Who doesn't love puppies? They're cute, adorable and funny. Who doesn't love puppy parenting? Well, I'm pretty sure not all of us does.
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| The Perks of Puppy Parenting |
A true puppy parent will experience getting tested in areas such as patience, alertness and discipline before rearing one's fur baby is done. Crate training and potty training can be a hassle to the uninformed so brace yourselves for painful cuteness and sleepless nights.
A Puppy's Growth
The life of a puppy has certain stages. Here's a summary to give one a brief idea of it.
Puppy's First Two Weeks: Puppies can't see or hear yet. They will rely on their mom and littermates' presence. Often times, they'll be huddled up together for warmth.
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| Puppies Huddling for Warmth |
Puppy's Next Two Weeks (3rd-4th Week): They'll begin exploring their environment. Now, their eyes and ears start to open.
5th to 7th Week: They begin to act more like dogs- smaller, cuter and clumsier versions of what they will become. They start interacting with their littermates and the mom teaches them the basic ways of the dog. Bite inhibition is also learned during this stage.
Puppy's 2nd to 4th Month: This is the time reputable breeder send their charges to their new homes. Owners should cherish this stage because curiosity will be at its peak within the next four to six months.
Within the 8th to 11th week, some puppies experience a "fear period". They can end up getting frightened by things they weren't scared of before. Be aware that this fear can impact their lives forever.
Puppy's 4th to 6th Month: Teething and challenging you will happen during this stage. A supply of chew toys will help deterring him from going straight for your furniture... I hope.
Reference: Your Outta Control Puppy by Teoti Anderson
Choosing a Puppy
Although adoption from your local shelter is the best way to get a new addition to the family, I understand that others would rather have a pup whose breeding history they are sure of. Checking out a reputable breeder in your area is a great way to find one.
Before picking your puppy, here are several things you should remember. I acronymed it the "EEEMPC" Test.
Eyes: should be clean, clear and bright.
Ears: should be clean and parasite -free, without foul smelling odor.
Energy: should not be lethargic. A puppy's energy can indicate his health. A weak puppy in stress can have all sorts of issues once introduced into a new environment.
Mouth: should be free of sores and gums (and all mouth areas) should be pinkish in color. Teeth should be free of plaque.
Paws: should be free from injury and intact. The puppy shouldn't be limping either.
Coat: should be fluffy and soft. Oh wait, I was just kidding. It should be clean and not dull-looking.
Reference: Puppy Parenting by Dr. Scott Miller
Vaccinations
This is an interesting topic since some of us have already followed the recently approved 3-year gap in dog vaccination. Either way, always remember that vaccinations are important because it's our dog's primary protection when they are introduced to the world.
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| Wrong thought bubble... Bath be gone... bath be gone... sounds more appropriate. |
Assuming we, as disciplined owners, stuck to the original vaccination schedule, our pups should be done with his within the 16th week. This is the time that taking him with us to public places is advisable.
This is just the tip of the iceberg in puppy parenting. Information (and a whole lot of it) is the key to make puppy parenting a more enjoyable and less stressful task to tackle with our furry friend. I hope this helps.
Huggies and Cheese,
Haopee
My Dogs Love Me
Huggies and Cheese,
Haopee
My Dogs Love Me