Weaning

We've already seen how at the first month you start giving the puppies a little bit of food. This is very important before you go about with the weaning. When your puppies are already a month and a half old, the time has come for them to be separated from their mother so that they can stop nursing and she can rest. From this moment on you have to artificially feed the puppies; however, this does not mean that you have to start using "artificial products" as you still have to give them natural food.

Under no circumstance should you, hoping to gain time, give away (or sell) the puppies before they have turned two months old. Bear in mind that, if you weaned the puppies at a month and a half, they need at least a couple of weeks to be able to lose the habit of breast-feeding.

Now it is very important for you to do this following anti-parasite treatment when the puppies have reached two months of age. Remember that this treatment is not only for animals that have parasites but also as a preventive measure which must always be done before administering the distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and Leptospirosis vaccines. These vaccines (which must be administered by a veterinarian) can be administered four or five days after having received the anti-parasite treatment. Bear in mind that the dose of the anti-parasite treatment depends on the weight and age of the puppy. As it is not easy for us to determine the exact amount your puppy might need, it is always advisable to ask the veterinarian.

If the animal does not show signs of diarrhea within the next five days, you can turn the puppy in to its new owner, who must promise and guarantee to give the puppy the correct treatment. Is your responsibility to make sure that the new owners of your puppies are as responsible and gentle as you are. If the puppy does have diarrhea, you must get in touch with the doctor as it might have serious consequences if not treated promptly.

When you turn the puppy into its new owner, you must also tell them on one day they were administered vaccine and on what day they should get their second shot. Any information regarding symptoms that the animal might have, as well as the characteristics of the mother and father, should be given to the future owner so that he can no what to expect. In addition, it is advisable to keep in contact with the new owners of your puppies in order to make sure that everything is going fine with them.

Bear in mind that all the care that is given to the puppy throughout the first few months of his life can be decisive for the rest of the dog's health life, thus putting your animal on the road to a long life.

You mustn't rush into bathing the puppy before it is time. Bear in mind that it depends on the breed you have. Later on we'll talk more about bathing dogs.

Both puppies and adults need to eat their food and temperature of approximately 30 or 40°C; in other words, warm. Food that is too hot can damage the animal's sense of smell.