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All about Puppies

Puppies warrant a page of their own, such is the importance of 'getting things right' at the beginning. In making sure that a new owner can have a happy and healthy dog for the rest of its life means that it is a pleasure to own and a pleasure to be with.

pups

Health Testing

Parents - Health Tests Prior to Breeding

Puppies Testing - Health Tests for Puppies

Early Neurological Stimulation Tests for puppies between 3 - 16 days as shown on this link from the American Kennel Club provides further information for this important stage of development.

Tap/Click on each Section header for more information

While it is important to have tests for the health of puppies and parents, the importance of how a puppy is reared in the breeders home, together with the early formation of its life in a new home, will have an enormous impact on health and behaviour in adult life and therefore how you enjoy your life with your pet.

The following websites have excellent information about choosing a puppy from a reliable breeder. For further information visit the:

mum and pups

Four weeks - the puppies should be weaned on to a solid diet.

Six weeks - legally puppies should not be sold at less than this age.

Eight weeks - Ideally a puppy should be at least this age when they go to a new home as this allows for the mother to have completed her disciplinary training of the pups, such as teaching bite inhibition.

pups with mum

This time is very important for the pups as they learn how to interact and communicate with other dogs properly. However, not every mother is good at discipline and in large litters not every mother can interact with them all, so if they are left with their siblings too long some may become bullies.

For a photographic catalogue of puppies development from birth to leaving home, see the Puppies section of our Gallery.

The breeder should supply all the necessary paperwork and a diet sheet detailing exactly what, how much, and when the pup is fed. It is very important not to change the diet immediately as this can cause stomach upset.

Remember it will be stressful for the pup to leave its family and to go into a new home with virtual strangers. Allow the pup time to adjust to its new environment and people. Try and keep everything calm and gentle in order that every new experience for your new pup is a nice one. It is important for the puppy’s happy adjustment that the puppy’s new life is not overwhelming.

Twelve weeks - at about this stage your puppy should have his first trim, a video and other guidelines can be found on the grooming and puppy care pages.

TEETH

Dentition and Puppy Teeth:

Most puppies will begin losing their baby teeth and replacing them with adult teeth at around 12 weeks.

Here are a few tips to loosen baby teeth:
Toys are important for all puppy development and when pups are teething their gums become red and swollen and have teeth which are like little needles! Therefore, chewing on strong, safe toys or raw foods such as frozen carrots and frozen apple slices help.

Also try a few facecloths; tie a knot in the middle, then wet and put them in a zip bag and place in the freezer. These facecloths should be used one at a time. The facecloths, frozen carrots and apples will cool the puppy’s swollen gums and help to loosen and hook out the baby teeth.

Frequently, the baby canine teeth can grow alongside the new adult canine teeth (see Puppy 2 photos) and may appear misaligned. The bottom teeth may also look as if they are piercing the top gums, this is a natural process, the vast majority of puppies go on to develop normal dentition, and require no veterinary intervention. Only patience is required!

The photographs of two Wheaten Terrier puppies are shown depicting the typical progression of teeth development; Puppy 1 from 8 weeks to 11.5 months and Puppy 2 shows what double canines look like!

Puppy 1
At 8 weeks the gums are swollen as the puppy’s baby teeth break through the gums.

8 weeks
Puppy1 at 8wks. Left side
8 weeks
Puppy1 at 8wks. Right side

The following four images show Puppy 1 and Puppy 2 at 5.5 months.

These illustrate the difference in teeth maturity, which are both perfectly normal, as puppies develop at different rates.

Also Puppy 2 has double canines and the gums are swollen and the owner says a week later the baby canines had dropped out!

It is only in very rare cases, that the upper and bottom canine teeth are retained and require surgery. Please give puppy teeth time to mature naturally before seeking and allowing any Veterinary intervention.

Puppy 1
5.5 months
Puppy1 at 5.5mths. Left side
5.5 months
Puppy1 at 5.5mths. Right side
Puppy 2
5.5 mths
Puppy2 at 5.5mths with double canines. Left side
5.5 mths
Puppy2 at 5.5mths with double canines. Right side
 

Puppy 1 by 11.5 months, the teeth on Puppy1 are fully developed.

Puppy1 11.5 mths
Puppy1 at 11.5mths. Left side
Puppy1 11.5 mths
Puppy1 at 11.5mths. Right side
Puppy1 11.5 mths
Puppy1 at 11.5mths. Front

Thanks to Laura Lui (Puppy1) and Heidi Kleynenberg, for allowing the use of their puppy photos.

DIET

Usually puppies are fed four times a day until they are twelve weeks, three times a day until they are six months and then twice a day for the rest of their lives.

For a puppy's first few months in its new home the breeders should give advice about the type and quantity of food needed.

For the adult dog there is a confusing amount of dog food on the market.

EXERCISE

Just how much exercise is enough for your young puppy? View this Guide for safe exercise limits (opens as a pdf document.)

Your puppy is allowed to go out after his vaccinations, but it is a big mistake to go for a long hike in the hope of tiring him out. His young bones and joints and growth plates are just not developed enough to withstand this. Have a look at the page on Luxating Patella. He will become over-tired and grumpy, you may hurt the pads on his feet and he may well end up with an aversion to going on the lead.

Two ten minute walks each day are adequate for a young pup – couple this with the mental stimulation of training and play and you will have a happy, tired puppy.

Work up to taking your pup on two 25 to 30 minute walks when he is six months old.

An adult Wheaten should be given at least 25 - 30 minutes walk twice each day.

How do I know when my puppy has stopped growing?

Puppies grow at different rates - this video explains what to look for:

HOME ALONE

One of the most appealing qualities of a dog is the desire to enjoy the company of other dogs and of their owners and other humans. But there are potential problems for the owner who does not take steps to build a healthy relationship with their dog nor teach their pup to be relaxed when left alone.

In many cases the importance of this aspect of caring for your pet dog is not apparent until things go wrong. In extreme cases, owners require professional help when their dog engages in such things as destructive chewing; whining or howling; urination and defecation; when left alone.

As always, prevention is better than cure and this sort of behaviour can be avoided by the following: -

pups socializing
  • GOOD SOCIALISATION.

    Take every opportunity to introduce your pup to new experiences, new people and new places. Seek out your local APDT member for advice and enrol in a puppy class.

    Your aim should be to build confidence and avoid over attachment to one person. Introduce our dog to your friends and neighbours and teach it to be relaxed with other people.

  • CRATE TRAINING

    The crate offers many benefits. It prevents your pup following you all around the house; enables you to be separate but still in sight; gives the pup its own space and place of comfort and safety.

    Even older dogs can be introduced to a crate. Make sure the crate is comfortable, covering it with a blanket and give your dog a food-delivering toy, such as a Kong, while the dog is crated.

  • POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

    The most stressful time for our pup is immediately after you leave. A simple training programme will help.

    Start by walking a distance away from your pup; turning to walk back; greet calmly and reward a good response (if your pup becomes over excited, ask for and reward a sit or a down). Then leave the room, pause briefly out of sight and return as before.

    Gradually increase the duration of absence. When your pup is secure and relaxed when you are out of sight, go out of the house and return as before. As before, gradually increase the duration of absence. Putting your jacket on before leaving will strengthen the effect of this exercise.

  • A CALM EXIT.

    Do not make a fuss before going out. Too much attention may increase your pup’s insecurity when the attention is removed. Your pup will not understand your words but will have a heightened sense of something going to happen.

  • A CALM RETURN. While it is nice to be greeted by a dog that is clearly delighted to see you, do not take too much fuss when you return this attention.

There is no single way to teach a dog to be relaxed when alone. Each dog is different and must be treated differently, but the points listed above will help you teach your dog to be content when left alone.

If you have Facebook access, the following Wheaten Training Groups are a good resource:
Wheaten Owners Online Force-Free Training (WOOFT)

Common Sense Wheaten Training

Canines Can Do

For further Care and grooming techniques go to our Puppy Care and Grooming page