Owning a dog can be both a challenging journey for newbies and a process filled with love and joy. Especially during the 0-12 months of your dog’s life, you’ll go through a variety of changes from puppyhood to adolescence to adulthood. This time can be overwhelming, but with the right care knowledge, you and your dog will make it through this difficult but memorable time.
0-12 Months for Dogs
Newborn period (0-1 month old): the newborn baby angel
Newborn puppies need special care, especially in terms of nutrition. Breast milk is the best source of nutrients for their growth and is rich in maternally derived antibodies that boost the puppy’s immunity against various pathogens. For this reason, it is not recommended for newbies to have puppies under 3 months old, as their nutritional care needs are very specific and may affect their healthy growth if they are not careful.
Vaccination and deworming (1-2 months old): the first step of protection
Puppies at this stage have begun to wean and are gradually entering a period of preparation for independent living. Deworming and vaccinations are very important at this time. The first vaccination can usually be given when the dog is 45 days old, with a 21-day interval between shots as recommended by your doctor. Deworming and vaccinations need to be spaced a week apart to avoid overloading your dog’s body.
Dry Food Transition (2-3 months old): Healthy Eating Habit Formation
By the time your dog is 2-3 months old, their senses and physical abilities have fully matured, their digestion is stronger and their milk teeth are almost complete. At this point, you can begin to gradually transition from milk-foam food to dry food. The transition needs to be gradual to ensure that your dog is able to adapt to the new food. Eating dry food can not only exercise your dog’s chewing ability, but also effectively prevent the appearance of double rows of teeth, so that their mouth is healthier.
Teeth Changing Period (3-4 Months Old): The Trouble with Itchy Teeth
3-4 months old dogs begin to enter the period of tooth replacement, milk teeth will gradually fall off, permanent teeth begin to grow out. During this period, your dog’s teeth will have some itchy feelings and may bite things frequently. To prevent dogs from destroying furniture or household items, owners can prepare some teething sticks for them to help them soothe their discomfort while protecting items in the home from being chewed on.
Golden period of growth (4-6 months old): Rogue that grows up quickly
4-6 months old is the prime growth period for dogs, they will grow rapidly in size and have a stronger appetite than before. During this period, their eating habits can be gradually adjusted from 3-5 feedings per day to 2-3 feedings per day, with an appropriate increase in the amount of each meal to meet the needs of their growth and development. A nutritionally balanced diet is essential for your dog’s healthy growth. Also remember to provide them with enough water, most of PUPPHUB ‘s water bowls have filters to provide clean water for your dog. Some of Pupphub’s water bowls have a large capacity to accommodate multiple dogs, and the No Spill Dog Bowl is a great way to keep water off the floor.
Heat Stage (7-8 months old): Grumpy Adolescence
Dogs entering 7-8 months of age begin to enter estrus, which is their adolescence. This is the time when dogs may become grumpy and appear to run around and growl for no reason. Male dogs may urinate around the house, while female dogs will enter their physiological stage and need their owners to prepare physiological pants for them. This stage requires more patience and attention to help the dog get through the rebellious period smoothly.
Hair Changing Period (9-10 months old): Dog Hair Everywhere
At 9-10 months old, the dog enters the moulting period, when a lot of hair will fall out. Owners need to clean their home diligently, and at the same time perform daily brushing for their dogs to prevent hair tangles and skin diseases. Keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy will help minimize the hair loss problem.
Maturity (11-12 months old): Smoothing out as a young adult
After all the previous stages, the dog has gradually entered the adult stage at 11-12 months old. During the transition from adolescence to adulthood, their personality becomes smoother and their behavior more obedient than in adolescence. Dogs in this period have already passed the most difficult stage to bring, owners just need to continue to maintain good habits and daily care.
Suggestions to get through the hardest months of your dog’s life smoothly
1. Scientific diet: According to the nutritional needs of dogs at different stages, arrange the diet reasonably. Ensure that your dog takes in enough nutrients to avoid health problems caused by malnutrition.
2. Regular checkups: Vaccinate and deworm your dog in time to ensure their health. At the same time, take your dog to the veterinarian for regular checkups to detect and deal with potential health problems as early as possible.
3. Appropriate training: Start basic behavioral training at a young age, such as going to the toilet at regular intervals and not barking randomly, to help develop good behavioral habits.
4. Increase interaction: Maintaining sufficient interaction and companionship with your dog helps them adapt to new environments and lifestyles and reduces anxiety and restlessness.
5. Patience and love: Raising a dog requires enough patience and love, understanding and respecting the dog’s needs and giving them enough care and attention.
