The First 8 Weeks of a Puppies Life

The First 8 Weeks of a Puppy's Life with the Breeder

When bringing a new puppy into your home, it's important to understand the crucial role that the breeder plays in the first 8 weeks of the puppy's life. This is a critical period of development that sets the foundation for the puppy's future well-being and behavior.

Week 1: The Beginning of Life

During the first week, the puppy is still with its mother and littermates. This is a time of bonding and learning important social skills. I will ensure that the puppies are kept warm, fed, and receive regular check-ups to monitor their health. It is during this time that I will also begin the process of early neurological stimulation, which helps to improve the puppy's overall health and resilience. This starts at 3 days old and lasts until 16 days old.

Week 2-4: Exploring the World

As the puppies grow, they become more curious and start to explore their surroundings. I will provide a safe and stimulating environment for the puppies to play and interact with each other. This is also the time when they will begin to transition from nursing to eating solid food - typically around 4 weeks of age. I feed our puppies Purina Pro Plan Chicken and Rice for Puppies. I start by grinding the puppy food and mixing it with water to create a soup-like consistency. Puppies will start with 1 meal day and eventually work up to solid kibble 3 times a day.

Week 5-8: Socialization and Training

During this crucial period, I play a vital role in socializing the puppies and exposing them to different experiences. I will introduce the puppies to various sounds, sights, and smells to help them become well-adjusted and confident. Additionally, I will start the process of housebreaking the puppies, teaching them to eliminate in a designated area. This helps to establish good bathroom habits and makes potty training easier for the new owners.

At 6 weeks of age, the puppies will be taken to our nearby veterinarian office for their first visit. They will receive a comprehensive checkup to ensure they are healthy and developing properly. Additionally, they will be administered their third dose of dewormer medication and their first vaccine. Lastly, an AKC microchip will be implanted in each puppy, providing a unique identification number that can be scanned if they ever get lost.

Preparing for the Transition

Before puppies go home with their family, I will provide the new owners with important information about the puppy's health, diet, and care instructions.