Understanding a puppy’s stages of development during the first 12 months can help you create a stronger, richer relationship with your new companion. This article addresses what to expect during the first year and provides tips for socialization, housebreaking and other general information.

Birth to 7 Weeks
Puppies develop very quickly during their first weeks. Born with minimal senses intact, puppies can begin to see, hear and smell at about three to five weeks. Using their newly developed senses, they become aware of their environment and begin to interact with their mother, littermates and people. They also begin to wean, and, thanks to newly formed teeth, eat solid food.

At about six weeks, puppies become intensely curious, which is how they learn about the world. Interacting and playing with their littermates enables pups to grow, and to sometimes lead and sometimes follow.

Ages 7 to 9 Weeks
Most puppies are brought home at around eight weeks. To prepare for the addition of your new pup, be sure to “puppy-proof” your home so your curious canine can’t hurt himself during his explorations. Keep him away from household dangers such as electrical wires and outlets, plants, pools, balconies and open doors.

A great way to protect your puppy from getting into dangerous situations when you can’t watch him is by introducing him to a crate. A crate is a smart tool that helps in housebreaking and helps keep him safe. Most dogs love the security of a crate. Because they are descended from animals that live in dens, a crate is a natural shelter for a dog because it has the same characteristics of a den. Your pup will see it as a safe haven. Gently introduce him to the crate by placing it where the family is most active. Put his food, treats and toys inside while leaving the door open to make him understand this is his special place.

Be cautious of socializing your pup outside your home until he has been vaccinated, otherwise he may be susceptible to catching potentially fatal diseases. In most cases, puppies should have three sets of vaccines during their first year. A nursing pup receives antibodies from his mother’s milk that protect him from viruses and diseases. These antibodies begin to dissipate at around seven weeks, leaving the pup (weaned at about five weeks) vulnerable to disease. Therefore, puppies are given their first vaccination at six to eight weeks, with booster vaccines given at 10 to 12 and 14 to 16 weeks; the final booster usually includes a rabies vaccine. Check with your veterinarian about the best vaccine protocol for your puppy.

Because your puppy will grow increasingly curious about his environment, introducing him to new situations is important from the moment you bring him home. Be cautious, however, as introducing a pup to too many new stimuli may be stressful for him. Be sure to praise him when he handles a new situation well.

Walk your pup on different surfaces (carpet, grass, roadways), take him for frequent outings, play games and then pet him gently when he has settled down after a romp. Introduce him slowly to all types of appropriate interactions with people, animals, and new sights, sounds and smells.

At some time during these weeks, your once bold puppy may become cautious. If he reacts in fear to loud sounds or sudden movements, remain calm. Continue to gently introduce him to new situations; for example, when taking him to the vet, keep the experience positive (lots of treats and praise) and short. Avoid becoming overly protective or isolating the pup. Rather, choose activities that can be controlled, taking small steps as you expose him to new experiences. Your pup will eventually return to his confident self. Help him get there by setting a good example-the more relaxed you are, the calmer he will be.

Ages 9 to 12 Weeks
Your puppy can increasingly comprehend basic education, such as housebreaking, leash training, and knowing his name. Such interactions teach him canine manners and which behaviors are appropriate for which times. Reinforcing the pup’s desire to play with you helps him to see you and your family as his family, replacing his mother and littermates.

Housebreaking is a major hurdle for most puppy owners. Remember, prevention and patience are key. Give your pup ample opportunities to “go” outdoors so he doesn’t get into the habit of “going” indoors. A general rule of thumb in housebreaking is to take him outside any time he experiences a significant change of activity-when he wakes from a nap, after vigorous playtime, after he eats or drinks, and when there is an exciting event such as someone visiting your home.

As your puppy grows, he needs to know who is in charge. If no one is telling him what the rules are, he will make up his own rules. Some ways you can get your young pup used to you as his leader include bathing and grooming, putting on and removing a leash, leaving him alone for short periods of time, and, while he’s eating, taking away and then returning his food bowl.

Now is the perfect time to start an in-home training program or take your pet to “puppy kindergarten” to allow him to socialize with other dogs and people in a safe, controlled environment. Your pup will enjoy playing with other puppies of similar age while getting a start on basic obedience training. By training and socializing him in a controlled, positive environment, you can mitigate potential behavioral issues in the future.

Ages 13 to 16 weeks
Let the teething begin! Now your pup will start to chew on anything available, including you-which should always be discouraged. When your puppy tries to chew on you, have a toy nearby to put into his mouth and praise him when he takes it. As with a teething baby, providing frozen chew toys helps to sooth your pet’s aching gums.

Increasingly, your pup will need strong leadership from you so he always knows that the people in your home are the pack leaders. Further challenges at this age occur when your puppy shows increased independence and stubbornness.

Keep learning fun for your pup because he’ll learn more if he enjoys his lessons. Try to keep training sessions to about 15 minutes at a time. If you or he get frustrated (remember, he is a puppy!), just stop, play a game, and then try again with an abbreviated lesson followed by lots of praise.

Always give clear, consistent commands. This ensures your pup will readily make the connection between your command and what you want him to do.

Aged 16 to 24 Weeks
This is a time of rapid growth for puppies. If you have a highly energetic pup, it may seem natural to exercise him as much as possible. However, don’t overdo it-his developing bones and muscles aren’t ready to take the strain, especially in larger dog breeds.

Because he is developing an increased sense of social structure, he may test his boundaries to determine his ranking in the family order, including the possibility of trying to assert himself over children.

At this age, too, hormones begin to take over, making your pup’s sexual behavior quite noticeable. Thus, this is a good time to have the puppy spayed or neutered. Spay/neuter surgery not only reduces unwanted litters of puppies, but actually ensures a healthier life for your dog, including decreased risk of mammary and testicular cancer and less likelihood of your dog running away. Consult with your veterinarian about spay/neuter surgery for your pup.

Aged 6 to 12 Months
Now your puppy is an adolescent, exuberant and full of life. While he may have developed into an adult-sized dog, however, he is still a puppy and thus continues to need consistent guidance. To corral his energy and curiosity, consider expanding his activities to include agility or just a good game of fetch. Introduce him to more people and dogs at area parks or walking trails.

Your continued efforts with socialization and training, supported by lots of affection, will ensure your once tiny puppy matures into a loyal, loving companion for many happy years ahead.

The post What to Expect During Your Puppy’s First Year first appeared on Puppy Blog.

When and How Do I Train My Puppy?

Anyone who has ever had a dog knows that training a new puppy is a challenge, but essential. With any new dog, puppy training starts the day that you bring your new pet home and continues for months as they continue to learn the basics becoming a part of the family. By the time you bring your new puppy home they are ready to learn. In fact, puppies can be trained from a very early age as long as we don’t expect too much of them right away. By natural design the mother dog has been educating her litter for several weeks, preparing them to survive on their own. By seven weeks the puppy’s development allows him to leave the mother and ensures the strongest human ties and best socialization possible. Older puppies may be less inclined to attach to humans right away, but eventually with love and affection and our constant interaction the bond will be just as strong. No matter what age you bring your puppy home, the important thing to remember is that they are ready to learn, they just need patience and practice!

Dog training at this early stage will focus on the essentials; house training, chewing, digging, jumping, and learning to wear a collar and walk on a leash. The most important thing to remember about training your puppy is that you are creating boundaries and establishing house rules that will be in place for a lifetime, making your time together the best possible. The groundwork you lay today will allow you to have a wonderful, productive relationship with your dog every day.

Responding To His/Her Name:

The first place to start training is to begin training your puppy to respond to his name being called. You can begin by calling the puppy’s name as you feed him his meals so that the puppy starts to associate his or her name with his food- a good thing! After a few days you can change the order, so that you call his name, wait for him to look at you, and then give him a treat. Once he’s responding on a regular basis, you can phase out the treats, using your voice (good puppy!) and your and petting to praise him and let him know that you are pleased with him. Treats can still be used on an unpredictable schedule as a reward, but the puppy is responding to your voice and praise more than looking for his payment of the food or treats. Having your dog recognize his name and respond by looking at you will prepare him for dog obedience, puppy training classes and more!

House Training

On his first day in your home you should begin house training your puppy. Most people are surprised, but house training is one of the easiest things to teach a dog. Because dogs are clean by nature and do not want to soil their ‘den’, it can be particularly useful to use the crate method of house training. The first thing to keep in mind with house training is that you must supervise your puppy closely and give the pup the chance to go outside when he has to relieve herself.

Young puppies are not ready to have full access to your whole house, it will overwhelm and either intimidate or over-excite them. One of the biggest pitfalls in house training fails is when people allow their puppy more freedom than he can handle within the home and don’t supervise his initial experiences going potty outside. It is important for owners to set aside time to take the new puppy out, watch them go and bring them back in so that the puppy begins to understand how you want them to handle their natural urges. We can give a general outline of what you can need to do to maximize house training, remember that you should always consult a professional trainer to guide you through the process.

]]>

Method One: Crate Training

You can tap into the puppy’s natural desire to be clean and not soil the area in which he sleeps by using a crate. Using a crate to replicate the safe, secure “den” environment can aid your house training efforts, as long as he is given the opportunity to get out of his crate when necessary.

After hooking the puppy to a leash, let him out from the dog crate and take him out to the area, the backyard, a nearby park or green space, where you want him to ‘go’ or ‘eliminate’. If he goes, praise him. If he does not then put him back into his crate and try again in about 15 minutes or so. Continue with this dog training cycle, building a routine for you and your dog. If an outing is successful, then you can allow the pup some freedom for twenty minutes or so and you can gradually extended the time as he grows older and more reliable about not having accidents in the house. Remember a seven-week-old puppy does not have a great deal of bladder control, so accidents are nearly impossible to avoid completely. You can not expect the puppy to go more than a few hours without having to eliminate, and don’t expect him to wait once he is out of his crate to go, instead take him straight outside to avoid any problems.

Before taking your puppy out for the first time, decide what word or phrase you would like to associate with his behavior or action that you desire. In the beginning, the puppy won’t understand the word, but if you use “hurry up”, or “go potty” and continue to repeat the phrase until he goes, praising him/her when it happens, your puppy will learn to associate these words with the action. Later, when in a hurry or inclement weather you can use the cue word to get your dog to relieve himself in quick time, without having to wait in the scorching sun, or freezing rain.

Method Two: Crate Training with Doggy Door

Another, and many say easier, method for house training is to use a crate with a dog door and an enclosed dog run. First, you position the dog crate against the dog door which will allow the dog to go out whenever he needs. Because his small size, the dog door may need to be taped or otherwise rigged up so the puppy can comfortably go through the dog door. With the crate set up to the dog door, your puppy learns quickly to let himself out of his containment area to relieve himself. This method also helps him develop some independence always having his human to watch over him. One important thing to consider with this system is that when you first let your puppy out of his crate, you should still take your puppy immediately to the outside area so that he can go. Even though your crate has access to the outside, puppy may have been resting and not recently “emptied out.” It won’t take much excitement or physical movement for the puppies need to “go” to be present and we don’t want mistakes that could easily have been prevented.

When the pup isn’t in his crate, you need to use constant supervision to keep him from having accidents. The best way to have a constant eye on your puppy is to literally tie or tether the pup to your waist with a leash or line, or you can tether him to a piece of furniture, but be sure that he has no more than three feet of freedom in any direction. Remember that a puppy tethered to furniture should be watched carefully or he may chew it. Crating, supervising and tethering are examples of management systems used to support the dog until he is fully trained.

Because dogs are inherently pack animals, they prefer to be with us rather than to be alone. Most cases of adult “separation anxiety” would never develop if the dog, as a puppy, had been trained in the one of the management systems just described because early on the puppy would learn to deal with being alone, handling is own needs, without access to chew or destroy things. Give it a try and see if it benefits your new puppy and your family.

Remote Collar Training:

Have you wondered if using a remote electronic collar can work for training a puppy? The answer is, yes. Why? Because the Sit Means Sit remote collar training system, developed by Fred Hassen, is a proven, effective and gentle training method tailored individually to your dog’s needs. Dog training, obedience, puppy, and even agility training are well suited to the remote collar training method. Sit Means Sit uses the better quality remote collars on the market, which means that these are fully adjustable for different dogs. The remote collar is used as a cue system similar to a tap on the shoulder that says “yoo-hoo” to someone in an effort to let them know you are talking to them. In other words, the collar is never used with a puppy as punishment, but instead as a means to successfully gain the puppy’s attention. In any case, you should seek a professional’s advice and aid in this type of training to avoid any elements of confusion for your pup.

Is there a specific age at which dogs can begin remote collar training? No. Common sense will tell you when your dog is physically coordinated enough to go for walks on a leash, which is a good indicator that he is ready for further training. Another indicator may be when he is active enough that you feel he is ready for more advanced training. He’s your pup knowing when he is ready for further training is personal choice akin to whether your child is ready for kindergarten. Some children are ready at just under five while some need another year. Pups, like kids, mature at individual rates. He’s your puppy, enjoy him but remember he needs rules, supervision, attention, exercise, good positive mental outlets, good food and lots of rest to grow up strong, healthy and well behaved!

Start increasing your traffic today just by submitting articles with us, click here to get started.
Liked this article? Click here to publish it on your website or blog, it’s free and easy!

Blair Stephens –
About the Author:

]]>
Questions and Answers

Ask our experts your Sports and Fitness related questions here…

Ask

200 Characters left

Are puppy training classes worth it?
How long to potty train a puppy?
My otherwise well-trained 6 months old dog won’t quit biting my hands (and generally everyone’s). It’s not an agressive bite, just a firm hold. Saying ‘No’ helps only temporarily.…

Rate this Article

1
2
3
4
5

vote(s)
0 vote(s)

Feedback

Print

Re-Publish

0) {
ch_selected = Math.floor(Math.random()*ch_queries.length);
if(ch_selected == ch_queries.length) ch_selected–;
ch_query = ch_queries[ch_selected];
}
}catch(e){
ch_query = document.title;
}
]]>

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/puppy-training-101-151008.html

Article Tags:
dog training, dog puppy training, dog training obedience puppy, dog obedience puppy training

Related Articles

Latest Sports and Fitness Articles
More from Blair Stephens

Why Dog Training Is So Important For You And Your Dog

Now that you have your new dog, or you have been thinking that your dog’s behavior isn’t really as good as it should be, you need to have an understanding of why dog training is so important for you and your dog. Dog training and dog obedience training isn’t really a hard thing to do, because the number one thing your dog cares about is your happiness. If you are happy with your dog’s behavior, your body language tells your dog how happy you are.

By:
Mark Rogersl

Home and Family>
Petsl
Nov 19, 2009

Dog Training Framingham MA – New England K9 School For Dogs

Dog Training, Dog Trainer, Metrowest Massachusetts, Worcester MA, Milford, Framingham, Franklin, Bellingham, Needham, Dedham, Norwood, Newton, Waltham, Cambridge, Belmont, Brookline, Arlington, Walpole, Foxborough, Marlborough, Northborough, Wellesley, Dover, Sherborn, Natick, Concord, Acton, Hudson, Maynard

By:
NEK9l

Home and Family>
Petsl
Apr 06, 2011

The Correct & Effective Training for Dealing with Aggressive Dog Training – The Reasons That Lead to Aggression in Dogs

The Reasons That Lead to Aggression in Dogs!The Correct Way of Dealing with Aggressive Dog Training, If your pet dog is getting really aggressive and controlling him is getting out of hand, then you need some aggressive dog training tips. The following article will give you just that. So read and learn:

By:
Doggy Danl

Home and Family>
Petsl
Apr 28, 2011

Puppy Socialization – Don’t Neglect This Important Part of Training Your Dog

As a new dog owner, you probably haven’t thought about puppy socialization. Don’t neglect this important part of your dog’s training, which can prevent aggressive dog behavior later on in his life.

By:
Darlene Norrisl

Home and Family>
Petsl
Jan 15, 2009
lViews: 105

Westchester Puppies: The Home To Best Breeds Of Healthy And Trained Puppies & Kittens In New York

People looking for pets for sale in Westchester or any part of New York may come over to Westchester Puppies to witness the healthiest puppies and kittens. All certified puppies from Westchester Puppies & Kittens have been hand-raised and bred for perfect temperament and health, making them the best kittens and puppies for sale in New York.

By:
sunildetecvisionl

Home and Family>
Petsl
Apr 07, 2011

Why Dog Training should always be sought from a Professional Dog behaviorist?

Dog is a lovely and faithful animal. The pet seems even more adorable when it behaves gently and to achieve this Dog Training should always be sought from a Professional Dog Behaviorist We often think that we ourself can train our pup or dog.

By:
Sharonl

Home and Family>
Petsl
Oct 28, 2010

Buying Custom Sports Uniforms – 4 Reasons Why It’s a Good Idea

Whether you’re buying baseball uniforms or basketball uniforms, being able to customize them is very important.

By:
Richard A. Manfredil
Sports and Fitnessl
Sep 16, 2011

Proper Way to Clean A Golf Cart

Summer is actuality and that agency abounding men and women will be spending added time out on the links exploring new as able-bodied as accustomed courses and convalescent their bold forth the way. Just as golfers get a conditioning anniversary day of play, so does their golf cart. Golf carts plan harder for us.

By:
ruanwenl
Sports and Fitnessl
Sep 16, 2011

Hjorth looking to a break duck

Maria Hjorth can’t wait to tee off in this year’s Solheim Cup – and with good reason. She has a score to settle.

By:
fiona2l
Sports and Fitnessl
Sep 16, 2011

Chan in four-way Macau tie

Chan Yih-shin of Chinese Taipei has snatched a share of the first round lead at the Macau Open with a last-minute eagle at the 18th.

By:
fiona2l
Sports and Fitnessl
Sep 16, 2011

Cog Hill gets a lashing from the pros

This will probably be the last time the BMW Championship is played at Cog Hill, and for some of the PGA Tour professionals it can’t come soon enough.

By:
fiona2l
Sports and Fitnessl
Sep 16, 2011

Creating Lasting Family Holiday Memories

Find some terrific holiday ideas for creating lasting family memories. Get tips on personalized ornaments and holiday crafts!

By:
Blair Stephensl

Self Improvement>
Advicel
Sep 19, 2007
lViews: 181

All About Tennis Shoes

Learn all about tennis shoes – the newest technologies, the brands and how to support your tennis game the right way. Don’t buy tennis footwear without the information you need!

By:
Blair Stephensl
Sports and Fitnessl
May 07, 2007
lViews: 747

A Guide to Full Seat Equestrian Breeches

Learn everything you need to know about riding breeches from our resource on full seat equestrian breeches! Our guides to riding apparel will help you make an informed choice.

By:
Blair Stephensl
Sports and Fitnessl
Mar 17, 2007
lViews: 1,202

A Beginners Guide to Laptop Shopping

If you are new to computers and thinking about a laptop, consider our tips on choosing the right kind of laptop, whether it be a new, used or refurbished laptop.

By:
Blair Stephensl
Businessl
Mar 17, 2007
lViews: 152

Add new Comment

Your Name: *

Your Email:

Comment Body: *

Verification code:*

* Required fields

Author Navigation

My Home
Publish Article
View/Edit Articles
View/Edit Q&A
Edit your Account
Manage Authors
Statistics Page
Personal RSS Builder
My Home
Edit your Account
Update Profile
View/Edit Q&A
Publish Article
Author Box

Blair Stephens has 21 articles online

Contact Author

Subscribe to RSS

Print article

Send to friend

Re-Publish article

Articles Categories
All Categories

Advertising
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Beauty
Business
Careers
Computers
Education
Finance
Food and Beverage
Health
Hobbies
Home and Family
Home Improvement
Internet
Law
Marketing
News and Society
Relationships
Self Improvement
Shopping
Spirituality
Sports and Fitness
Technology
Travel
Writing

Sports and Fitness

Aerobics
Archery
Baseball
Basketball
Bodybuilding
Cricket
Equestrian
Equipment
Extreme Sports
Fishing
Fitness
Football
Golf
Hockey
Horse Racing
Martial Arts
Muscle Building
Outdoor Sports
Pilates
Rugby
Scuba Diving
Self Defense
Soccer
Tennis
Track and Field
Water Sports
Weight Loss
Yoga

]]>

Need Help?
Contact Us
FAQ
Submit Articles
Editorial Guidelines
Blog

Site Links
Recent Articles
Top Authors
Top Articles
Find Articles
Site Map
Mobile Version

Webmasters
RSS Builder
RSS
Link to Us

Business Info
Advertising

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2011 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved.

The post Puppy Training 101 first appeared on Puppy Blog.

Birth

Puppies are born after a period of approximately 61 days of gestation, and they begin to nurse nearly immediately. Puppies continue to nurse for the first seven weeks of age.

Senses

Puppies are born deaf and blind, but they have a completely functional sense of smell from birth. Their senses all develop rapidly during the first two weeks of life.

Development

Much of a puppy’s initial body and personality development occurs in the first three to six weeks. Personalities become more apparent at about four weeks old.

Independence

Puppies are dependent on their mother for the first eight weeks, not only for nourishment but also interaction and other aspects of development.

Socialization

Socialization is of vital importance in the first 12 weeks of the puppy’s development, including socialization with other puppies, adults and children.

The post Puppy Info first appeared on Puppy Blog.