We hope this email finds you with both hands and socks intact because raising a puppy can be quite a rollercoaster! We've been there, dodging those razor-sharp puppy teeth while simultaneously trying to teach "sit" and resisting the urge to just cuddle with them all day long.
We're here to guide you through this wild, yet awesome journey with expert tips, tail-wagging tricks, and some well-deserved laughter along the way. So buckle up, grab a treat (for both you and your pup), and let's navigate the joys and challenges of this delightful stage of puppyhood together!
This week's focus:
Your puppy is ready for (appropriate) play with friends
The colors your dog sees best
Teach come when called
Getting your puppy prepared for the "cone of shame"
Why some peanut butters are safer than others
Alternatives to cones, and more.
Free to Play!
If your puppy has completed their puppy vaccination series, then you can schedule some fun play dates with other puppies or puppy-friendly and vaccinated adult dogs. Your pup may also now be eligible for doggie daycare.
While watching dogs play can be entertaining – it's no time to relax and munch on popcorn. You'll want to monitor for "good" and "bad" play. Keeping it fun and positive for everyone is key to preventing issues like fear or aggression later on. Watch for loose, wiggly bodies, lots of natural pauses, and role reversals during play.
It may be tempting to let your pup roam free in a large open field or beach, but letting them off leash can be dangerous before they have a solid recall. Plus, there are leash laws to respect.
Behaviorally, a dog typically doesn't have the training skills to be off leash until around 2 years old. But there's no rush! Focus on the foundations of off-leash training before you jump into the deep end.
Did you know that dogs aren't totally color blind? While we humans see a rainbow of colors, our dogs see the world in shades of blue, yellow, and gray.
Knowing what colors they can see is helpful for picking out toys or setting up the environment to make it easier for them to navigate.
Looking for a fun (and safe) fetch stick? We have the best one, and it comes in colors that are easy for humans to see too!
Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called
Your puppy's recall is by far the most important skill to learn for safety. And a reliable recall means lots of practice and creating a super duper positive association with hearing the word "Come!"
The number one rule with training recall is whenever you call your dog, GREAT THINGS HAPPEN! And ONLY great things happen!
If your pup isn't spayed or neutered yet, then it's time to get them ready for post-op recovery. Wearing a cone can be stressful (but is SO important), so introducing one – whether a hard cone, soft cone, donut, or bodysuit – early and in a positive way will make it easier to put on and take off when it's actually needed.
Three years after using the video above to prep for his neuter surgery, Finn still willingly comes running to put on his cone when needed.
Does Your Puppy Have Tummy Problems?
Your sweet puppy is starting to get the opportunity to expand their world and meet new friends. All this excitement (and anxiety) that is associated with all these changes can cause your pup to have some gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea. Additionally, there is always the possibility that they can pick up a stomach virus or intestinal parasites during their exploration, which can also lead to diarrhea.
Puppies can get dehydrated quickly, so addressing diarrhea promptly is important. If your dog does develop diarrhea, consult with your veterinarian to see if they recommend probiotics.
Probiotics are always a good idea, but especially if you have a puppy that tends to be anxious, start them on a probiotic to help support their gut microbiome to hopefully lessen issues with diarrhea as well as boost their immune system. Purina's FortiFlora (featured in the link below) can be given to pups as young as 8 weeks old.
Your puppy is still teething, likely until around 6 months old. It is important to regularly check their mouth to be sure that the 'baby' teeth are falling out as the permanent teeth are coming in and that there aren't any gaps where there used to be a baby tooth.
If you notice two teeth in the same spot, such as two canine teeth or a double row of front teeth, you should consult with your veterinarian. To protect your puppy's permanent teeth and prevent future issues, it may be necessary to have the baby teeth extracted.
Additionally, if you notice that there are 'gaps' between teeth or openings where there used to be a baby tooth, your dog may have a missing tooth (broken off without your knowledge) or a tooth that isn't erupting. You should alert your veterinarian. To confirm what is going on, your veterinarian may recommend dental radiographs. Any broken tooth must be extracted. If the tooth is present below the gum line, your puppy's age determines treatment. If your dog is less than 9 months old, an eruption path needs to be cleared, this involves removal of the overlying gum tissue and/ or bone. If your puppy is over 9 to 10 months of age, extraction of the tooth will be the likely course of action. Oral care is very important and should be maintained throughout your dog's entire life.
Consider Stem Cell Retrieval at the Time of Spay/Neuter
The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine is proving to be highly beneficial to our dogs. Currently, stem cells are used to help treat bone injuries, joint issues such as osteoarthritis, or ligament issues like cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears. Dogs of any age can have their stem cells harvested, but the easiest and most cost-effective is when they're under anesthesia for their spay or neuter.
The stem cells are taken from the reproductive organ tissue and stored for later use. Plan for the future and discuss this option with your veterinarian prior to surgery.
Watching puppies play can be tons of fun, but can also feel overwhelming to manage. Check out this video to see examples of polite and positive play behaviors to look for.
Escalators and elevators can injure and even kill dogs when accidents happen. Generally, it is recommended to avoid escalators because with all the moving parts and the type of materials used in escalators, it's easy for a dog to become entangled or caught accidentally.
The dangerous part of elevators for dogs is getting on or off. Keep your dog on a short leash when entering or exiting, and be sure to hold the door open until your dog has cleared the doors.
Some Peanut Butters Have a Toxic Ingredient that Kills Dogs
While peanut butter has a lot of great uses, such as distracting your pup during a bath or hiding pills, not all brands are safe. Even with brands you may have bought before, you must read the ingredient labels to ensure it doesn't contain the all-natural ingredient xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. It is also recommended to avoid those brands with sugar when possible.
In the Vetted Products section below, we list which brands are safe and not safe. But since you're here, there are over 700 more common household items that contain this sugar-free substitute, even clothing, as it has a cooling and antimicrobial effect.
We've reviewed products for safety, efficacy, and durability. What we recommend is veterinary and behavior-approved.
Alternatives to Cones
If you're leaning away from using the hard cone for your puppy for any future recovery from surgery or injury, then check out options: from recovery suits to "donuts" or soft cones.
When making your puppy enrichment puzzles or getting them comfortable with nail trims or baths, you likely will bust out the peanut butter. Make sure you're using safe PB that doesn't contain the toxic to dogs ingredient xylitol.
If you want to practice your puppy's come-when-called when out and about, then you'll need a long leash to make sure they stay safe! Using a long leash means you can practice recall in local parks and fields, and practice adding distance to the skill.
