Puppies begin absorbing crucial emotional information from birth, influencing their future confidence and resilience. Socialization, essential between 3 to 16 weeks, develops through experiences like touch and environmental interactions. Responsible breeders play a vital role, providing early positive handling and exposure, ensuring puppies grow into emotionally stable dogs for various environments.
Many breeders choose to administer puppy vaccines at home, which can be safe and cost-effective if done correctly. Vaccination requires careful handling, detailed records, and collaboration with a veterinarian. Puppies need a series of vaccines due to maternal antibodies, typically beginning between 6 to 8 weeks, ensuring effective immunization.
Monitoring puppy weight is crucial in the first weeks of life. Healthy puppies should not lose over 10% of their birth weight in 24 hours and should gain 5-10% daily. A digital scale helps track weight changes, signaling the need for intervention if growth stalls. Join a free webinar for more insights.
In the critical first 24 hours after whelping, breeders must ensure each puppy’s survival by clearing airways and stimulating them to breathe. Maintaining warmth, tying off umbilical cords, checking health, and encouraging nursing of colostrum are crucial. Awareness of when to seek veterinary help can transition a struggling puppy into one thriving.