Category: Puppies

The sooner a puppy goes of a family, the better it is for socialization. Usually between 5-6 weeks old the puppy are eating dry food on their own. They have major sharp teeth and the mother no longer wants to nurse them. And she begins to bite them for trying to nurse. Also they begin to bond with each other and ignore the humans.

GERMAN SHEPHERDS ears usually stand naturally by 4-5 months old. They will cross, go outwards, one up and one down, beforehand. If they are extra large or heavy they may struggle to go up. Or if they are teething early, it may slow the process. If I get concerned about an ear or two, I go to a vet, that specializes in ear cropping and get them taped up for a week or two. I have done that a few times with great success. But usually they go up on their own.

Puppies sleep 18 hours per day. If active during the day, they will sleep through the nite. If they sleep all day, they will be up all nite.

Puppy owner asked, “how often can we bathe our puppy?”

Our answer:

“As often as you like, as long as you use baby shampoo and hair conditioner, afterwards.” Be sure to use mineral oil drops in EYES before and swimmer’s Ear, in EARS, afterwards.

Wire crate with divider 36”x25”
Dog food.
3-5 indestructible chew toys. Best ones made by “Kong.”
2 Bowls that attach to inside of crate, so pup doesn’t spill them.
Thick towels for pup to sleep on. Easier to wash than mats.
Cheap Collar and leash. Will need better ones later.
Treats, made in USA only, no rawhide. Also available from Life’s abundance.
corral, wire. 8’x3’
Vitamins, we have the best ones, required for the warranty.

Puppies grow quickly and require a balanced diet, with vitamins and nutrients to develop properly. Packaged, highly processed, Dog foods, “kibble and canned,” typically use, REJECTED, FDA meats etc. and over load it with, cancer causing, BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) preservatives. The World Health Organization and the US Dept of Health, have stated that they cause cancer. Their ingredients, often cause allergies and diseases, like diabetes, assuring veterinarians stay busy. They also shorten your dogs life expectancy. From 20 to 12 years.

The only kibble, dry dog food that uses, human grade, FDA approved meats, WITHOUT preservatives, is “Life’s Abundance.” Available by direct delivery, only. Ships from the factory, to your house. We also sell it. Call me to place an order. It is what your puppy has been eating. For the health warranty, a continued diet of Life’s Abundance is required.

FEED 2-3 times daily, as much, as they want. Don’t limit the amount.

If you change food abruptly, it will cause diarrhea. To change foods gradually, mix 50-50 for a week. Often dogs and puppies don’t eat for a day or two when going to a new home.

Puppies play by biting but their teeth are very sharp. We don’t allow it. Instant corrections, and consistency, will stop it. Seems sad to punish them but worse when they draw blood.

Your puppy can start learning it’s name, to come when called, and to walk on a leash, right away. Use treats, praise, and a lite leash. To walk on a leash, let the puppy drag the leash around for a day, then pick it up and Coax the puppy to follow you. Teach it to walk on your left side.

Puppies should learn to never walk in the street, sit before crossing a street, and entering or exiting, all doors and gates.

Professional training should start at 3 months old. At that time, your pup can learn to walk, perfectly by your side, without a leash, come when called, immediately, every time, sit and lie down, when told once, and stay for long periods. Few trainers know how to train, with out, a leash. “On-leash” training, will only work, reliably, with a leash attached.

Protection training starts at 8 weeks old. “You” decide how aggressive you want you pup to be, starting at 8 weeks old. Never allow barking at other dogs. If you want your dog to bark at strangers, encourage it, when it does. If you don’t like it, stop it, immediately, when it does. Barking is a prelude to biting.

Exercise is very important for young pups to develop proper muscles, resulting in straight legs.

Without it, they can develop crooked limbs.

Playing with other dogs is great. Running around the yard, chasing things is also good. Because pup is in the crate a lot, during house breaking, it is especially important that they get a lot of exercise.

After vaccinations are complete, jogging, runs and walks are needed.

Teaching pup to go to the bathroom outside.

There is an EASY way and a hard way. Letting the puppy roam around the house or a room, with pee pads is the HARD way. Doing this is contrary to a dogs natural instinct, to go outside to relieve themselves. This method will eventually fail, with your dog going all over your house. Punishing the puppy for doing, what comes naturally to them, will exacerbate the problem. The EASY way, is to crate the puppy, when you are not holding it, playing with it, giving it your undivided attention or it is outside. A small space, in a divided crate, will cause the puppy to “hold it” until you take it outside. If your puppy cries in the crate, a small stuffed animal helps. Puppies should go out every two hours, at 2 months old, every 3 hours at three months old, every four hours at 4 months old, etc. Some puppies can last thru the nite, if taken out, just before you retire for the nite and then, first thing in the morning. If not, you will need to take it out in the middle of the nite. When playing with the puppy and it starts to circle, sniffing around, it needs to go out. Better to teach your puppy a scheduled time, than waiting for the puppy to decide. Their bodies acclimate to schedules.

Using a corral, in the yard, will teach your puppy to go in a designated area, rather than, all over the yard.