Your pup is officially 10 weeks old, which means they're in a super important time in their development – the critical socialization period.
During this time, they're going to be learning all about the big, wide world around them, from new smells and sounds to weirdly shaped objects and other furry creatures.
And let's be real – they're probably going to do a fair amount of stumbling, falling, and generally looking goofy as they work on their coordination and balance.
This is the perfect time to start using positive reinforcement techniques to help them develop good habits and build a solid foundation for future learning. So let's get to it, team – the world is your pup's playground, and they're ready to explore!
This week's focus:
Puppy socialization stages
When puppy daycare is an option
Teaching your dog name recognition
Nail trimming tips
Interactive food puzzles and more
Stages of Behavior Development
Periods of increased fear are normal during early puppyhood (and again during adolescence). This is the brain's way of balancing a puppy's newfound curiosity in an effort to keep them safe. If you notice that your puppy is showing increased fear compared to usual, don't panic. Don't force your puppy to interact with things that freak them out. Instead, go slow, provide calm reassurance, and stick with easy socialization exercises. Click the link below for tips and to see what the stages of socialization are.
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When Can Your Puppy Go to Doggie Daycare?
Daycare can be beneficial for puppies as long as it's done right. Many daycares will not accept puppies until some vaccines have been completed, and some require all vaccines (including rabies), which happens around 20 weeks old.
Beyond vaccination requirements for health and safety reasons, it's important to realize that young puppies need to be carefully managed with other dogs to prevent negative experiences or learning bad habits. If you're looking for a daycare for your young puppy, choose one that has a specific area just for puppies in the same age range, has intensive cleaning protocols, carefully manages play, and incorporates lots of rest time during the day.
Cooperative Care Training: Make Veterinary & Grooming Visits Easier
Start early to help your puppy create positive associations with being handled, whether at home, the vet office, or groomer. It's possible to teach your puppy how to be an active — and happy — participant in their own care. It's called cooperative care, and it's life-changing!
Teaching your puppy to love being in their crate is a process and it takes time! Daytime crating tends to take more practice than nighttime crating for puppies. Feed your puppy their meals in their crate, play crate games, and never let them "cry it out."
What's the most helpful training skill to teach a new puppy? Their name! If your puppy responds to their name, you can use it in a variety of contexts, from calling them to you to preventing unwanted behavior. It's also a needed foundation before teaching them to come when called.
Help your puppy acclimate to different sounds they'll hear throughout their life. This helps prevent fear and stress. Use our free phone app for recordings to use and track your puppy's progress. If you don't want to use the checklist in the mobile app, visit our puppy socialization page for sounds.
How Long Can Your Pup Hold It?
The younger the puppy, the more frequently they must pee. It's best to take a 10-week-old puppy out to potty every hour during the day unless they're napping. But once they wake up, take them out right away! A dog typically doesn't have full control of their bladder until they're 4 to 6 months.
Trimming Nails: Options Between Using Clippers or a Grinder
When it comes to trimming your puppy's nails, you have options. While traditional nail clippers work for many dogs, the sound and sensation can be intimidating and uncomfortable. Many people are also worried about how easy it is to "quick" a nail with regular trimmers. A nail grinder tool can be a quieter and more gentle alternative.
Ultimately, it depends on your and your pup's needs and comfort level. Try both to see what works best – just be sure to use plenty of treats and snuggles to make the experience a positive one. And training starts with just touching and massaging paws, followed by a yummy treat, so get started!
Is your puppy peeing in their crate overnight? Should you remove their water bowl before going to bed? This typically isn't recommended but can be something to talk to your vet about. Repeated accidents at night are either about access to water or it can be a medical issue.
Ditch the food bowl! Use interactive feeders and dog puzzles to burn puppy energy, slow down eating, and build your puppy's confidence. Start with the easiest level of puzzle and make sure any stuffed feeders are easy to "de-stuff" so your puppy doesn't get frustrated and give up.
While dog parks can be a fun place for dogs to socialize and play, it's important to hold off on bringing your young puppy there until they're a bit older. Not only can they be overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sights and sounds, but there can also be health and safety risks, and exposure to diseases.
So instead of hitting up the dog park, opt for puppy playdates with dogs you know and trust or enroll in a puppy socialization class to get your little one started on the right paw.
They're tempting, but it's best to avoid retractable leashes! Not only can they actually teach your puppy to pull, but they also present some extreme safety risks. Avoid them altogether or only use them once your dog is a rockstar at loose leash walking.
Make your puppy's well-being a priority by avoiding common safety hazards and training mistakes. Our 101Essential Tips book series comes in paperback and digital, and features bite-sized, easy-to-follow expert advice. Prevent problems before they happen.
