Information on Puppies From Newborn to 6 Months

Most dog mothers will do almost everything necessary to care for their puppies from birth to weaning. There are, however, certain things you should watch for to ensure that the newborn puppies are healthy and thriving. Once the puppies are weaned, you will step in to ensure they are growing and developing, and to provide socialization and training.

  1. Newborn Puppies

    • Puppies will nurse every 2 to 3 hours starting almost immediately after birth. Handle the puppies as little as possible for the first 3 to 4 weeks, but look in on them frequently to ensure that they are nursing with enthusiasm; contact your veterinarian if you see that any puppies are not. A puppy's eyes will open 10 to 14 days after birth; this is when they will begin to move around and explore their environment. Take your puppies to see a veterinarian once their eyes are open. Your vet will examine each puppy and advise you about vaccines.

    Socialization

    • Socialization is critical to make sure that puppies develop into confident adult dogs that enjoy people and other animals. Begin socializing the puppies from the time they are born by going about a normal household; run your vacuum cleaner, watch television, have lively conversations, and allow children to play in the vicinity of the puppies. Then start handling the puppies several times a day when they reach 4 weeks; carefully supervise children and make sure they only hold the puppies when an adult is present to help them.

    Weaning

    • Weaning usually happens naturally when the puppies are around 5 to 6 weeks old. By this age the puppies will be able to eat dry dog food, and the mother will be reacting negatively to the puppies' sharp teeth and nails. You can aid in the weaning process by separating the mother and puppies for increasing periods of time each day until they are together only at night. Begin feeding the puppies a high-quality dry puppy food three to five times a day. Weaning usually takes about a week.

    Housebreaking

    • Most puppies are adopted once they're weaned, but if you have puppies left or have decided to keep one or more, you should begin housebreaking. Take your puppy outside when it wakes up in the morning, 15 to 30 minutes after eating, just before bedtime, and every 2 to 3 hours in between. Also watch for visual cues like sniffing and turning in a circle. Choose a key phrase, such as "let's go outside," and use it repeatedly when you take your puppy out, and then give it a treat immediately after it eliminates. Put your puppy in a crate at night and when you cannot closely supervise it.

    Obedience Training

    • A puppy should be enrolled in obedience training as early as possible, but no later than 12 weeks of age. Obedience training is a perfect opportunity to expand a puppy's socialization to include other dogs. Make your puppy perform a simple command, such as "sit" or "stay," before giving it food, water, treats, toys or affection. This will send the clear message that you are the pack leader.