Facts About Dogs  
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Puppy Facts
Facts about Puppy Newborns


newborn puppyA puppy is born with their eyes closed – they do not open until about 3 weeks.

A puppy does not begin trying to walk until as early as 2 weeks and as late as 5 weeks old – They do not automatically know how to walk, they stumble and fall down just like toddlers do.

Out of the 5 senses: touch, taste, smell, hearing and seeing, a puppy first experiences touch.

At about 6 weeks old, a dam will start encouraging her pups to venture out and slowly become more independent.
Like human babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot in their skull called the molera, which closes up as they grow.

When you are choosing a puppy from a litter, do not choose the most energetic one and do not choose the one who is the most quiet…Choose one that falls in the middle.

If you have a mixed puppy and do not know what to expect, you can look at his or her feet...Those will large paws most often tend to grow into good sized adults.

Puppy Facts about Feeding

feeding puppyPuppies need to eat 3 times a day, until they are about 8 months to 1 year old. Then, an owner should go down to 2 meals a day….When they become an adult, they can be fed 1 meal a day.

Dogs should not eat cat food; it is very unhealthy for them.

It is not a good idea to leave trash out where a dog can reach it. Many foods that we throw away can be toxic to them.

Raw carrots make a great, healthy, wholesome snack.

Puppy Facts about Training

When you teach a puppy the “Come” command, it is best to kneel down so that you are at their same level.

A 2 month old puppy can only hold their bathroom needs for 2 hours, a 3 month old for 3 hours, and so on…Until they are 8 months old.  The muscles in their bladder are not fully developed and they need time to slowly make it stronger.  This is an important element to remember when training.

Puppies will need to have a bowel movement 15 to 20 minutes after eating.

When you want to teach your puppy to catch a ball, it is often more successful if you first use a soft fabric ball since it will be easier for them to mouth.

puppy factsA puppy can begin learning commands from the very first day that you bring them home – 8 weeks old is old enough to start to learn basic commands such as “Sit” and “Come”.

If your dog acts aggressive to another person, never pick them up…They will think that it is a reward for their behavior.

If you know that your puppy does not need to go to the bathroom, ignore any nighttime barking….If you always rush over to see them, they will never learn to stop barking when you are trying to sleep.

When a puppy bites or nips you, pretend that it really hurt by saying “Ouch!’ really loudly. This works because when the pup used to be with his or her littermates and playing, if one bit the other too hard, the other would yelp loudly…This was the “signal” to stop.  When you do the same, the puppy will know that they should not do that action.

Puppies will learn house training a lot faster if the owner chooses 1 spot as the designated bathroom area.  If they are brought outside to a different area each time, they will become confused.  It is best to stand in the middle of the area that you choose, and then let your pup roam around within that area (on their leash) so that they can choose the “perfect spot”.

If a puppy pees as soon as he or she enters the house, it usually is because the owner did not wait long enough for them to do this outside in the designated bathroom area. Not properly cleaning any previous urine stains on the floor can also lead to this behavior.

Puppy InformationPuppy Facts for Names

Dogs only listen to the 1st syllable of their name. So, if you name them “Jelly Belly”, they will respond to “Jel”.

It is suggested to never name them with a name that sounds like a command. For example, “Seth” which is too similar to “Sit” or “Don” which is similar to “Down”.

When you have a new puppy, say their name as much as possible…At least with every command word.

Puppy Facts for Care

When you have to leave a puppy home alone, it can help a lot if you put on the television or have a radio playing so that they can hear noises.

When you bring a new puppy home, it is best to prepare ahead of time. You should choose exactly where you want to have their bed, crate, dog food dish, water dish and other things…And then NOT move them.  Your furry friend will depend on knowing exactly where things are and can get very stressed if things are moved.

Puppies sleep 90% percent of the day for their first few weeks.  8 week olds (the average age that one goes to their new home) can sleep for up to 20 hours a day.

Dogs shed because it is the body’s process of getting rid of old, unhealthy hairs to make room for new, healthy hairs. Fur, of course, is very important for a canine to keep warm and for protection from the elements.  A puppy should be routinely brushed to remove old fur from the coat so that it does not become matted.


puppy fact
They are happier and feel more secure if they are given a doggie bed. Even if they do not sleep in it, most like to have a place to retreat to if they feel stressed or if they think that it is too noisy, etc.  Therefore, it is best to have this placed in a quiet room.

They may cry for up to a week when first going to a new home, because he or she misses their mother and littermates.

For teething, put an ice cube on a slippery floor such as linoleum or tile….They will have fun chasing it around AND it will cool off and sooth their sore gums.


Human contact in very important, especially between the ages of 1 month to 3 months; it makes them much better pets, more adapted and with better behavior.

Most breeds go through a phase of their baby fur falling out and being replaced by their adult coat. This often happens gradually and most do not notice, aside from some shedding.   With some breeds, there can be a color change. For example, a red may turn into an apricot.  Pomeranians are the only breed that has a drastic change, called the “puppy uglies” in which they enter a phase of just about all the fur falling out…they will remain that way for a couple of months and then grow in the adult fur.

pup factsDo not allow a puppy to mingle with other dogs until he or she has had all of their puppy vaccinations.

The need to chew will be extremely strong – It aids in the baby teeth falling out and makes gums strong to hold the adult teeth – Be sure to offer lots of doggie toys so that they do not chew on your things.

If your pup grabs something that you do not want them to have, do not chase them.  Make a game out of it, where YOU run away and make them chase you….It is a lot easier to retrieve the item this way.

Dogs need to have their teeth cleaned at home once a day, but also need a full dental checkup ith the veterinarian every 1 or 2 years in order to avoid infection and/or tooth loss. Begin brushing their teeth from the day that you bring them home, start off with just a few seconds and work your way up to a full minute. This allows them to get used to the idea.

Studies have shown that when an owner pets their dog, their blood pressure goes down. This means that having a dog can be a healthy thing.

All puppies are susceptible to hypoglycemia. This term means a rapid drop in the blood sugar levels of the puppy….And it can be quite dangerous. Without treatment, a pup can slip into a coma.  Toy and small breeds under 4 months old are at the greatest risk.  Stress, a fast change in type of food or not eating enough can cause this.  Symptoms are weakness, wobbly walking and fainting. An owner must immediately rub Karo syrup on the puppy’s gums so that it is absorbed immediately.  One the pup is stable, he or she should be brought to the vet or closest animal hospital. Severe cases will involve treatment with an IV.

An owner can begin giving their puppy a bath at 8 weeks old.  It is recommended to do this a clean kitchen sink….If just a few inches of water is added first, it can help him or her not be afraid of the sound.

When picking up a young puppy, a person should place 1 hand under their rump and the other supporting the chest….with the puppy’s arms and paws hanging over the 2nd hand.
Below are 3 Highly Recommended Books, Found on Amazon in Both Kindle and Hard Copy Formats

                     Excellent Puppy Training Book                        How to Socialize Your Dog            Detailed Help for Chewing, Tugging, Nipping and Biting



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