Puppy Information
A puppy is simply a juvenile dog, describing the period of time between the birth of a dog and reaching approximately one year of age. For a dog, this is the greatest period of development not only physically, but mentally and socially as well.
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Birth
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Puppies are born after a period of approximately 61 days of gestation, and they begin to nurse nearly immediately. Puppies continue to nurse for the first seven weeks of age.
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Senses
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Puppies are born deaf and blind, but they have a completely functional sense of smell from birth. Their senses all develop rapidly during the first two weeks of life.
Development
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Much of a puppy's initial body and personality development occurs in the first three to six weeks. Personalities become more apparent at about four weeks old.
Independence
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Puppies are dependent on their mother for the first eight weeks, not only for nourishment but also interaction and other aspects of development.
Socialization
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Socialization is of vital importance in the first 12 weeks of the puppy's development, including socialization with other puppies, adults and children.
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Wayne Silver
