Are you considering adding a puppy to your family? Sure, you’ll need a comfy dog bed, healthy puppy food, plenty of training treats, and a poop bag or two (or 100), but that’s only the beginning. In honor of National Puppy Day, we asked our experts from Rover’s Dog People Panel for surprising facts about puppyhood.
Nicole Ellis, a certified dog trainer, Dr. Gary Richter, DVM, and Prof. Phillip Tedeschi, Executive Director of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver, had a lot to offer. Here are just a few puppy facts that this top trainer, well-known veterinarian, and respected animal behaviorist thought you might not know yet.
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1. Mother dogs are pregnant with their puppies for 63 days
That’s a lot shorter than the 240 days for humans! Newborn puppies are totally helpless and dependent on their mother (and littermates) for sustenance, socialization, and learning about the world.
2. Mother dogs help their puppies poop
That’s right. Puppies don’t start pooping on their own until they’re at least two weeks old. Until then, Mom helps them out. And even when they start doing it on their own, they may very well want or expect company!
3. Separating a puppy from their mother and littermates before eight weeks can be harmful
Eight weeks is often referenced as the earliest a puppy can be removed from their mother and littermates because a) that time frame allows for puppies to be weaned from nursing and b) it respects a critical window for socialization. The experiences offered to puppies during the first eight weeks of their lives are critical to ensuring the transition to a new home is positive.
Ideally, a puppy should meet and play with a prospective puppy parent several times before moving into their home. Bonus points if you can let the puppy visit your home for an afternoon and then return to “home base” with their mom and littermates before moving in with you permanently.
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4. Puppies may cry during their first nights in your home
Don’t panic—this is normal. Moving to a new home is a big change for a puppy, and they miss their brothers and sisters. After a couple of nights, your puppy should settle into your routine and become much more comfortable in your home.
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5. Puppy socialization is critical
This is especially true for puppies that have a tendency towards being nervous or anxious. Introducing puppies to new experiences at a young age expands their horizons and creates a better-adjusted dog.
However, this must be done under controlled conditions in order to prevent disease transmission and inadvertent trauma for the dog. Early puppy socialization classes with a trainer and/or taking the pup to friend’s houses to meet other dogs are both good ways to encourage social behavior.
Any dog the puppy comes in contact with should be healthy and current on his vaccines. To prevent serious illness, never take an unvaccinated puppy to dog parks, sidewalks, or anywhere there is dog traffic you are not in control of. The risks of disease are too great.
The optimal “window” for socialization is before 14 weeks old, so get started early.
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6. Puppies create “learning files”
In other words, puppies build strong associations. For instance, let’s say your puppy is coming to work with you for the first time, and for some reason, the door on the second floor of the parking garage really spooks them. Several years later, that door on the second floor remains “evil” in your dog’s mind, whereas the doors on the first and third floors aren’t an issue.
Early experiences are cemented and organized into positive, neutral, and negative experiences. Protecting your puppy early in life from negative experiences is critical; however, you don’t want to become so vigilant that you prevent them from learning anything. Early exposure to a variety of life experiences in a controlled setting is key.
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The early days of a dog’s life are just as important as the early days of a human’s life. They’re learning about the world and developing essential relationships—namely, a relationship with you!
If you pay close attention to your puppy’s development needs and expose them to tons of safe learning opportunities, you’re on your way to cultivating a cherished relationship with your dog that will change your life for the better.