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.
- Teething schedule -
Deciduous Teeth (puppy teeth)
| Incisors | 3-4 weeks |
| Canines | 3 weeks |
| Premolars | 4-12 weeks |
| Molars | None |
Permanent teeth (adult teeth)
| Incisors | 3-5 months |
| Canines | 4-6 months |
| Premolars | 4-6 months |
| Molars | 5-7 months |
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~Recommended Schedule for Dog Vaccination~
A possible vaccination schedule for the "average"
dog is shown below.
| Age | Vaccination |
| 5 weeks | Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk. Check with your veterinarian. |
6 & 9
weeks | Combination vaccine* without leptospirosis. Coronavirus:where coronavirus
is a concern. |
12 weeks
or
older | Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian
(age at vaccination may vary according to local law). |
12
& 15
weeks** | Combination vaccine*
Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if
traveling to an area where it occurs. Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern. Lyme:
where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs. |
| Adult | Combination
vaccine* Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis
is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Rabies:
Given by your local veterinarian (time interval between vaccinations may vary according to local law). |
Consult with your local veterinarian to determine
the appropriate vaccination schedule for your dog. Recommendations vary depending on the age, breed, and health status of
the dog, the potential of the dog to be exposed to the disease, the type of vaccine, whether the dog is used for breeding,
and the geographical area where the dog lives or may visit. *A combination vaccine, often called a 5-way vaccine, usually
includes adenovirus cough and hepatitis, canine distemper, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Some combination vaccines may also
include leptospirosis (7-way vaccines) and/or coronavirus. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in
a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. **Some puppies
may need additional vaccinations against parvovirus after 15 weeks of age. Consult with your local veterinarian. Bordetella
and parainfluenza: For complete canine cough protection, we recommend Intra-Trac III ADT. For dogs that are shown,
in field trials, or are boarded, we recommend vaccination every six to twelve months with Intra-Trac III ADT. |
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I pee, poop, chase, jump, dig, bark, and bite. Assembly
(training) required. Batteries (food) not included. Health care manitory. Yearly Cost: $750 to $3000. Additional Recommendations: I prefer
to sleep in the bedroom with you. Please provide a minimum of 2 hours a day
play, exercise, socialization, and employment. Education must include emotional,
mental, and physical stimulation. Benefits: I will accept you as you are, unconditionally
love you, work with you, grow with you, and together we will form a living, loving bond. ©The
Dog Whisperer - Paul Owens
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Important Information - MDR1 mutation~
***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:
