How to Care for a Puppy

From Birth to Weaning

From the moment the cubs open their eyes, they live with their mother and their littermates. It is at that moment, when they begin to develop their senses. Initially, they develop a sense of smell, which helps them find their way to their mother’s breasts, which they instinctively recognize as a source of nutrition.

The mother takes care of her cubs by licking them and keeping them warm with her body. She licks them, not only to clean them, but also to establish their basic physiological functions. Puppies need food and warmth. When the mother is temporarily away from them, they group together to compensate for the heat loss that she avoids with her fur. Human contact is important because, by handling and petting them, puppies become aware of the presence of human beings in their environment from an early age.

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The recommended time to wean the puppies is around 40 days from birth. From then on, in general the puppies are prepared to eat soft food, consisting of combining dry food with warm water, according to the recommended rations.

Puppies may be a bit restless at first, but after observing their mother, who serves as an example, they will soon start to get used to the new flavors. Gradually, you can start to withdraw soft food to end up giving them only dry food.

After 3 months, gradually reduce the amount of water added. For healthy development make sure your puppy maintains a lean body condition during growth. Adjust the daily amounts based on your puppy’s activity level, physical condition, and individual needs. Always leave clean and fresh water at your disposal. To keep your dog healthy, see your vet regularly.

When the puppies are one month old, it is important to leave water available to them throughout the day. In the early stages of the transition from soft to dry food, you will notice significant changes. The puppies will begin to interact and play with each other, improving their posture and movements.

Welcome Home

The moment has arrived. Your puppy has just arrived in her new home. You want their life to be amazing from day one, and we are here to help you get there.

Puppies love to sniff everything around them. With a few simple tips, you can control this concern:

• Keep your puppy in a limited area of ​​your home, away from spaces that may pose a risk to him.
• Avoid leaving medicines or products that contain chemical agents within reach.
• Make sure you don’t have access to cables or plugs.
• Never let it access foods like chocolate, since its ingestion is toxic to dogs.

How to Care for a Puppy

In parallel, to ensure the correct adaptation of your puppy and provide him with the greatest well-being in his new home, you must have the following elements on hand and not neglect these aspects:

• A bowl for food and another for water: choose resistant and easy-to-clean materials.
• Your bed: it will be your place of rest and relaxation. It is very important that you get used to it from the first moment. Choose a bed that adapts to your initial measurements and needs, although you can also find some on the market that adjust to your growth phases. Place it in a quiet and easy-to-clean space, but make sure it is close to you or your family, so that your puppy feels safe in her own space.
• A collar and a leash: check that your first collar meets quality standards in terms of material and strength (nylon or leather). Try to get your puppy used to the collar as soon as possible. This will make your first walks and subsequent training satisfactory for both of you.
• Brushing and Bathing: To ensure your puppy stays healthy and clean, brushing should be part of his grooming routine. Choose the one that best suits your breed and hair type. Check with your vet about the frequency of their baths, and never use shampoos recommended for adults, babies or children.
• Dental care: puppies usually lose their baby teeth by 6 or 7 months. Despite this, it is vital that she get used to brushing her teeth as soon as possible to create a healthy habit in her. It starts with gentle brushing and, as he gets older and more familiar with this activity, uses a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. In no case, use products intended for adults.

The Treatment of a Puppy

In order to keep track of your puppy’s health, you must first get him used to being handled and undergo scans.

Place it on a table that you have arranged, placing it on a towel to prevent it from slipping and falling. Start by brushing and stroking his body, and then focus your attention on his ears. If he has long hair, brush the outside of his ears. This will prevent knots from forming that will be difficult to undo later.

Lift your ear and check that there are no spots or ulcers in the outer area. If he has secretions or smells bad, taking him to the vet for supervision will be the best option. If, on the other hand, there is only dust and dirt, you can clean it yourself using a wet wipe, making sure to do it thoroughly and delicately, so as not to scare him.

Let’s go to the eyes. Using gauze moistened with water or a special washing substance, clean the outside of your puppy’s eyes, making sure not to irritate them. If you find that the eyes are irritated and crying, we also recommend that you refer him to the vet. You should clean his eyes several times a day to prevent the hair around him from staining a reddish color.

The Puppy’s First Contact with the World

Persons

Introducing your puppy to other family members or guests is key to their socialization. It lessens his fear of strangers, helping him become a friendlier adult dog.

At first, put his collar and leash on him to prevent him from jumping on people. Give your dog the command to sit and help him stay in that position. This will help you stay calm. Learning commands during the first months is essential for your future training phase.

Pets

Be careful when introducing your new puppy to other pets. If it is an older dog, it is preferable that both are on a leash. Don’t leave them alone together at first. If you are introducing your puppy to a cat, take steps to prevent the cat from running off and running away.

We hope this information has been useful to you. We believe that the most important factor for the health and well-being of your dog is that you take care of it and get involved in its growth. As dog owners, we know the feeling of responsibility that comes with having a canine companion for their entire life, and we realize that you always want to give them the best.