| AGE |
VETERINARY CARE |
DEVELOPMENT |
LEARNING |
| 1-4 weeks |
Usually none if the puppy
is healthy. Take to vet at one or two days to check for congenital
malformation. Dew claws can be removed 4-6 days old.Ask vet to
show you how to clip pup's nails. |
Eyes and ears open at
about day 10. Day 15 puppy can stand up. Day 20 pup begins to
walk. Puppy still very much needs mother. |
Puppy learns by
relationship with mother. Important for close ties with others
later on. |
| 8 weeks |
Puppies receive antibodies
through their mothers milk. This natural protection can last 8-14
weeks. Puppies & kittens should NOT be Vaccinated at LESS than
8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little
protection (0-38%) will be produced.Vaccination at 6 weeks will,
however, DELAY the timing of the first highly effective vaccine.
Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart SUPPRESS rather than stimulate
the immune system. Submit stool sample for worm analysis. Blood
sample may be required to check for anemia. Start weaning pups on Eukanuba |
Mother begins to wean
pups. First teeth start to come in. Puppy likes contact with
litter-mates. |
Puppy learns to relate to
other dogs and develops a pack hierarchy, or pecking order,
through play. |
| 8-12 weeks |
Week 12: second in series
of shots will include above plus first leptospirosis vaccine.
Rabies vaccine can be given at 12 weeks. Ask vet to show you how
to clip pup's nails. |
Puppy needs lots of human
contact. Should be weaned and he should leave his mother. |
Learns to develop close
ties with people. Lots of people contact at this age is
beneficial. Introduce collar and start house training. |
| 12-16 weeks |
A series of vaccinations
is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16
weeks of age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of
age (usually at 1 year 4 mo) will provide lifetime immunity
Recheck stool for worms.
Can start puppy on heartworm
prevention program. |
Puppy's size increases
rapidly and motor control is better developed. Likes the outside
world. |
Puppy learns confidence
and how to handle new situations (such as going up and down
stairs, going through doors). |
| 4-6 months |
Spay and neuter dogs at
six to eight months, depending on development. Recheck stool for
worms. Possible x-ray for hip dysplasia. |
Puppy begins to lose puppy
teeth. This means lots of chewing on things, so be prepared with
chew stick (large enough so he won't choke). Most puppies can now
be trusted through the night. |
Can learn the simple
commands sit, stay, come, down. Will know his own name. |
| 6-12 months |
Another vaccination given
sometime after 6 months of age and at 16 months (1 year 4 months)
will provide lifetime immunity.
Test blood for heartworm each spring and maintain preventive
medicine. Repeat stool analysis twice a year. |
Six to twelve months a
female comes into heat. Males start to lift leg, Leg lifting and
shows the start of a males sexuality. House-training over. mostly
stage Teething>
| Begin formal obedience
training now with use of training collar. It is important to start
a good behavior pattern at this time as the dog will not just
outgrow those awful puppy habits (jumping up, mouthing, chewing,
barking) unless you make him. This is doggy adolescence. |