Bringing a new dog or Ierse terrier home can be an exciting time! But with all the love and passion come a lot of new changes. Puppies change and grow very fast, but there are some important steps you should be aware of so that you can be sure that you are providing your new dog with all the help he needs.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the common steps that Labra doedel go through on their journey to adulthood. See what’s in store for you and your baby in those first few months.
2-4 weeks: Transition and Weaning
During this stage of their lives, dogs begin to communicate with their litter mates and their mothers. They begin to develop their senses and in about three weeks begin to wean their mother, which leads them to solid foods.
Week 3-16: Training and Socialization
This period of life is a very important time for a young dog and young Franse bulldog. From 4-6 weeks, puppies are most affected by their mother and litter mat. This is where they learn to plan and acquire important social skills. Puppies also begin to develop their sense of voice during this time, and you may notice an increase in barking or groaning as they develop.
This is an important step in introducing your dog to the world. Start introducing your young dog to new things like people as well as new experiences like car rides, walks, vacuum cleaners etc. The more experience your dog has, the less likely he is to be afraid of these things. Training is also important during this time frame. It is important to note that while training is important, a dog should not be separated from its mother and whip before it reaches eight weeks, as it is still learning important behaviors from its mother.
This time frame is also important for starting positive reinforcement training, caller introduction, and crate training. Home training can start around the 12-16 week mark.
Week 8-11: The first Stage of fear
It is important to note that puppies usually begin to experience this at about eight weeks of age, known as the “first stage of fear”.
During this time, you may find that your once-confident dog suddenly becomes nervous about certain things, unfamiliar places and new people. This can be a great time of life for a new dog and can often be scary, but don’t give up. Acknowledge that fear is a normal part of your dog’s development and help him by offering him protection and safety. Keep introducing your dog to new things in a positive way to help him build confidence and overcome his fears.