Do you know how to raise a puppy? I think raising a dog is the hardest job of any pet. Sometimes I thought it was very simple that the image of dogs walking around was too simple. But not really, guys!
Taking care of a healthy puppy is tiring, taking care of its obedient baby is even more tiring. I have struggled many times not knowing how to raise a puppy in the right way. Then also try to find out how to keep the dog from dying. I believe that is the question and wish of anyone when raising a dog for the first time.
Today I would like to share my experience and a little knowledge for your reference.
1. What characteristics do puppies have? Need to understand before raising
The first step in how to raise a puppy is to learn the characteristics of the puppy first. I always say that newborn puppies are no different from babies. They look so weak and pitiful. If this stage is not well taken care of, it will get sick and die at any time. At least you need to let it live and be healthy first. Then think about training.
In the first months, specifically dogs under 4 months old, you need a meticulous and careful care regimen. At this stage, the puppy has already started to itch. So you need to help your puppy in a few ways. Do not keep plastic or iron sticks, which are generally fragile, near it. It will gnaw on all of that and then swallow it. You will never know!
A puppy’s digestive system is immature. Such hard objects can cause intestinal perforation or poor digestion. At this point, you just throw it 1 tube bone is okay. It has both a tooth grinder and a play and is safe.
By the time the puppy is 5 months old, it has already entered the adult stage. Now is the right time to teach it to be obedient! When entering adulthood, the puppy’s nutrition also needs more attention so that it grows up healthy.
>> Read more: Paw.com Review – The Best Orthopedic Bed For Your Dog
2. How to Raise a Puppy – Tips For Raising A Healthy Puppy
At each age, you need a different way of taking care of your puppy. But in general, every stage needs to be meticulous and careful. In addition, you need to be equipped with knowledge about nutrition and how to prevent and treat diseases for dogs. Here’re some tips for raising a healthy puppy.
Prepare a living environment for newborn puppies
The environment outside with a newborn puppy is extremely harsh. No longer protected, no longer self-sufficient, the temperature, the humidity, the air was so different. Overall it struggles a lot to stay alive.
The temperature of the puppies in the womb is already low, when out in the environment, it is even lower. Therefore, during the first 15 days, attention should be paid to keeping them warm with straw and old clothes. They will be able to fix their body temperature of 34.5 to 36 degrees, and they will not die from the cold anymore.
As far as I know, in the first week, dogs often die from cold. So be careful to keep it warm so it can survive!
In addition to the haystack, old clothes, you can light a lamp to warm it up. In the first week, 40W lights should be used near the drive. You should pay attention to observe the puppy’s actions. If it is cold, they will gather together to keep warm. When the temperature is warm, they will spread out to find a place to sleep. But also need to be careful if it’s too hot, it will be uncomfortable!
How to Raise a Puppy – Stages of puppy development
You need to pay attention to the time of each stage of the puppy to take the most appropriate care.
How To Care For Newborn Puppies
Usually 9 to 13 days after birth, puppies begin to open their eyes. It can’t be heard until 13 to 17 days after birth.
In general, after 14 days, she can hear and see normally. It may also be delayed by a few days depending on the condition of the dog. This is also when its baby teeth begin to erupt. You feed it solid food at this stage always. Its food is milk and thin porridge.
Gradually the puppy’s vision becomes clearer. It was also able to stand on all fours and walk more confidently. However, sometimes it will still fall because it is not used to it. Like a hyperactive child, it will latch on to anything. Just buy him a soft ball to suck on and play.
At 6 weeks old, puppies can express emotions with their faces and ears! That means it has grown up and can control its emotions. You need to separate for it to eat on its own. It’s no longer milk or porridge, it’s time for it to be served with mushy rice.
Also, sometimes you give it a snack with ready-made food. At this stage, the mother dog will no longer be too meticulous with feeding her baby. Because its baby teeth are already stronger and sharper. You need to pay attention to the time when the dog’s body is healthy to give it the first vaccination!
In general, after 6 weeks and up to 19 weeks, his teeth are complete like an adult dog. After the first injection at 6 weeks, the second dose will be given at 10 weeks. Almost all puppies have been weaned at this time. If you talk a lot, take care of it, it’s quite attached!
The puppy stage is 3-15 months old
When dogs are teething, they begin to bite everything because of itchy gums. By this time, the dog is usually 12 weeks to 15 months old. You can prepare a few soft toys for it to indulge in. At the same time, you need to teach it not to chew on people’s hands. By and by it will understand it is not allowed.
By the time it turns 6 months old to 18 months old, it has almost learned to be independent. It knows how to mark its territory so that others cannot trespass. This phase is quite painful! You need to help it determine the order of the pack so as not to fight. At the same time, you need to teach it the right place to go to the toilet. If you are not patient, you will be helpless to watch the dog fight and not be able to stop it.
Do not soften or pity them excessively. Knowing how to raise a puppy will make training a lot easier later on.
After 18 months, this can be considered an adult dog. At this time, each dog will have a unique personality. Even so, if you work hard, you can still change its personality. As long as it’s molded before the age of 3, it’s fine.
3. How to properly take care of a puppy
How to raise a puppy is not an easy thing. You need to pay attention to food, nutrition, as well as ways to prevent disease.
How to raise a puppy – Puppy food
Just like newborn babies, the puppy’s body cannot have as strong resistance as the mother dog’s. Therefore, they need a lot of nutrients from breast milk to stay healthy. The mother’s milk will be better than any milk outside.
Milk contains vitamins and amino acids that are most suitable for puppies. The puppy’s immune system will actively absorb and be healthy. Therefore, in the first 4 days, the puppy only clings to the mother’s breast. To avoid infection, you should clean the mother dog’s nipples.
After 4 days, you can give the puppy a little warm milk from time to time. At this time, the puppy cannot drink on its own. So use a syringe to pump it!
On the 10th day, you put the milk on a plate. Puppies can learn to lick themselves. But you can’t give up breast milk because you give your dog warm milk! Breast milk is still essential. Warm milk only needs about 100 to 200ml per day.
Regularly check your puppy’s condition! From their vomiting to their droppings. If it is abnormal, take it to a doctor immediately.
If you’re not sure what nutrition is right for your puppy, you can purchase nutritious food from Cali Raw. You can also read our Cali Raw review to find more information about this store.
Nutrition for puppies from 1 month old
When the dog is 1 month old, you can give porridge to eat diluted porridge. Now its digestion is adapted to such liquid foods.
Occasionally cook bone broth or minced meat porridge for it to eat healthily. Practice little by little. 1-2 small bowls per day, then gradually increase. The puppy is still nursing at this time.
So you can use formula milk and some of the snacks your puppy likes to help him with weaning. If you’re not sure your puppy is getting enough nutrition, it’s best to weigh them regularly. If it is underweight, it needs to be supplemented with nutrients.
When puppies are 2-3 months old, the digestive system is generally healthier. At this time, in addition to normal food, sometimes you give it fish, eggs, and vegetables to get enough nutrients and keep it from being picky.
Still keep a moderate amount of food available, but do not give the puppy a lot of food. Foods that are too greasy or salty, raw fish should not be fed to it. Pig liver or lung, in general, the internal organs should also be removed!
When the puppy is 4 months old, you start to divide the meal of the day. It used to be 2-3 meals, now it’s 4-6. Even though they are older and healthier, the food still needs to be cooked and cooked. Because otherwise, it will easily get diarrhea.
Nutrition for puppies from 6 months old
By 6 months of age, the dog has generally begun to mature. The amount of food you adjust to increase gradually. The number of meals is also gradually reduced. Just 2-3 meals a day. But don’t be too greedy to feed it too much at once!
At this stage, puppies are very fond of biting. So you need to keep an eye on it often so that he doesn’t eat plastic! Because it can perforate the intestines or cause severe gastrointestinal inflammation. It’s best to put the item away from its play area. You can give it a fake bone to chew on.
The food you eat every meal you put on a plate for the puppy. But water is always needed. After drinking water, the dog will pee. The amount of urine depends on the amount of water given. Take it to the restroom so it gets used to it!
4. How do puppies grow up fast?
At the time of suckling, the puppies can be very healthy, but after weaning, many puppies get sick or even die! So now you need to pay more attention to it. From daily habits to proper nutrition.
When feeding, practice feeding it on time, at the right meal. At the same time, you need to increase the amount of protein-rich foods. Thus, the puppy will have a good immune system and resistance.
When you see a puppy refusing to eat, you need to pay special attention. Because it may be having a big health problem! The food for it needs to be just enough and suitable. If you choose the wrong food and nutrition, the puppy will not be able to digest it and lead to anorexia and weight loss. If the condition does not resolve, take it to the doctor.
5. Prevent diseases for your puppy
After about 6 weeks, you can have your puppy vaccinated. But it should not be more than 9 weeks old!
When you go for the first vaccination, you should always deworm your puppy! In addition to making it healthier, it also helps you avoid many risks!
You can learn more CBD dog products to prevent some diseases like stress & anxiety, joint & mobility care, and even heart & immune care.
4 to 5 weeks after the first dose, you should give it another rabies shot. These shots need to be done 16 weeks before to ensure the most effective. Dog litter also needs regular cleaning. Keep the dog’s place clean and dry to keep the puppy healthy.
If you have free time, take it for a walk and teach your puppy how to recognize the world around him. Teach it as early as possible. A few short walks a day, the puppy will learn a lot of interesting things!
Why do I suggest you have her go for walks more. Because at 7 to 16 weeks old is a good time to train as well as for puppies to make new friends.
I know that many people feel confused when dealing with their furry friends who have health problems. If you are one of them, don’t worry. Visit HomeoAnimal – your trusted shop for pet remedies. Moreover, this is the place where you can get free advice from specialists to properly treat your pet.
6. How To Bath Your Puppy
Although knowing a dog with clean, fragrant coat will be more interesting than a dirty, smelly dog. But don’t let that make them bathe too soon! Under 6 weeks of age, the bathing work should be given to the mother dog. We just need to take care of them enough to eat and drink. Because if the puppy is bathed too soon, it is easy to catch a cold. However, his body is still weak right now. When the puppy is 10 or 12 weeks old, start giving it a bath.
Not every dog naturally loves bathing. You need to get it used to the dry bath first. After getting used to it, I started to expose her to bath water. When everything is natural, it is not afraid anymore, it can take a bath.
Dog fur and skin also come in different varieties. So you need to carefully consider the right shower gel for your puppy. Choosing a shower gel that is too detergent will dry out its skin, creating an opportunity for bacteria and parasites to grow. You should choose a mild shower gel to both clean and care for its skin and fur.
You need to prepare a towel, a few toys before bathing the puppy. Drop the toy in the pot to make it happy, not disturbed when bathing. After bathing the puppy, cover it with a towel and then use a hairdryer to dry it. Dry at a warm enough temperature until its fur is completely dry.
To Sum It Up
So I finished the tutorial on how to raise a puppy! This work takes a lot of time and effort. So make sure you have both with infinite dog love!