Happiness is a warm puppy. Charles Schulz

Happiness is a warm Beardie puppy. Maryann Szalka

Self centered and curious, may experience fear period between 7-9 weeks

Love to explore, usually with their mouths Need lots of sleep Short attention span Immune system not fully developed Bladder/bowel control improves

• Puppy-proof your home• Use a crate• Safe toys• Three minute training sessions ( they are little sponges)• Take the puppy outside often• Establish a grooming routine• Patience

Lots of energy when awake Senses and motor skills are developed Inquisitive Easily distracted Crucial time for socialization Better bladder/bowel control Will start to test you (terrible twos)

• Enroll in a puppy class• Housebreaking can begin in earnest (accidents are your

fault)• Hand feed for a better bond• Patience• Reinforce lessons learned

Major growth phase – teething and hormones Budding adolescents Avoidance period = fearful period (7-9

weeks) Will test the limits and your patience Keep things fun, prone to anxiety now

• Socialize, socialize, socialize• Don’t take housebreaking for granted• Monitor weight• Puppy training classes• Focus on successes• Patience

More growth and hormones = increased activity

May ignore or challenge you (males) Renewed interest in chewing Need lots of exercise

• Reduce feedings to twice a day• Toys to burn off excess energy• Exercise together is great for bonding• Reinforce basic training commands• Don’t provide too much freedom too soon

Sorry, still a puppy Setbacks happen Separation anxiety, defiance,

independence Should be more mindful and responsive Boys and girls grow up

• Reinforce good behavior• Monitor weight• Train• Play• Patience

Your puppy’s name No (independent of puppy’s name) Let’s go or Heel Come Wait/Stay Break/Okay Sit Down Stand Settle Off Give

Eating Drinking Going potty Playing Sleeping

Whoever satisfies a need is held in high regard !

Need Phrase Routine

Eating Hungry, Dinner

Scheduled meals time, same place

Drinking Thirsty, Drink Dish in same place

Going Potty

Outside, Go Potty

Same place, praise

Playing Play, Ball Established play area, safe toys

Sleeping Bed, crate, sleep

Same spot, same time

Three times a day until 6 months old Feed in the same place (crate) Premium food Supplements ? Same time each day, if possible Ask puppy to sit before putting dish

down

Puppies need a lot of water Bladder muscles last to develop Keep it fresh Bring your own when traveling Restrict water after 7:30 pm

• Offer ice cubes• Get up during the night

Puppies need to sleep Quiet spot

• Mat, crate, pillow Overtired puppies will have

meltdowns just like kids Growth occurs while sleeping

What goes in must come out A lot depends on what the breeder did Need to be consistent and vigilant Anticipate your puppy’s need Papers create another step Need to go after

• Waking• Playing• Eating• Drinking

Safe toys, age appropriate Need to chew Exercise Relieves boredom Great for bonding Foundation for training Interactive games best

• Refer to handout