Day 5

Greenie

Here is the first 9 weeks of puppy growth and development in a nutshell. I will start to explain some of these phases in more depth and tell you what I am doing to support their mental and physical development. I do some early neurological stimulation ( commonly called the "super dog program") If you have any questions please ask!

here is a link to an article by Dr Carmen on Early Neurological Stimulation

http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com/articles/early_neurological_stimulation_en.php

Once the puppies are up and moving around there is a lot that can be done to prepare them for a well balanced life. We will go on field trips to parks and the Seattle University Campus and take individual car rides. They will have 'swimming lessons' with Corsa's Water Therapist (Corsa is my 12 1/2 year old girl) . They will be introduced to more than a dozen surfaces, heard lots of different sounds and met a variety of people and dogs. They be introduced to the clicker, puppy agility equipment and the stairs. They will have several grooming sessions (baths and clippers and toe nails). The list goes on....

As a matter of fact, puppies have already had their toe nails done once! While they are nursing they get to have their toes and feet massaged. While doing this I can gently nip the ends of their sharp little claws with a pair of toe nail clippers. This gets them used to having their feet handled in a calm gentle manner. It also relieves mom from the scratches of very aggressive nursing puppies!

Puppy Growth and Development

Weeks 1-9

Week 1:

90% of time spent sleeping

10% of time spent nursing

Susceptible to heat and cold

Instinctive reflexes: Crawl, Seek warmth, Nurse

Puppies can upright themselves if placed upside down

Puppies need stimulation for urination and defecation

Rapid development of central nervous system

Constant care needed by mom

Weight is DOUBLED by end of the week!

Week 2

Eyes should open around days 8-10

Ears should open around days 13-17

Week 3

Teeth begin to erupt

Puppies stand up and start to walk

Puppies begin to lap liquids

Puppies becoming aware of their environment

Playing begins! with litter mates

Sense of smell continues to develop

Puppies are already beginning to discriminate where to relieve themselves

Week 4

Beginning to eat solid food

Puppies begin to bark, wag tails, bite, paw, bare teeth, growl and chase toys

Can use legs well

Tire easily

Depth perception begins to develop

Week 5

Group activities and sexual play will begin

Dominance order starts to develop

Rapid growth and development

Week 6

Growth and development continues

Mom will start to wean puppies (she will have less interaction for a while)

Week 7

Total hearing and visual capacity

Puppies will investigate EVERYTHING!

Still can't respond to a name

Can begin tiny amounts of time learning to be crate trained

Week 8

First fear period begins

Puppy will start to respond to name

Mom can interact fully with puppies again

Week 9

Puppies develop strong dominant and subordinate behavior among litter mates

They are now quickly learning right from wrong pack behavior

Motor skills improve

Short attention spans

Start to focus attention on people rather than other puppies

Time to start separating litter mates more

House training is more intensified

Week 10

It's clear at this age that puppies are ready build stronger relationships with people....

Time To Go Home!