Before the Puppies Arrive

Newborn preparation begins here. Make sure you have a draft-free, clean, and quiet whelping area. Allow time for the mother to acclimate to her area about a week or two prior to the due date. If you are still determining the due date refer to the dog pregnancy week-by-week guide for information on the pregnancy through birth.

Items you will want to have available include:

• Whelping box with low sides that the mother can step over but the puppies can’t out of
• Washable bedding that can be changed frequently
• Heat source and a thermometer
• Digital scales that measure in grams
• After hours number for your veterinarian

Weeks 0–2: The Neonatal Period

Newborn puppies are blind, deaf and unable to maintain their own temperature. Puppies will generally sleep and eat almost constantly.

Puppies need a heat source. Shivering is not an option for puppies. Chilling can be a major problem in the first few days. The whelping box should be maintained at approximately 29-32°C during the first week and 26-29°C during the second week. A heat source must be used which has a low risk of overheating or burning. Puppies must be able to move away from the heat source if they become overheated.

Let the mother look after the puppies. A healthy mother will clean, stimulate elimination and provide milk for her puppies. Your role is to ensure the mother is relaxed, fit and well fed. Ask your vet for a suitable ration for a mother dog.

Daily weighing is essential. Puppies should gain weight consistently from day one and should approximately double their birth weight within the first 7-10 days. Daily weighing also allows early identification of any problems. Any puppy which fails to gain 24 hours or which has a weight loss should be seen by a vet.

Look out for signs of a “fading puppy”. If a puppy appears cold, constantly crying, lost from the litter, failing to nurse, not eating or has a weight loss then contact your vet immediately. Newborns can fall ill very quickly so do not wait to see what happens.

Handle gently. Puppies should be handled gently for a short period from around day three to allow them to become accustomed to handling. However, they should remain in close contact with their mother.

Weeks 2–4: The Transitional Period

This is also a period of major development.

• Eyes open at between 10 and 14 days, ears soon afterwards
• Puppies start to toddle and start to play with each other
• Teeth start to emerge during weeks 3-4

Worming starts at about 2 weeks and then every two weeks. The correct dose and product will be determined by the weights of the puppies by the vet.

Puppies now start to move about and start to soiled the whelping box. Clean the box regularly. As the puppies can now start to temperature regulate, slowly start to reduce the heat.

From 3-4 weeks weaning food can be introduced. A quality puppy food can be gently blended with warm puppy milk replacer or warm water to make a soft gruel. Allow the puppies to then try the food as they please. The mother will become less involved with the puppies at this stage. Please see the new born puppy information from RPBA for more information on this stage.

Read: Dog Bites: What Every Owner Should Know

Weeks 4–8: Socialisation and Growing Up

A puppy’s critical socialisation period occurs between 3 and 12 weeks of age. During this time a puppy is developing an understanding of safe and normal experiences. The impact of these experiences at this time will influence the puppy’s personality throughout its life.

Provide a soft introduction to the world. Provide a variety of positive and safe experiences including sounds within the home (washing machine, vacuum etc), different types of floor, varying human interactions (of all ages) and soft handling of mouths, ears and paws. Shorten experiences and never attempt to handle a frightened puppy.

Finish the weaning period. Most puppies will be consuming puppy specific food 3-4 times per day from 6-8 weeks. Find out from your vet the amount to feed depending on body condition and breed size.

Maintain parasite treatment. Worming should continue as recommended. Flea and tick prevention is also something that your vet can advise.

Temperament observation. Watching how each puppy responds to new situations helps match puppies to the right homes. Structured temperament testing can guide this, though it should always be one tool among many.

Vaccinations and microchipping. In Australia, first vaccinations are usually given at around six to eight weeks, with boosters to follow, and your vet will set the schedule. Microchipping rules vary by state and territory, but puppies are generally required to be microchipped before sale or by twelve weeks. 

When Is a Puppy Ready to Go Home?

Puppies must remain with the mother and siblings until the age of 8 weeks. Socialisation with the siblings will aid confidence, communication and biting inhibition. All puppies must undergo first vaccination, be wormed, microchipped, have a vet visit and be confident eating solid food before going to their owner.

Quick Week-by-Week Checklist

• Week 1: Warmth, daily weighing, mum feeding and socialising
• Week 2: Opening of the eyes, first worming, cleanliness of bedding
• Week 3: Opening of the ears, early mobility, gentle handling and enrichment
• Week 4: Weaning, emergence of teeth, initial social handling
• Weeks 5-6: Transition to solid diet, increased play, broader socialisation and regular worming
• Weeks 7-8: Veterinary check, initial vaccination and microchipping, temperament assessment and introduction to new owners

A Note for Buyers

If you’re buying a puppy rather than breeding one, this timeline is also a good guide for the questions to ask: How were the puppies raised? What health checks, worming and socialisation have they had? A responsible breeder will happily answer. You can also use RPBA’s Verify Breeder tool to check a breeder before you commit.

Final Thoughts

Newborn puppies need lots of attention however proper care will result in happy, healthy puppies suited to their ultimate homes. Make sure they are warm, monitor the weight, maintain hygiene, socialise appropriately and seek professional veterinary input if any problem arises.

The post Caring for Newborn Puppies: The First 8 Weeks appeared first on Big Small Pet.