Congratulations! Between 9-12 weeks, your puppy has arrived home and the bonding process between puppy and family has already begun.
You've entered a crucial learning period that will provide the foundation for your puppy's mental and physical development. Newly away from their biological mommy and siblings, your puppy is experiencing a high level of curiosity in their new environment. Anything within reach will be investigated and likely chewed as a result of that curiosity. You'll notice your puppy "mouthing" a lot, which is how they grow familiar with the world around them. Basic personality characteristics will begin to emerge, but a lot of your puppy's traits will form based on how they are treated and cared for by the family.
Socialization
Your puppy is at the age where social interactions with others really matter. The puppy will continue to investigate their surroundings, enhance their responses to stimuli, and advance their social skills; therefore, it is important to expose your puppy to many different types of people and situations. This will prevent later fear or inappropriate reactions to the everyday world as an adult dog. It is a critical time for your puppy to develop the social skills that will benefit their relationships with both dogs and people. Arrange for your puppy to meet other dogs while they’re still young, but make sure the dogs they meet are fully vaccinated until your puppy has completed their required vaccines, typically by about 4-6 months old. The more positive, new experiences your puppy has now, the more well-rounded and sociable they will be in the long run!
Training
This is the ideal age for your puppy to begin obedience training. Your pup is becoming more responsive to your voice and is starting to take an active interest in humans. So, imagine your puppy as a sponge, ready to absorb all of the information you can provide, and will look to you on how they should behave. This is the perfect time to teach your puppy basic commands like "sit," "stay," "down," how to come when called, and how to walk on a leash. However, not all training methods will work with a puppy of this age. Your puppy may still be adjusting to their new home, so you should try to provide them with as many positives as you can. Your puppy does not understand the concept of punishment, so scolding them for failure to obey a command will only teach them to be afraid of you. Training during this stage should occur with abundant praise and lightheartedness and should focus on positive reinforcement rather than punishment.
Growth & Development
As far as physical growth, you may have noticed your puppy is a bit rambunctious and messy - clumsily running around and emptying their bladder and bowels often. At this stage, you should be taking the puppy out every two hours - remember, frequent trips outside mean fewer accidents and cleanup for you! As far as appearance goes, puppies are heart-melting for a reason - enjoy those big eyes, soft features, and sleepiness; and snuggle/hold your pup often - if your puppy is meant to grow up to be a large dog, you won't have that opportunity for much longer!
Health
In this vulnerable age, keeping your puppy safe is key. The natural immunity passed on from his mother is starting to wear off and will soon be taken over by rounds of vaccinations. To avoid the dangers of your puppy contracting illness, specifically Parvo, do not allow your puppy around other non-vaccinated dogs. This means: Staying away from dog parks, and even walking down the street if it's a highly foot-trafficked area. About a week after the final vaccinations (around 16-weeks-old), you'll be able to take your pup everywhere - so just be patient!
Just like with a new baby, you may be worried about your puppy's health before the first vet visit. Here are the symptoms to keep an eye out for which may require a phone call to your vet:
- Diarrhea - if it lasts more than a day, is extremely watery or discolored
- Vomiting - if it persists more than a day, or is extreme
- Unwillingness to Eat or Drink - if the puppy is not interested in food or water
Remember, use your best instincts - if something seems off, don't hesitate to contact a professional.
A Typical Day
Your puppy will require extra patience and understanding when they first arrive home. They’re still getting used to the new sights and sounds that might startle them. As much as you can, avoid exposing the puppy to painful or frightening experiences. For unpleasant experiences that cannot be avoided, such as the necessary booster vaccinations, turn the experience into a positive one by smiling and cooing at your puppy and having plenty of treats ready. Don't dwell on bad experiences or show that you are stressed about the event because your puppy will pick up on these emotions. Instead, treat it as a game that your puppy should look forward to.
Finally, there is no better time to start training than now. The earlier your puppy begins basic training, the faster he will learn. There are many different methods and philosophies to train your pup, but a steadfast rule for all is to remain calm, be patient, and reward good behavior. Good luck!
