Is there a biological reason why humans are drawn to puppies? How long does a canine pregnancy last, and what's the average litter size? When are puppies able to first see and hear?
Is there a biological reason why humans are drawn to puppies? How long does a canine pregnancy last, and what's the average litter size? When are puppies able to first see and hear? Find out the answers on this episode of Dogs 101 where we'll guide you step-by-step through everything you need to know about puppies.
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Find episode transcript here: https://dogs-101.simplecast.com/episodes/puppies
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HOST VO Thinking of getting a puppy? On this special edition of Dogs 101 we’ll guide you step by step through everything you need to know before making this joyful and life altering decision. How do you pick out the right puppy for you in a litter? Can butter teach these cute little nippers not to bite? What’s the best way to house train your new little doggie? And why do people young and old love these adorable fluff balls?
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They’re soft and cuddly. They bounce and pounce with wagging tails and floppy ears. Fuzzy beautiful puppies and we can’t get enough of them. |
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ANDREW SCHECHTER OC/VO Who doesn’t like puppies?
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If you don’t like puppies then I, I would say get your eyes checked because you’re missing the cutest thing alive. Puppies.
DARA FOSTER OC/VO And puppy breath. If only we could patent puppy breath it would sell like hot cakes.
HOST VO A puppy’s features are designed to win us over. |
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC/VO They have these huge eyes and these short noses. They cause people have this sort of ah, how cute, really.
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HOST VO Just like in human babies these features trigger our nurturing instincts.
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In fact when we interact with a pack of puppies, researchers say a powerful chemical called oxytocin is released in our brains.
PROFESSOR CALDWELL-HARRIS OC/VO Oxytocin is called the love hormone. It is thought that it evolved as part of a maternal, care giving system.
HOST VO While only 35 percent of all US households have a child, 63 percent own a pet proving that puppies are filling empty nests and filling new roles.
PROFESSOR CALDWELL-HARRIS OC There’s been this transition from owning dogs as working dogs to owning dogs would be psychological need to nurture and care for. |
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HOST VO Let’s face it puppies have taken the world by storm and the evidence airs every Super Bowl Sunday on Animal Planet. |
MALE ANNOUNCER VO The most outstanding athletes on four legs are gathered here yet again.
HOST VO This one of a kind puppy centric sports event features dozens of puppies from all walks of life playing on a miniature football field for two solid hours.
ANDREW SCHECHTER OC/VO Every year millions and millions of people tune in to watch the Puppy Bowl. You have Fido first downs and puppy penalties.
HOST VO Puppy Bowl referee Andrew Schechter has to make some tough calls.
ANDREW SCHECHTER OC/VO Unnecessary roughness. Paw interference. Someone has to call the shots around there. Puppy touchdown. Beagle.
HOST VO Puppy popularity aside, these cuties need a lot from us as they grow and achieve their life firsts. |
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HOST VO We start at the beginning. Before you can bring home your little miracle, he has to be born. Human mothers may be a little jealous, instead of our nine months, a canine pregnancy typically lasts for only nine weeks. But watch out, the litter size will vary depending on the breed. |
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC I think the biggest litter was within the Neapolitan Mastiff who gave birth to 24 puppies, which is way off the Richter scale.
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HOST VO Most litters have somewhere between five and 12 puppies and very small dogs like Chihuahuas may only be able to carry one pup at a time. |
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HOST VO This expectant mother a Labrador named Widgeon lives with her family the Wagners, breeders from New Hampshire.
SHARON WAGNER OC/VO Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole and that definitely describes myself and my family.
HOST VO Today they’re visiting their vet for a pre-natal exam.
FEMALE IN PURPLE VO How’s she doing?
SHARON WAGNER OC Good.
FEMALE IN PURPLE VO Let’s get a weight on her.
HOST VO Widgeon’s diet doubled in calories and will |
increase again when she begins to nurse.
SHARON WAGNER VO She’s so hungry.
HOST VO Her due date is just two weeks away.
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MALE VET OC/VO She looks very good. So you guys have any guesses on how many puppies she’s gonna have?
SHARON WAGNER OC We have a pool going.
MALE VET OC Nice.
SHARON WAGNER OC I say seven.
GIRL 1 OC I say nine.
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HOST VO They’re x-raying Widgeon today to find out how many puppies she’ll deliver. But counting puppies is not an exact science. The canine uterus is shaped like the letter Y with the branches on either side of the abdomen. While laying on her side the branches are actually resting on top of each other creating a pile of puppies and an obstructed view. Counting the faint circles of skulls on the x-ray, the vet estimates the expected number of puppies. |
MALE VET OC I’m thinking seven, plus or minus one.
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HOST VO When she whelps or gives birth the Wagners will know to call the vet for help if too much time lapses or the expected number of puppies don’t arrive. |
HOST VO The vet may intervene with drugs or perform a caesarean section and remove the pups surgically. Some brachycephalic breeds cannot give birth on their own since their heads are so big and their pelvises are so small.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC/VO For example a bulldog, you know, I, I think is a rule rather than the exception. The babies are born are by caesarean sections.
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HOST VO Delivering for this bulldog the nurses step in and rub the pups to push the water out of their lungs and get them breathing. Momma bulldog can step back in after the anesthesia wears off to nurse. |
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HOST VO Hopefully Widgeon will be able to skip the trip to the operating room. |
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HOST VO It’s now two weeks later and that magic moment has arrived. The Wagners have built a whelping box for Widgeon. It’s nest like and helps her feel secure. The box must be big enough for the dog to stretch out during delivery and to accommodate her puppies as they grow. Raised sides help keep the puppies contained as they become more precocious. Widgeon’s labored breathing means the first puppy should be here very soon. Sharon is by her side to support her through the discomfort of the contractions.
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And here comes puppy number one.
SHARON WAGNER VO Puppies are born with an amniotic sac completely around their body and their face, so it’s important for that sac to be broken so that, that they can breathe.
HOST VO Widgeon’s first pup is a girl, nearly a single pound she weighs in at just 15 ounces. Nursing stimulates the mother’s hormones and helps move the labor along.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC In the process of nursing they’re causing oxytocin to be released in the mother’s brain, which is the bonding hormone and they become inseparable and a mother and offspring.
HOST VO Large breeds like Labradors usually deliver one puppy every hour, but the time between pups can stretch to three or four hours. |
SHARON WAGNER VO/OC She absolutely knows that I'm there to support her and I’m right by her side through the whole process. No matter how long it takes.
HOST VO With six more on their way it looks like it’s going to be a long night.
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GIRL 2 OC Hi little puppy.
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HOST VO After 15 long hours all of Widgeon’s puppies have arrived safe and sound. Three black, four yellow. Four males and three females.
SHARON WAGNER VO/OC All the puppies were born kicking and screaming, which I’m very thankful for, but she did take a long time.
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That is such a beautiful little baby.
HOST VO Like Widgeon, these pups all have names that begin with W, at least for now. This one’s Wanda, and this male is William. There’s also Winifred, Walter, Whalen, Willow and Wizard. Sharon uses a colored ribbon to tell them apart.
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For the first week or so Widgeon’s puppies are just like puppies everywhere. Blind and deaf. Sealed eyes and ears protect them during delivery.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC Since they can’t see and they can’t hear really by sense of smell they find their way to one or other teat and they latch on and they start to nurse.
HOST VO Just like human mothers, canine mothers produce a first milk that contains important antibodies that boost puppy’s immune systems just after birth. It’s called colostrum and it’s vital to the puppy’s development.
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FEMALE IN WHITE OC He’s one pound, six ounces.
HOST VO At Guiding Eyes, a canine development center in Patterson New York…
FEMALE VOICE VO Come on Fresca.
HOST VO … that breeds and trains puppies to become guide dogs for the blind.
FEMALE W/RED HAIR VO Good.
HOST VO |
These three day old lab pups are developing right on cue. They were around a pound each at birth.
FEMALE IN WHITE SHIRT VO 1-74.
HOST VO And are gaining about an ounce every day.
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Puppies cannot regulate their body temperature until three weeks of age, so this heat lamp keeps their whelping box toasty. From birth through the first week of life these little darlings are totally depending on their mother who rarely leaves the whelping box.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC This is a stage when the puppies are sleeping 90 percent of the time and eating the other ten percent.
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HOST VO Before a pup is adopted between one and two weeks an amazing milestone has occurred. Their eyes have opened. Their retinas are still poorly developed, so they can’t see much, but they’re sensitive to light and begin to wobble around, and they’re also becoming socialized. A process that centers around nursing.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC Who is feeding first, who feeds the most, who’s feeding last. A lot of these personality traits |
develop within those first three weeks.
HOST VO Puppies that suckle first tend to be more dominate and self-confident as adults, while pups that are the last to nurse can be more submissive when fully grown. |
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HOST VO But all the pups feed in time and by three weeks all sorts of changes have occurred.
SARAH HODGSON VO They’re becoming more like dogs and less like little hamsters.
HOST VO Their ears have opened and they’re responding to sound. They’re beginning to stand and walk short distances. And their baby teeth, also called milk teeth, are starting to come in.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC They use them interactively like young children would use their hands.
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HOST VO And like young children puppies require playtime at this stage, with toys and siblings alike.
PROFESSOR CALDWELL-HARRIS VO/OC Dogs need to have all that social experience, rough and tumble play, chasing in order to have their good social skills.
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HOST VO They still rely on mom for food, but they don’t need her to be by their side all the time. Weaning begins at the three week mark, and that means being introduced to moist or blended puppy food for some meals. A messy endeavor indeed. |
FEMALE IN BLUE OC Come on.
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HOST VO By four weeks of age puppies’ worlds are becoming Technicolor and Guiding Eyes knows it. They bringing month old puppies into this early socialization room to expose them to a wide variety of stimuli.
MARIA DUNNE VO/OC Lots of sights and sounds and surfaces and people so that they basically say, been there, done that. It was fine, and they become confident with it.
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HOST VO Their hearing is acute at four weeks and although their vision is not fully developed yet they’re able to see. Even more amazing is how much they’re already able to learn.
FEMALE VOICE VO Sit. Yeah.
HOST VO |
Simple commands like sit, stand, and down are these puppies first lessons and when they get them right they’re even old enough to gloat.
FEMALE VOICE VO And he’s so proud of himself.
MARIA DUNNE VO/OC It’s very important to start training puppies from a very young age because puppies are like little sponges. They absorb so much information that’s given to them.
HOST VO At this stage puppies are more independent, sturdier on their feet and wildly curious about the world around them.
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But, too much activity can still tire them out.
FEMALE VOICE VO Feels like she needs a hammock.
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FEMALE W/GLASSES OC Come on. Fresca.
HOST VO When it’s time to feed, though, puppies perk up no matter what their age. At four weeks they nurse less and eat solid foods more. They can even learn table manners.
FEMALE W/GLASSES VO Yes.
MARIA DUNNE VO/OC |
It’s a good practice to hold the bowl up and have the puppies sit before feeding. This does teach any puppy some nice patience and selfcontrol.
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HOST VO The first four weeks of puppies’ lives are filled with wonder and lay some significant groundwork. |
HOST VO And if you want them to be healthy keep them warm. Remember they cannot regulate their body temperature until three weeks old. If mom strays from the whelping box, they still need temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s during these first weeks of life.
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Nursing keeps them alive, too. To receive proper nutrition the pups’ mother should consume puppy food during lactation because of its higher nutritional content. And, newborn pups are indoor creatures the first few weeks. A warm and cozy whelping box with a minimum of distraction is all they need.
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In a nutshell, healthy puppies are warm puppies. Don’t expose them to cold. Insure good nutrition by making sure mom is fed puppy food at least twice her normal amount while nursing. And, a whelping box is a must so pups and mothers have a safe place to nest. |
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HOST VO After just over a month of tender loving care, Widgeon’s litter is thriving. All seven pups have hit their development milestones. They’re playing with each other, exploring on their own and hungry for affection.
SHARON WAGNER VO This is a beautiful litter, so I feel like it’s, it’s a job well done.
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HOST VO And the time has come, Widgeon’s puppies are ready to find a new home. |
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HOST VO When this special puppy edition of Dogs 101 continues, we’ll find out how to pick the right pup for you out of a litter. And, we’ll learn how to keep a puppy safe. |
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HOST VO There’s no denying that puppies are adorable. Eyes bigger than the teddy bear’s, floppy ears, itsy bitsy bodies. Darling faces. |
DARA FOSTER VO/OC They’re just the cutest in the world.
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HOST VO The thing is this fluff ball is going to turn into an adult dog one day. So, be sure to stop and smell the roses as he goes through some extraordinary transformations along the way.
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For starters puppies grow at lightening speed.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC You get them when they’re like this big and then like three weeks later it’s like oh my god what are you.
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HOST VO At six months puppies have already reached 75 percent of their adult body weight and it’s not just their size that changes so drastically. Those little fur coats change, too.
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DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC Weimaraners are born with a tigery stripe which disappears.
HOST VO Don’t blink, because these adorable stripes don’t last long. They fade just a few days after birth.
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Are these baby Dalmatian puppies missing their spots?
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO Dalmatians are born actually white with no spots.
HOST VO The spots will appear in the first few weeks of puppyhood.
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These cuter than cute old English sheepdog puppies aren’t going to be black and white for long. In just a few months they’ll look like this.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Look at a golden retriever they can have a much darker coat when they get older.
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HOST VO The same goes for the soft coated wheaten terrier, the Belington terrier. Now you get the point. Puppies are like little chameleons. Check out that signature blue and black tongue on the Chow Chow and Sharpei. Think they were born that way? Think again. That dark tongue actually starts out pink. And the straight tails on those pug puppies will curl up into ringlets into just a week. Look at those chocolate pudding eyes. Chances are this lab was not born that way.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Very often they’re born with one eye color and |
then they end up with another eye color.
HOST VO In fact most puppies are born with blue eyes that change to a different color by the time they’re six months old. This Weimaraner pup’s baby blues will gradually change to grey, gold or greenish blue.
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This German Shepherd wasn’t born with those perfectly pricked ears.
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Dogs like German Shepherds, Chihuahuas and French Bulldogs are born with floppy ears that prick up between two and six months.
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SARAH HODGSON VO/OC I think one of the most fascinating transformations that happens with puppies is if you’ll notice that the herders start to herd, the hound dogs become much more intensely aware of scents.
HOST VO German shorthaired pointers got that name for a reason. They know hunting and pointing at just a few months old. Dachshunds will burrow and dig in their whelping box. That desire to hunt badgers underground is built in.
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Check out this Australian Shepherd pup. At just 12 weeks old he’s doing a pretty good job |
keeping all his ducks in a row. Border collies are another pooch wired with intense herding instincts that can emerge at just six weeks. This pup is three months old and he’s staring, crouching and herding sheep like he’s been doing it his whole life.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Whether it’s herding or protection, you’ve got to be prepared to cater to those instincts. |
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HOST VO You also have to cater to a puppy’s changing teeth. Something Widgeon’s pups will soon deal with when their adult teeth start growing in.
DARA FOSTER VO/OC And let me tell you the first time your puppy chews up your Manolo Blahniks you’ll feel a little bit differently about that dog.
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MALE VOICE VO Who’s chewing my shoe?
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HOST VO A puppy starts off with 28 milk teeth all with shallow roots. At about 12 weeks stronger rooted canine teeth start to erupt. Soon after molars grow leaving a pup with 42 adult teeth by the time they’re six months old. You’ll sometimes find the baby teeth in chew toys, or they’re swallowed.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC |
So this teething time is when you have to provide them with lots of things to chew on and teeth on.
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It’s almost like a baby teething.
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HOST VO Now chew on this, a puppy is considered an adult at the age of just one year. At this age he’s as physically mature as a 15 year old human, so enjoy puppyhood and all the wonderful transformations while they last, because before you know it they’ll be all grown up.
DARA FOSTER VO/OC They don’t stay small forever. Which they could, but they don’t. |
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HOST VO When this Dogs 101 puppy special returns in a moment, how do you know which puppy in a litter has the right temperament for you. And, how do you keep teething puppies from chewing up your house? |
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HOST VO So you think you’re ready for a puppy?
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC Before picking out a puppy you really need to ask yourself am I committed to this for the next 15 years of my life.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC You’ve got to think about exercise requirements, you got to think about size, you’ve got to think about expense, you got to think about grooming requirements.
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HOST VO Overwhelmed? Don’t be. Dogs 101 will guide you through all the preparations needed to pick your perfect puppy. First you have to consider your lifestyle.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC What I would encourage everyone to do is write down their five favorite hobbies. And ask yourself are these things I’m gonna want my puppy to be a part of?
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HOST VO It’s hard to estimate what your puppy will cost over its lifetime.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC I mean you’ve got food, you’ve got to buy them a bed, you got to have your crate to train them |
properly. Leashes, supplies, vet bills. That’s probably the most expensive thing.
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HOST VO Another thought is size.
DARA FOSTER VO/OC You’ve got to do your research and know what that puppy’s going to grow into.
HOST VO The paws are a great indicator of how large your new puppy will become. Grooming can be time consuming. Longer coats mean more care, so take that into consideration when picking…
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… your pooch. Now that you’ve pondered your lifestyle, let’s find a puppy.
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DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC You might wanna think how about rescuing a dog from a shelter. You can save a life.
HOST VO 60 percent of dogs that enter shelters are euthanized simply because there’s no one to adopt them.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC Adopting a puppy from a shelters is also great fun. You might get a dog that looks like a Dalmatian, but acts more like a husky.
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HOST VO There are some very simple tests you can do to help determine the temperament of your potential puppy.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC You can roll them on their back in a gentle way and just see how they respond to handling, to picking, to lifting and so on. See how they react with other dogs.
HOST VO If your puppy is willing to be held, you most likely have a people oriented puppy that will be at your side willing to please for its lifetime.
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But if the puppy is wiggling, you should be prepared for a puppy that could be a training challenge and may be more independent as an older dog. |
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HOST VO In New York City there is a program that matches puppies to people. Victoria Wells runs this one of a kind program at the ASPCA.
VICTORIA WELLS VO/OC The Meet your Match program was implemented to correctly matchup the right dog with the right home.
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HOST VO The puppies are assessed using a series of tests |
that can be performed by anyone. First, go into a room the puppy has never seen. Gauge your proximity to you. This will tell you if the independent or needy.
VICTORIA WELLS OC/VO Right now she’s gravitating towards me. I think she’s looking for a little security within a person. So she might be a little bit on the timid side. Bye-bye.
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HOST VO Is the puppy prone to separation anxiety? Leave her alone for a couple of minutes, then come back.
VICTORIA WELLS OC Hi Stacy, I’m back. Come here. Hello. I’m back. Are you happy? Well that’s good.
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I mean she’s happy to see me. I could tell by the whining that I heard through the door that she might have a little bit of an issue with being left alone.
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HOST VO Does this puppy want control? Grab her paw and hold it.
VICTORIA WELLS VO Well she’s really not giving me a problem. A lot of dogs will pull away. They’ll even start to chew on your fingers.
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HOST VO To test predatory behavior, take a toy and start playing. Does puppy chase it or tug it?
VICTORIA WELLS VO/OC She doesn’t have much of a predatory instinct I don’t think. She won’t be chasing any small animals out there.
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HOST VO Food guarding can be an issue in a house with small children. To test this, give your puppy food and take it away. To be safe, Victoria uses a fake hand. Good thing.
VICTORIA WELLS VO/OC It’s funny you’d think that a small dog like this has a guarding issue.
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HOST VO Finally is your puppy food driven or play driven. Both food and play can be a reward in training.
VICTORIA WELLS OC There you go. So she did a sit, which was good. And that just gives us some indication of her aptitude for training.
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HOST VO Once the results are calculated, this puppy will be assigned a color based on personality.
VICTORIA WELLS OC/VO |
She is four which puts her in the purple category.
HOST VO A purple rating is the easiest of puppies. Orange is the middle of the road puppy, while the most difficult to train get the color green. Now tested this puppy is ready to find its perfect match and forever home. |
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HOST VO Shelters can be great places to find a puppy, but some families prefer to use a breeder. Meet the Combs. Jason, Kim, Jillian and Lauren. They talked about adding a puppy into their family for years but it never seemed to be the right time.
KIM VO/OC I just didn’t feel like I was ready for the responsibility of a puppy.
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HOST VO A year ago they decided to start seriously looking for a puppy, but Jillian had some requirements.
JILLIAN VO/OC I’ve always wanted a dog. I don’t really like little dogs though.
HOST VO After doing their research a lab fit their requirements.
KIM VO/OC We wanted a dog that was a little more mellow, |
a little more independent. Easily trained.
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HOST VO For many people finding a good breeder is difficult. They want to find one whose mission is to better the breed’s health and temperament and not make a buck. Luckily for the Combs Widgeon’s mom, Sharon, is a family friend.
KIM VO/OC We just asked her when she planned on having another litter and how we could go about being on her waiting list. Sharon has been helping us identify which puppy would be a good fit for us.
SHARON WAGNER VO/OC The Comb family is a new dog family, so I wanted to make sure that they got a puppy that was both laid back as well as confident that was going to be easy for them to train. |
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HOST VO Five weeks is a good age to make a selection, because the puppies’ personalities are in full bloom. Sharon, the breeder, thinks two puppies in particular would fit the Comb family.
SHARON WAGNER VO Wanda and William they’re both extremely laid back, very intelligent, very bright puppies.
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HOST VO The Combs are coming to meet Wanda and William and decide who will be the new sibling |
to Jillian and Lauren.
SHARON WAGNER OC/VO So I think the two that will be best for your family is the yellow ribboned girl.
JASON VO Okay.
KIM VO Okay.
SHARON WAGNER VO And the blue ribboned male.
KIM VO Okay.
JILLIAN VO This one?
KIM VO/OC Oh no. She’s really snuggly.
JASON OC I think momma has a connection with this one.
JILLIAN OC She’s licking me.
JASON VO You comfortable with this one? Yeah.
LARUEN VO I love it. I think she’s nice.
KIM OC What do you think?
JASON VO |
I think it should be up to Jillie.
JILLIAN OC She likes me.
JASON OC Yeah.
KIM VO That your new sister? Yeah.
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HOST VO The new Comb has been chosen and her new name is Lola. Lola will spend three more weeks with her canine family to fully develop and socialize. |
HOST VO Now that Lola is finally eight weeks old, she’s ready for her first vet examine. This visit ensures Lola is free from any infectious diseases.
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MALE VET VO Okay. So she’s in good shape, too. No problems with her. Everything looks good.
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HOST VO Lola’s health checks out. She’s ready for her new family, but, are the Combs ready for her. Like all puppies Lola is going to need a lot of attention. |
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HOST VO Whether you live in an apartment or have tons of property, puppies need a stimulating environment. The right puppy can fit into any family. If you’re a young active couple look for a lively puppy. If you have small children, find a puppy that’s even tempered and social. Try to determine early if your dog is motivated by food or play. This will help with training.
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So on the whole puppies need a stimulating environment and lots of socialization. There’s nothing more important than picking a puppy that fits in with your family and lifestyle and the motto for training is early and often. |
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GIRL IN PINK SHORTS OC More puppies
HOST VO More to come on this Dogs 101 puppy special. What’s the best way to housebreak a puppy? And what’s the best way to get your house ready for a new pooch?
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HOST VO Now it’s time to play pick the pooch. Which puppy is considered one of the easiest to housebreak? Can you guess which breed it is? The answer when we come back. |
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HOST VO Which puppy is the national dog of France and also one of the easiest breeds to housebreak? It’s the standard poodle. Poodles tend to excel in all forms of obedience training and housebreaking is no exception. They’re smarts combined with their strong desire to please make training these puppies a snap. |
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HOST VO The Combs are counting the days till their new puppy comes home. They’ve even picked out a name, Lola. But what can they expect now that they’re soon to be puppy parents. Before they even bring Lola home the family is looking at some big changes. For Kim the decision to become a puppy mommy hasn’t been easy.
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JASON OC Kim has been the hold out. She’s worried about the dog destroying the house.
KIM VO/OC I just wanted to wait until the time that I felt the time was right that we could handle the extra responsibility.
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HOST VO |
Job number one make sure the home is ready for the puppy.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC This business about what you do when you bring a puppy home, I mean can be summarized in two words. Think ahead.
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SARAH HODGSON OC You wanna have your house prepared.
HOST VO Puppy proofing a home is no simple task. Luckily for the Comb family Dogs 101 expert, Sarah Hodgson is making a puppy proofing house call.
KIM OC/VO Hi. I’m a little apprehensive because I know what’s ahead of us. It is a brand new puppy.
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HOST VO Sarah loses no time finding potential puppy problem area.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC The wicker is delightful to chew. These little flaps the puppies gonna love going up over these with their little needle sharp teeth, and this, the rug is an absorbent surface which invites piddles.
HOST VO With no carpet and a simple layout the kitchen is a great puppy room…
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…for the first few weeks or until she’s house trained.
SARAH HODGSON OC/VO Now the first thing I would encourage you to do is really think of everything on the same level as your puppy. So if you kneel down you really see everything that, that will excite your puppy. I would definitely encourage you to pull these dishtowels off and then gate the area off. I want you to put a gate over here and a gate at the door.
HOST VO But Kim and Jason are worried about the puppy chewing an antique in this room.
KIM VO/OC What is the best way to deter her from doing that?
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HOST VO Luckily Sarah has a solution in her bag of tricks. Non toxic bitter spray. No puppy owner would be without it.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC It’s a bitter tasting liquid that you use to spray on object to discourage them.
HOST VO Bitter spray is completely safe but it tastes awful.
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The Combs have chosen the sun room for a puppy den. Here’s where they plan on crate training Lola.
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Crate training teaches a god to accept a crate as a familiar safe place to stay. Dogs are den dwelling creatures so a puppy will naturally draw comfort from a confined space. If you put the puppy in the crate when it gets tired, it should take to the crate in no time.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC Tuck their little tail if they’re a little resistant. Give them something pleasant to chew or a few little treats and go.
HOST VO Crate training is also useful for housebreaking because a puppy will not eliminate where it sleeps.
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So did they make the right choice for their crate training spot?
KIM VO/OC Would you recommend this room for her crate?
SARAH HODGSON OC I wouldn’t and here’s why.
KIM VO Okay.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC This room is very alive. You wanna really bring the crate into the inner sanctum of your house, |
into a dark room.
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HOST VO It’s clear the Comb family has their work cut out for them.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC You’re gonna wanna remember that when she comes home she’s gonna be leaving her first mommy and her first siblings and she’s gonna be a little sad and disoriented for a while.
HOST VO The Combs get busy following Sarah’s advice puppy proofing the home. Rugs are removed, gates put up, fragile items stored. It’s a lot of work but despite Kim’s early resistance, she can’t wait to finally welcome Lola home.
KIM VO/OC I’m very excited. It is a long time coming. So, you know, we’re really viewing this as an addition to our family.
HOST VO The day that’s been circled on the calendar finally arrives.
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The family piles into the car to bring home the newest family member.
JILLIAN VO/OC I’m so excited that we get to bring her home today.
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The girls can barely contain their excitement.
JILLIAN VO/OC There she is.
KIM VO Hi Lola.
JILLIAN VO She’s so cute.
HOST VO At a healthy 16 pounds, eight week old Lola is ready to leave the nest. Breeder Sharon Wagner carefully goes through vet records, feeding and sleeping schedules and a few quick puppy care tips.
KIM VO/OC Holy cow. This is more than when I brought you home.
JILLIAN VO She’s a little princess.
LAUREN VO I love her, I love her, I love her.
KIM VO Are you ready to come home?
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HOST VO It’s a day of joy for the Combs. This ride home will also be a critical first step in their relationship with Lola.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC You want this to be as relaxing a car ride home |
as possible. Bring something old from their whelping box. A toy, a rag that they slept on. Bring something new. Something that has familiar scents from your home.
HOST VO With something old and something new in the crate Lola is a little more comfortable but she can still sense that her world is about to change.
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HOST VO The Comb family has already made some major adjustments to get ready for Lola. But the real work of raising a puppy has only just begun. |
HOST VO When Dogs 101 comes back Lola’s new family will earn about housebreaking and take Lola to puppy kindergarten. Plus, Animal Planet expert trainer Zach George offers some at home puppy training tips. |
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HOST VO It’s been quite a journey for Lola. We followed her from birth to adoption. She’s now enjoying her first day as a member of the Comb family. But how will Lola do her first night.
JASON VO/OC Of course there’s a little nerves as far as, you |
know, keeping an eye on her. Is she gonna keep us up at night.
HOST VO Play time just before bed is a good way to get a puppy tired enough to sleep soundly. Also make sure to put away food and water in the early evening. This will reduce middle of the night bathroom trips. It’s also a good idea to encourage an elimination before bed. If a puppy sleeps for a few hours and then starts crying, it probably needs the bathroom. You’ll have to get up and take it to the toilet area.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC To start with you may still have to get up at 4:30 in the morning for a couple of weeks. It’s like having a new baby.
HOST VO But if it cries incessantly the puppy is likely scared to be alone.
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A little tough love is the best remedy. A soothing hand to comfort the puppy is fine, but don’t coddle it. Let the puppy cry as hard as it is. Hopefully within a night or two it will adjust to sleeping alone. After Lola’s big first day, she surprises everyone by sleeping through the night.
KIM VO/OC She whined a little bit. I would say maybe for half an hour and…
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… then she settled in and she slept right through |
the night.
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HOST VO Dogs 101 expert Sarah Hodgson helped the Combs puppy proof their home. Lola’s now been with the family for a week and Sarah’s back to see how everyone’s doing.
KIM OC So our biggest problem right now is nipping.
HOST VO Like a newborn infant, Lola uses her mouth as a way to interact with the world around her. Nipping is also a way for her to communicate.
SARAH HODGSON OC/VO Where as a human baby will cry, with a puppy a puppy will mouth when they have need confusion.
HOST VO Luckily most experts agree at eight to ten weeks of age puppies gain cognitive learning activity, which is good because Lola needs to learn that nipping is a no-no. So what’s Sarah’s preferred method to discourage nipping?
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Butter.
SARAH HODGSON VO So what you wanna be communicating is that the puppy has to treat differently than fur. Your hand…
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First you apply a little frozen butter to the skin. Frozen butter is used because it won’t melt and is less messy. Sarah says the puppy will lick the butter and not bite the skin.
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You should also monitor children as some play can encourage nipping. Responsible play leads to proper socialization and sets the foundation for training. |
HOST VO No one knows that better than Animal Planet’s expert trainer Zach George. Today Zach’s going to lend a hand to Hill and her ten week old border collie puppy, Bee.
HILL HOLLAND OC She’s never been on a leash before so we’ll see how she does.
HOST VO Properly leash training is critical to keeping dogs safe and secure.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC We’re gonna start off with some…
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… leash training today because that’s a very fundamental part of teaching a young dog. They’ve got to be comfortable on that leash so that we can control their environment. It’s very normal for them to bite at it and feel at it to see what it is that’s around them. They’re very curious about it. What we don’t wanna do is pull on that leash initially.
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HOST VO Bee seems to take to the lead line well, so Zak transitions her to the six foot leash. A special treat, in this case turkey, is used to encourage Bee to stay close.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC So this is a form of her currency here. We want her to know that it pays, so to speak, to stay near us.
HOST VO It’ll take a few days for Bee to really get it but she’s definitely a quick study. Before going to the next level Zach introduces Bee to another training tool.
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The clicker.
ZAK GEORGE OC This sound means good dog, I like what you did, you win a prize.
HILL OC Okay.
ZAK GEORGE OC What do you think the prize is gonna be here?
HILL OC Turkey.
ZAK GEORGE OC/VO Beautiful. You got it. Exactly right. Beautiful.
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Once clicker conditioning is set Bee is ready to learn come, when called and stay. These are critical commands and they’re not just about discipline, they can save a life.
ZAK GEORGE OC Just because our dog wants to run into the street and chase a squirrel doesn’t mean it’s okay.
HOST VO The key to teaching this command is to convince the puppy that it pays to obey.
ZAK GEORGE OC/VO Always call them in a happy voice. And the crazier you act, the happier you act the more likely they are gonna, they’re gonna come to you.
HOST VO Bee catches on quickly. But how will she do with stay?
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Very important to incorporate visual…
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…and verbal signals with stay. Stay. One, two, three. Yes, very nice. Notice, I mean eye to eye. This is where training happens.
HOST VO Hill uses both visual and clear verbal commands. She emphasizes her commands by clicking and treating when Bee obeys and there’s no doubt Bee is eager to please.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Teaching a dog is not about dominating him, it’s |
| about communicating with him. |
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HOST VO Like many new puppy parents housebreaking is the first trick the Combs want to teach Lola.
SARAH HODGSON VO When a puppy is very young they have no sphincter control. Anything that’s in the belly or in the intestines gets pushed right out.
HOST VO Accidents are inevitable with puppies because the bladder is still developing.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC Pick a toilet area that’s easy to find. Put them in a neat little corner off the periphery of their play area.
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HOST VO The Combs have opted to go straight for outdoor housebreaking. It’s a good idea to start housebreaking by six to eight weeks.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC Each time you take the puppy out you wanna have an identifiable word. Outside. And take the puppy to the door.
HOST VO Sarah hangs a small bell near the door at muzzle level. The idea here is to condition Lola to ring the bell when she needs to eliminate. The key to housebreaking is routine and reward. Deliberate use of affection and attention is a |
must.
JASON VO Good girl.
HOST VO So when it’s time for Lola to go, she’s taken directly outside with as little fuss as possible.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC Use your attention to reinforce her cooperation.
HOST VO No puppy will be housebroken overnight. Accidents happen. When they do, harsh discipline will get you nowhere.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC You never correct a potty accident in the house. Rubbing your dog’s nose in it, spanking them to try and, and relay the point that look you’ve just done a bad thing is absolutely ineffective. |
HOST VO Lola is well on her way to becoming the perfect pup. Now she’s about to begin the next step in her training. She’ll learn skills that just might save her life. Next, on Dogs 101.
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Lola the puppy is growing up by leaps and bounds. She’s now nearly 12 weeks old. As she quickly matures she’s now at the threshold of a big moment in her young puppy life.
LAUREN OC We’re taking her to her first day of school.
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HOST VO Puppy kindergarten may sound like fun and games but it actually provides a puppy with skills that can save its life. As tragic as it sounds, anti-social behavior like biting can make a dog dangerous and may require it to be put down, that’s why properly socializing a puppy is so important.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC The more encounter the more people the more dogs the more animals they encounter the more manageable they are going to be for the rest of their life.
HOST VO Nicole Boulanger and Shari Sarris preside over puppy kindergarten.
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It’s sort of like puppy class 101.
NICOLE BOULANGER VO/OC Yes. Puppy socialization class is important because up until about 16 weeks we have this really wide window where we can help form the puppies into confident happy members of the family.
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HOST VO The class is as much about training the parents as puppies. In fact, the class begins with puppy parents airing concerns.
FEMALE W/BLOND HAIR OC We’re having an issue with the nipping as well.
FEMALE IN WHITE SHIRT VO/OC He has a little attitude problem.
SHARI SARIS VO/OC We let the owners air their grievances to start with because while their puppies are very cute, they can be very frustrated with them.
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HOST VO Then comes agility training. This is about winning best in show. Here puppies learn how to navigate stairs, inclines and other obstacles they’ll encounter everyday. And finally it’s time for puppy play. Lola starts out a little shy, but in no time she’s making friends.
KIM VO/OC I think she did a great job. I think it was good to see her interact with the other dogs.
HOST VO Lola still has a lot of growing to do, but her new family is providing a supportive, comfortable and patient home. For the Combs what they’re giving to Lola pales in comparison to what she’s giving them.
JASON VO/OC I love her. She’s everything I imagined.
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LAUREN VO/OC Lola’s like my best friend. |
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HOST VO Is it the sheer cuteness? Perhaps it’s the innocence or maybe it’s the unquestioning loyalty and love. Whatever it is, it’s clear, puppies have a hold on us.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC There’s so much joy that comes from raising a puppy well. They love you with that unconditional endless devotion. |
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HOST VO At 12 weeks old your puppy is starting to look at act more like a dog. But family members still need to handle with care.
SARAH HODGSON VO/OC A puppy is much more like a young child than a stuffed animal.
HOST VO Between eight and 12 weeks it’s important to begin socialization and obedience training.
DARA FOSTER VO/OC The first time you’re able to sit your, teach your puppy how to sit down. The first time you’re able to successfully get that puppy to go potty outside, you feel like you’ve run a marathon.
HOST VO It’s now time to expose your puppy to as many experiences as possible, but it’s important to |
keep the environment controlled and safe.
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Avoid extreme temperatures for sure. Between eight and 12 weeks puppies are also specifically vulnerable as they go through a vaccination program.
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DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC Make sure that any dogs you introduce were healthy and vaccinated.
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HOST VO Every puppy is unique and some breeds develop quicker than others. But in general at eight to 12 weeks puppies are specifically vulnerable to diseases. Puppies are ready to explore, but keep them in a safe temperature controlled environment. Training and socialization should definitely be well underway. And remember it’s still more like an infant than a robust adult dog.
JASON VO Good girl Lola, Good girl. |
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HOST VO So to sum up, if you’re thinking about a puppy consider your lifestyle when choosing the kind of dog you want. Look into adopting from a shelter. If you go to a breeder, check their reputation. You want to pick out your puppy when it’s about five weeks old. |
HOST VO And take him home around eight weeks. Training can begin as soon as the puppy comes home. Check with your vet to get on a vaccine schedule. And begin socializing your new family member early. Remember a new pet is a commitment. You’re going to care for a dog for 15 years or more. If you’ve made up your mind, do your homework. Check out petfinder.com and choose your next best friend wisely. |
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