Puppy Development
The following is an estimated time frame
for puppy development:
*Puppies are born 59 – 63 days from
breeding (almost always 59 days from ovulation). The birthing of
the puppies, on average, is 5 hours. It often depends on the number of puppies
born and can take up to 24 hours.
*When puppies are 48 – 72 hours old, they have dew claws surgically removed, tails
are docked in appropriate breeds, and all puppies are checked by the
veterinarian.
*Around 10 day old the puppies’ eyes open, and they start moving around.
*The weaning process is started at 4 weeks. They are introduced to puppy
food. They receive their first deworming at this
point as well. They are totally dependent on their mother and have no distinguishing
personality.
*By
6 weeks of age, the puppies are weaned and no longer see the mom (she
has not wanted to see them other than twice a day to relieve herself of her
milk).
*At
5 – 6 weeks of age, the puppies are taken to the veterinarian for their
fist major check up. Ears, nose, skin, weight, heart, and mouths are checked.
We look for any structural problems parasites in a stool sample, and the pups
get a 4 in 1 vaccination. Also appointments are made
for you to pick out your pup and to take it home.
*Weeks 6 – 8 are a crucial time
for the pups to socialize with their littermates. It is during this time when
the dogs learn proper dog behavior. A pecking order is established, and the
pups are properly shown that they cannot bite, chew, and tackle without
consequences. Puppy play is rough, and they learn more quickly from their
littermates than they do from humans at this point.
|
Updated 7/12/03 |
goldy©2003 |