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What to Expect
in Puppy's First 6 Months
When a puppy becomes a new
family member, it's good to know what to expect in the months ahead. That way, you can best provide his nutritional,
socialization, and health-care needs. Below is a sampling of what to expect and what you can do during the time
period for 8 weeks until 6 months.
8-12 Weeks
Physical coordination
and bladder control are improving, but attention span is still short. Three weeks through 12 weeks is
his most critical socialization period, influencing greatly how he will interact as adult. Your pup still sleeps a lot
during the day. By 12 weeks, he'll begin losing puppy teeth.
Your Job: Protect his developing
immune system by staying current on vaccinations. Ask your veterinarian about deworming, heartworm preventives, and
flea and tick control. Take your puppy outside frequently to avoid accidents.
Start basic training: get him
used to a collar, to leash walking, and to coming to you when called. When your puppy obeys a command, give an immediate
reward. Introduce your pup to variety of people, situations, and places. Enroll in a puppy class, if you can.
Let him sleep when he's tired. Begin grooming? Brush is teeth and his coat, handle his mouth and paws, and trim
nails. Feed a quality puppy food - 4 meals a day.
12-16 Weeks
We
explores everything at this stage.
Your Job: Continue basic training; offer rewards and praise for a
good job. Give plenty of toys for chewing, play with him, and offer lots of exercise. Cut feeding to 3 meals
per day.
4-6 Months
This is a period of great physical growth.
Your
Job:Keep socializing your pup, but be gentle with him if he's reluctant or shy. Check his collar as he
grows to make sure it's not too tight. Continue feeding 3 meals a day until 6 months of age. At your puppy
exam, ask your veterinarian about spaying/neutering.
Your time and attention in these critical months pay off when
he becomes a well-behaved, well-adjusted adult.
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~Important Information~
***Many different drugs and drug classes
have been reported to cause problems in Collies and other herding breed dogs that carry the MDR1 mutation.
Aussies and other herding types (Collies, Border Collies,
ACD's and Shelties) can have certain drug sensitivities. Aussies should never be given any of the drugs listed below.
Please note Heartgaurd is on the list and can cause seizures in sensitive aussies. Never give Heartguard to an Aussie,
choose Interceptor instead. Also note not all vets are familiar with this list or the MDR1 mutation. Drugs that have been documented,
or are strongly suspected to cause problems in dogs with the MDR1 mutation: * Ivermectin (antiparasitic agent) "Heartgaurd"
* Loperamide (Imodium®; over-the-counter
antidiarrheal agent)
* Doxorubicin (anticancer agent)
* Vincristine (anticancer agent)
* Vinblastine (anticancer
agent)
* Cyclosporin (immunosuppressive agent)
* Digoxin (heart drug)
* Acepromazine (tranquilizer)
*Butorphanol
(pain control)
For More Information on this:
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