The First 8 Weeks

 

Week 1-3

- Nursing on demand

- Heat lamp provided for warmth and security

- Handled/cuddled every day by adults and children

- Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

- Nails trimmed weekly

- First deworming at 2 weeks old

 

Week 3-6

- Nursing 3-4 times a day

- Heat lamp removed

- Offered saturated puppy food and water

- Daily handling/cuddling

- Health and development closely monitored

- Supervised play in puppy play zone with the introduction of new toys and sounds each week.

- Housebreaking naturally begins as puppies are eliminated away from their bed and onto pellets..

- Second deworming at 5 weeks old.

 

  Week 6-8

- Eating hard kibble and drinking water

- Nursing is mostly finished, depending on the mom.

- Move into their larger permanent puppy zone; safe and large enough to play and sleep (and potty in a designated area) when not being supervised.

- Outside supervised play and exploring begins in the backyard.

- Continued supervised play with more new people and toys in and outside the house.

- Introduction to the family cats.

- Learning to play nicely with each other with respectful mouthing/play biting. This is a critical time for puppies to learn bite inhibition with each other and with correction from their mom and handlers.

- 1 on 1 time spent with mom as she teaches them how to play nicely with adults.

- Weaned by 8 weeks old

- Eating hard kibble and drinking water.