Puppies

Important information and detailed instructions on how to care for puppies

Raising a puppies is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also requires careful preparation and a great deal of responsibility. This article will provide you with essential information to help you raise your beautiful little 4-legged friend healthy, happy and obedient.

What is the definition of puppy?

Puppies are considered puppies from birth to 12 months of age. However, puppy development can be divided into smaller stages with distinct characteristics:

During the period from 0 to 2 months of age, puppies depend entirely on mother’s milk for nourishment. This is also the time when puppies begin to learn how to walk, communicate with their surroundings and participate in play activities, helping them develop basic social skills.

When puppies reach 2 to 4 months of age, they begin the process of gradually transitioning from milk to kibble. During this stage, they also begin to learn basic skills such as going to the toilet properly, which is an important part of toilet training.

Next, between 4 and 6 months of age, puppies go through a period of rapid development. During this time, they begin to go through the process of changing their teeth, along with learning simple commands like “sit,” “lie down,” and “come here.” This is an important stage to begin foundation training

Finally, between 6 and 12 months of age, puppies enter puberty, showing both motor and personality development. During this period, it is important to continue training and create a positive living environment for your puppy, helping them to develop properly and become loving and loyal companions.

How to raise puppies depends on the stage

Raising a puppy is not only a journey of care but also a process of cultivating friendship and connection. Mastering appropriate care for each stage of development will help you accompany your little friend effectively and lovingly.

Stage 1: Welcome the first steps (0 – 2 months old)

During this period, just do the following well:

• Focus on feeding puppies with breast milk or formula specifically for puppies, ensuring adequate nutrition for the early stages of development.
• Keep warm with a soft bedding, placed in a quiet place, away from drafts and noise.
• Create a safe living environment, limit the risk of falling, impact or contact with dangerous objects.

Can do some basic training operations such as:

• Begin potty training by using a litter box or taking your dog out at regular times.
• Teach your dog to get used to wearing a collar and leash to prepare for its first steps on walks.

Stage 2: Explore the new world (2 – 4 months old)

When your puppy is over 2 months old, you can change its diet as follows:

• Add soft foods to your diet, divided into many small meals for easy digestion.
• Choose weaning food appropriate to your puppy’s age and nutritional needs.

Stimulate movement and develop dog intelligence with activities:

• Take your puppy for short walks every day to improve health and fitness.
• Start training basic commands like “sit”, “lie down”, “come here” using positive training methods.
• Let your puppy play with appropriate toys to stimulate his brain and develop communication skills.

Stage 3: Steadily growing up (4 – 6 months old)

Create an adequate nutritional level, suitable for the dog’s development ability.

• Feed puppies specific dog food according to their age, ensuring adequate nutrition for their strong development period.
• Divide the diet into 3 – 4 meals per day for best absorption by puppies.

Enhance advocacy and training:

• Increase exercise time and intensity appropriate to age and energy.
• Continue training advanced commands such as “shake hands”, “stay”, “roll”.
• Teach your puppy simple games to enhance bonding and train intelligence.

Stage 4: Entering adulthood (6 – 12 months old)

Provides abundant energy with meals for adult dogs

• Switch to feeding your dog food for adult dogs, ensuring adequate nutrition for complete development.
• Maintain a scientific diet, divided into 2 meals per day.

Create more physical and skill training processes:

• Maintain an exercise regimen appropriate to your dog’s breed and activity level.
• Train puppies with advanced skills such as following the owner closely and overcoming obstacles.
• Participate in professional training activities to develop your dog’s maximum potential.

The most detailed way to train small puppies

Puppy training is a fun and rewarding journey that will help you build a strong bond with your four-legged friend. Applying effective training methods will contribute to forming a good personality, while creating obedience and discipline for your little friend.

Prepare before training

You need to learn and clearly identify the following factors before deciding to raise and train your dog at home:

• Determine training goals: What actions do you want your puppy to perform?
• Choose the right training method: Use positive training methods based on rewards and behavioral reinforcement.
• Prepare necessary training tools: Lead, collar, snacks, toys,…

Obey the rules

The golden rules in training small dogs to remember are:

• Patience: Puppy training requires patience and time. Don’t be impatient or frustrated when your dog doesn’t comply with requests.
• Positive: Use praise and treats to encourage your puppy’s good behavior. Avoid scolding or punishing as this can frighten the puppy and affect the effectiveness of training.
• Consistency: Use consistent commands and maintain a regular practice routine so your four-legged friend will easily remember.
• Short and clear: Use short, clear, and easy-to-understand commands to make your request easy to understand.
• End on a happy note: Always end the training session with a positive experience so your puppy feels excited and looks forward to the next sessions.

Some basic lessons

Before going to the advanced level, learn and teach your dog the following introductory lessons:

• Going to the toilet in the right place: Teaching your puppy to go to the toilet in the right place is the first and most important lesson. Use a litter box or take your puppy out at regular times to form good habits.
• Sit: Teach your puppy the “sit” command by using treats to lure him into a sitting position. Praise and reward your puppy when they do it right.
• Lying down: Similar to “sit” training, use treats to lure your puppy into a lying position. Praise and reward your puppy when they do it right.
• Come here: Teach your puppy the “come here” command by calling his name and waving his hand. When your puppy runs to you, praise and reward him.
• Handshake: Teach your puppy to shake hands by grabbing their paw and chanting “handshake.” Praise and reward your puppy when they do it right.

Some note

Here are a few important things to remember to make the process of teaching skills to your puppy more effective and easier:

• Training time: Each training session should last 10-15 minutes so the puppy does not get bored or distracted.
• Training location: Choose a quiet place with little noise so your puppy can concentrate better.
• Puppy’s condition: Puppies should not be trained when they are tired, hungry or thirsty.
• Observe and adjust: Always observe your puppy’s body language to adjust training methods accordingly.

Answers to common problems that owners encounter when raising puppies

Dogbreed share the content below will answer some common problems when raising puppies, helping you take better care of your four-legged friend.

Why do puppies scream at night?

There are many reasons why puppies cry at night, including:

• Anxiety and fear: A new puppy coming home may feel anxious and fearful in his new environment. Spend time playing with your puppy before bed to help him relax and feel safe.
• Need to go to the toilet: Young dogs cannot control their bladder as well as adult dogs. Take your dog to the bathroom before bed and place the litter box near their sleeping area.
• Hungry or thirsty: Small puppies need to be fed milk or eat food regularly. Make sure your dog gets enough milk or feed them before bed.
• Pain or discomfort: Puppies may experience pain or discomfort due to health problems such as teething, bloating, or insect bites. If you suspect your child is sick, take them to the vet to be examined.

Why do puppies sleep a lot?

Newborn puppies need lots of sleep to develop their bodies and brains. Sleep helps puppies strengthen their immune system, develop their nervous system and restore energy. On average, small dogs need to sleep 18 to 20 hours a day.

Are puppies rabid?

Small puppies can absolutely get rabies if they are not fully vaccinated. Rabies is a dangerous and potentially fatal disease for both humans and dogs. Take your dog to the veterinarian for vaccination according to the recommended schedule. Rabies vaccination schedule for them usually starts at 6 to 8 weeks of age and is repeated every 3 to 4 weeks.

Conclude

Raising a puppy is a journey full of love and responsibility. Hopefully this article has provided you with useful knowledge and information so you can take good care of your dog. Take time, care and love to help your puppy grow healthy, obedient and become your wonderful companion.