4 weeks - puppy begins to wean and the teeth start to appear
4 - 8 weeks - your typical puppy begins playing with small items

8 weeks - First visit to your veterinarian for:

*examination

*puppy vaccinations (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza)

* NOTE:  puppy vaccinations and deworming are completed before the puppies go to new homes :)

*deworming

*a review of nutrition and parasite control

*discussions on behaviour and socialization
10 - 12 weeks - your puppy enjoys chasing things in responding to his or her name

12 weeks - Second veterinary visit for:

*examination

*booster for puppy vaccinations

*deworming

*further discussions on behaviour
16 weeks - puppy begins to respond to simple commands and will heed when beckoned

16 weeks - Final Puppy veterinary visit for:

*examination

*Final puppy booster vaccinations

*deworming

*talk about spaying/neutering

16 weeks - First grooming for puppies that need grooming

*Look into formal obedience classes if desired, they can be useful

6 Month - Spay or Neuter

*Your puppy should fetch and understand simple commands and will be reaching sexual maturity for small dogs  *Permanent teeth are cutting through.

8 - 10 Months - Gradually switch to an adult food as soon as your puppy starts to put on fat

16 Months - Annual checkup and booster vaccinations

 

 

Training Your Puppy

 

Whether you train your puppy to go outside or to use an indoor pee pad the same ideas regarding training are straight forward.  Keep things at a simple, easy level of understanding for your puppy.  When you get your puppy home restrict the area of the house that your puppy is introduced to.  He/she will get lost in your house and won't remember where the pee pad is situated or where the door is to go outside.  Keep your puppy on a schedule.  Feed your puppy two or three times a day (at the same time each day) depending on the size and age of your puppy.  You will notice if you feed at specific times of day your puppy will need to go to the bathroom at associated time frames.  Watch your puppy about the time you think it has to go to the bathroom (the puppy will walk in circles, sniff or seem to have something on his mind) and place the puppy either by the pee pad (they are scented so this may also attact the puppy to this spot) or make sure the puppy gets outside to go to the bathroom in a designated spot.  It is also a good idea is to get a crate for your puppy.  This is like a crib for a baby, a spot to sleep uninterrupted that is safe when you are too busy to watch your puppy, or away from home or at night.  This will also aid in house training.  With patience and repetition your puppy will learn bathroom and sleeping routines.  Always reward your puppy with a small treat or tell the puppy that it is good when the puppy accomplishes something that pleases you :)