Following their birth, puppies spend their first few weeks close to their mothers. She keeps them warm, clean, and fed. She also oversees their social development, watching the littermates as they play with each other. By the time a puppy is adopted, he has already gained social skills that will remain with him through adulthood.
In most cases, puppies are adopted after eight weeks. They are separated from their mothers and introduced to the homes of their new owners. Other times, the pup is separated earlier from his mother. This can occur if she passes away or is unable to feed him during his first several weeks. It falls upon his owner to care for him.
Below, we’ll take a look at the key factors involved with caring for and raising a healthy pup. You’ll learn how to provide for his nutrition, health, and training on the road from puppy to adult dog.
Proper Food And Nutrition
If your pup is less than four weeks old, you may need to feed him with a bottle. Your veterinarian can show you the proper way to do so to ensure you avoid harming your puppy. At four weeks, most pups are able to make the switch to kibble, though it should be softened with water or a milk solution formulated for puppies. By the eighth week, the kibble can be served dry.
At three months, you can start giving him commercial puppy food. It will contain the vitamins and nutrients he needs in order to develop properly. He’ll grow quickly, so two meals per day are appropriate. By the time your pup reaches six months, start mixing adult food into his meals throughout the week.
As a side note, once you find a commercial brand your pup enjoys, avoid changing to another brand. Variety is not as important to canines as it is to people.
Vaccinations And Medications
Puppies usually begin receiving vaccinations at five weeks (for parvovirus). At six and nine weeks, most should receive vaccinations for coronavirus. From weeks twelve to sixteen, vaccines should be given for rabies, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. These vaccines will also help your pup avoid contracting distemper, kennel cough, and hepatitis. Starting at week twenty, most dogs should receive boosters (or, revaccinations). These provide immunity from contagious diseases for the remainder of their lives.
In addition to vaccinations, puppies should be given medications to help control ticks, fleas, heartworms, and other parasites. Tick and flea infestations are relatively easy to avoid, though containment after an outbreak can prove problematic. Heartworms are more prevalent during warm weather since the parasite is carried and delivered by mosquitoes.
Your veterinarian will also want to deworm your puppy. Whipworms, roundworms, and other intestinal parasites can cause illness if left untreated.
Exercise And Obedience Training
Daily exercise is important for puppies throughout their lives. Physical activity helps them expend pent-up energy while stimulating their minds and relieving boredom. Exercise also helps with digestion, which staves off obesity and other medical problems. Plus, it builds the pup’s muscle tone and supports his joint elasticity as he grows.
Training classes are also important because they help puppies understand their place and role under their owner’s authority. In group settings, classes also provide a valuable supervised environment in which your puppy can socialize with other pets and their owners. This experience leaves an indelible mark on a pup. The early socialization makes him more compliant with your wishes and more friendly with everyone he encounters down the road.
Caring for a new puppy requires patience. During his first few months, he’ll rely upon you to provide the things he needs to develop into a healthy adult canine. The time you invest pay dividends because it helps your dog become a better friend and companion.
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