Puppies at this age are keen to explore the world around them. It’s essential to encourage this exploration with safe and positive experiences.
If puppies are bitten, immediately exit the play area by moving into another room or behind a gate to communicate that biting will not be tolerated. Attending puppy socialization classes will also teach puppies about bite inhibition.
Teething
Teething presents an agonizing ordeal for young canines, constituting a pivotal juncture for their exploration of the surrounding realm. Gnawing serves as their method for comprehending the environment and alleviating their distress, frequently leading to the mastication of inappropriate objects, such as your furnishings, footwear, or even your extremities. This exploration of chewing is a normal part of puppy development. Still, we can help you teach them about appropriate things to chew on and give you expert strategies to survive this phase with your belongings intact!
Puppies can start teething as early as birth, and usually, by two weeks old, they will have all their 28 baby teeth, called incisors. Subsequently, commencing around the age of four months, they will undergo the shedding of these primary teeth, initiating the emergence of their adult molars.
Throughout this transitional phase, your young canine may experience intermittent bouts of diarrhea, a common occurrence. However, it is crucial to remain vigilant for more conspicuous indications, such as the presence of blood in their stool, episodes of vomiting, decreased vitality, and any signs of discomfort in their abdominal region. If any of these symptoms become apparent, it is wise to promptly schedule a consultation with your veterinarian. They can conduct a comprehensive examination to ascertain the well-being of your pup and ensure the teething process is proceeding without complications. They will be able to prescribe medications or a different treatment if needed.
Socialization
Puppies like Cavapoo puppies that are not socialized are missing a vital part of their development. Without proper exposure to coexisting within human and canine society, they are at an increased risk of developing behavioral issues in their adult phase, such as aggression stemming from fear. Effective socialization entails introducing a young pup to the various sights, sounds, and encounters they are expected to come across during their lifetime. This includes people, other animals, and vehicles. Crucial to their development is acquainting them with a diverse array of individuals from varying genders, ethnic backgrounds, and age groups. Equally significant is educating them about other animal species, encompassing felines and rabbits. It is helpful to take them to well-run puppy socialization classes.
It is imperative to prevent overwhelming a young pup with novel encounters and to allow them sufficient time for recuperation between each experience. The critical period for socialization is between 4 and 14 weeks of age. This is called the golden period because a pup’s neurological, sensory, and motor development is at its peak.
A well-socialized puppy will be able to cope with unexpected situations. This will make them much better-behaved and happier pets. It will also reduce their risk of developing health conditions resulting from stress and anxiety, such as Cushing’s Disease, skin problems, and GI upsets.
Tail Wagging
Everyone who interacts with dogs knows the happy feeling that comes over you when a dog bounds up to you and starts wagging its tail in greeting. However, a dog’s tail can be swished in a few different ways, each having meaning.
For example, a fast-paced wag with the tail held up and wagging energetically from side to side can signal that your pup is excited about something. A slow twitch of the seat attached to an unmoving body can indicate nervousness or fear. Finally, if the tail is under or between their legs, they might show submissive behavior or anxiety about something.
Researchers have also discovered that the direction of a dog’s tail wag can convey a lot about their mood and feelings towards people. For instance, if the tail is wagging to the right, it generally indicates positive feelings toward the person they are greeting. Alternatively, if the tail wags more to the left, it means negative emotions.
These findings can be helpful for pet parents when they are trying to decipher their puppy’s body language. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to bear in mind that, even if you observe a similar “tail-wagging pattern” in another dog, it might carry entirely distinct interpretations for your canine companion, as they are distinguished by their breed, range of motion, and life experiences.
Breath
Respiration plays a pivotal role in a puppy’s growth, serving as one of the initial indicators of any potential issues. As young canines embark on their journey through a wide, unfamiliar world, their well-being, emotional equilibrium, and daily routines undergo frequent modifications. These shifts can induce stress, leading to an elevation in a pup’s respiratory rate, particularly during periods of rest.
An initial step to take is to monitor and tally the number of breaths your young pup takes within a minute. Typically, a puppy maintains an average respiratory rate ranging from 15 to 40 breaths per minute, which is notably swifter than that of a full-grown canine.
If your pup is breathing fast while asleep, the most likely cause is that they are dreaming. Puppies live faster during REM sleep by moving their eyes and other body parts to simulate movement. Usually, this is nothing to worry about.
Call your vet immediately if other symptoms like nasal or eye discharge, lethargy, drooling, and low appetite accompany your puppy’s rapid breathing. This could indicate an illness or heart problem, like congenital heart defects or pneumonia.
