| 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. |
