12 to 16 Weeks: Part 6 Behavior – Changes and challenges
Your pup is very inquisitiveand interested in exploring the world around him. Right now his brain is geared toward soaking in everything it can. This coincides with a crucial phase in his development: He is in what is called the critical socialization period. Through 4 months of age is the single most important period influencing […]
12 to 16 Weeks: Part 5 Physical Development
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 […]
8 to 12 Weeks: Part 4 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 3 minutes long, with the emphasis on FUN, using plenty of treats and praise. Since […]
KEEP IN MIND…
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!
8 to 12 Weeks: Part 2 Behavior – Changes and Challenges
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 everything around him. He has a very short attention span at this age, and is easily distracted. Although […]
8 to 12 Weeks: Part 1 – 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. Toward his 12th week, he’ll start shedding puppy teeth as permanent teeth emerge. By his 12th week, bladder control is improving. As the new teeth come in, the […]
What to Expect in Your Puppy’s First Year
I will be covering this exciting time in multiple blogs. Please keep coming back to see the latest and greatest! 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 2 to 3 […]