There is nothing in the world quite like having a wriggly, silly, furry new family member. Puppies steal our hearts from day one and never let go.
As their new guardians, it’s our responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which they will go on to lead long, happy, healthy lives. Familiarizing yourself with how puppies develop and progress in their learning will help clarify your expectations and set you both up for success.
Vaccines
Every puppy requires a series of core vaccines to ensure they stay healthy during the critical period when the immune system is developing. These are administered every 3-4 weeks starting at 8 weeks old, then again at 12 weeks old, and finally at 16 weeks old.
Talk to your veterinarian about vaccine protocol and which vaccines he or she recommends for your new kiddo.
Preventives
At 8 weeks old, your fuzz ball is old enough to start monthly flea, tick and heartworm prevention. These medications are administered monthly, year-round, for the rest of your dog’s life. They are critical in protecting your new friend from life-threatening diseases.
Most products are dosed by weight, so as your puppy grows the dose might change. Your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate products and doses.
At your puppy’s one-year check-up, he or she will begin having an annual blood test that checks for heartworm, Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. While monthly preventives work exceptionally well, testing every year is strongly recommended for ultimate protection.
Sleeping & House Training
It’s the number one question plaguing red-eyed puppy parents everywhere: “When will he sleep through the night?!” Which brings us to the second-most popular: “When will he be house-trained?!”
Every dog is an individual, so there are no hard and fast timeframes for sleeping 8 hours or “going potty” successfully every time. Much of this stage of development in puppies depends on our patience and commitment to routine.
Sleeping through the night is frequently dependent on whether your puppy wakes up and has to go to the bathroom, or wakes up and realizes he is alone. As puppies age and learn a solid housetraining routine, they will develop improved bladder and bowel control.
Most puppies start sleeping through the night, at least 6-7 hours, between 12 and 16 weeks old. There are always exceptions, but this is usually due to human error, or a breakdown in training consistency. It can be corrected by going “back to basics” and re-establishing a strong bathroom routine.
Once your new family member has grown accustomed to his surroundings and bonded with you, he’s much less likely to wake up in the night and feel insecure. Give your new puppy a couple weeks to settle in and realize, “I am safe here with my family.”
Basic Training
You can start working on basic training soon after bringing your four-legged companion home. Puppies are smart little sponges and want to soak up everything they can.
Following completion of core vaccines at 16 weeks old, most puppies are eligible for puppy classes. These are great for socialization and play. Continued professional training helps solidify basic commands, introduces new skills and may address behavioral issues.
Grooming
It’s never too soon to start bathing, brushing and grooming your new friend. Always use a gentle, puppy-safe shampoo, preferably tearless, and monitor for drying or other irritation. You can bathe up to once a week, or as needed.
Talk to your veterinarian about how to clean ears, trim toenails and brush teeth. Start early so that you can establish a hygiene routine and get your puppy used to having his face and feet touched.
Dogs with continuously growing hair, such as Poodles and many toy breeds, require grooming every 6-8 weeks for life. Start by getting puppies used to daily brushing and find a trusted groomer who can trim the face, feet and body. Start after your puppy has completed his or her full round of core vaccines, at 16 weeks old.
Teething & Chewing
Tiny bites on your hands, arms and coffee table are a rite of passage for all new puppy parents. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and when teething, nothing is quite as comforting as furniture.
Baby teeth start to fall out around 14-16 weeks old and are replaced by adult teeth. The progression is similar to developing human teeth: top and bottom incisors come out first, followed by canines, pre-molars and molars. Puppies usually swallow baby teeth, but occasionally you’ll find a tiny tooth on the floor.
By 6-7 months old, all puppies should have a complete set of adult teeth.
Growth
Depending on your puppy’s breed, growth rates will vary. All puppies should gain a little weight every week until reaching maturity. A Great Dane puppy will grow faster than a Chihuahua, and a large breed puppy can continue growing up to 18 months old. Most toy and small breed dogs finish growing by about 6 months old, and medium breed dogs are somewhere in the middle, finishing their development between 6-12 months of age.
Paw size and breed standard is not always predictive of weight and height. Parent size can be predictive; however, dogs hailing from a variety of backgrounds may have that little something special mixed in, such as Irish Wolfhound, and can surprise you.
Spaying & Neutering
There are millions of homeless and unwanted pets, all deserving of the same loving home you are providing for your new companion. We can all do our part to decrease the number of irresponsible breedings each year by spaying and neutering our furry friends. Not only does this help with animal overpopulation, but spaying and neutering can also eliminate a number of significant health risks.
For most dogs, spaying and neutering is recommended at 6 months old, though some shelter animals may be “fixed” at an earlier age.
Making the Most of Milestones
These are just a handful of milestones you and your new furry BFF will encounter as you navigate through puppyhood. Knowing what to expect and when can help you both set and attain realistic goals.
Always remember, however, that your new puppy is unique, and not every dog reads the textbook. Be patient, be kind and grant yourself and your new companion some grace. You’re in for a rewarding and heartwarming journey. Treasure every moment, even the ones involving new couch cushions.