2008-12-25

KEEP IN MIND

Your pup is especially prone to anxiety at this age. Calmly explore new situations with him, but don't push him or punish him if he is reluctant.