Puppy Development

Puppy development is right on schedule, they are eating a puppy gruel in the mornings, their eye teeth are in and momma is not interested in nursing them for very long at a time.  Their personalities are distinctive enough to know which puppy they are, but there's always the growth splurt that can throw off even the me.

Week Three (Days 15-21)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

• Teeth begin to erupt
• Puppies stand up and start walking
• Begin to lap liquids
• Defecate/urinate without stimulation
• Start becoming aware of their environment
• Start playing with littermates, rolling around chewing on each other
• Develop sense of smell, they can locate momma by smell
• Puppies will start to discriminate as to where to relieve themselves

CARE OF THE PUPPIES

• Start adding stimuli (toys) to puppies' life
• Start giving specific stresses when handling (i.e.. pinch an ear or toe gently).
• Start giving puppy mush daily, then increase as weaning from dam
• Weigh puppies 2-3 week
• Give puppies a dirty shirt of yours to play with
• Start weekly grooming sessions (brush, trim nails, look at teeth, etc.)

TO DO LIST

• Purchase milk replacer to feed puppies