Puppies are adorable creatures that come in different colors and patterns. They have a warm, fuzzy, downy personality, and are extremely playful. They are social animals that enjoy interaction with people. If you are planning to get a puppy for your family, it is important to know what to look for in order to get your new pet the best possible health and temperament.
First of all, you must know that puppies vary greatly in size, from about twelve weeks to six months. Some puppies will be very small, weighing only a few ounces. Others will be larger, nearing one and a half pounds. All healthy puppies grow rapidly after birth, sometimes reaching full size in just a few weeks. However, because puppies depend on their mother for everything from food to warmth, they may become overweight as they get older. A well-nourished puppy will have lively puppies that love to play and run around.
Socialization is one of the most important steps in getting the right puppy for your family. After birth, puppies stay in the holding area of the breeder for their first few weeks of life. During this time, they should be observed by a professional and treated gently. You can introduce your family members gradually, keeping in mind the personality of each one so that no one becomes overwhelmed and hurts himself or herself. When you introduce other people into the puppies’ holding area, take special care to avoid hitting or slapping them. This can have a negative net effect and cause puppies to become withdrawn and less sociable later on.
After the initial introduction phase, you can start to introduce different members of your family to the puppies. Puppies should be introduced slowly to keep from overwhelming them. By six weeks of age, you can begin to hand feed your puppies but keep in mind that some breeds need to be hand fed more than others. If you notice signs of aggression towards other animals and people, you may want to start slow with hand feeding.
You may want to try a starter dog diet before introducing other dogs to the puppy. Many breeders offer puppy formulas to help owners start off with a healthy diet for their puppies. These diets often include a lot of protein and good fats to help prevent obesity in the puppies. You can introduce two-week-old puppies to the starter diet for approximately twenty to forty minutes, twice a day.
Be patient and have fun with your new puppy. Most pets respond well to being handled by their owner, so you should never feel like you are trying to train your puppy when it is only two weeks old. They will learn what behavior is appropriate and what behavior is not. Soon enough, you will have a great friend that loves you unconditionally and will always be around to protect your family. Have fun with your new fur-baby!