When do a puppy's eyes and ears open?
Puppies are born completely blind and deaf. They have no teeth, cannot walk, and are in great need of warmth and care. At the beginning of life, every day of these babies is occupied by sleeping and eating. Only when their eyes open do they get used to it a little and begin to take steps towards an independent life.
Features of opening eyes and ears
How many days after birth do babies begin to see and hear? First, after about a week, the puppies' ears open. At the same time, at first they are able to distinguish only loud sounds. Gradually, day by day, hearing begins to work better.
The eyes open a little later, from the tenth to the fourteenth day. And then, at first, the image is not clear, only light, shadow, outlines and contours of objects are clearly distinguishable. After three weeks, when the pets grow up, their eyes begin to see normally.
Possible complications
Small, recently born puppies are very vulnerable. They need constant supervision and proper care. If after two to four weeks your tiny pet’s eyes and ears do not open, you should pay attention to their condition. This is not always a sign of complications, as it takes longer in some dog breeds.
Sometimes this can be caused by an infection. In such cases, it is advisable to seek help from a veterinarian. In the worst case scenario, puppies may develop entropion of the eyelids, requiring surgical intervention in the eyes. When it comes to hearing, deafness is very difficult to diagnose at an early age. If in doubt, it is better to consult a specialist on the same day.
When do puppies open their eyes after birth?
This stage takes place in the first two weeks of a puppy's life.
At this stage, the puppy requires constant rest, he will sleep up to 70% of the time, and devote the remaining 30% to meeting his nutritional needs. During this time, the puppy cannot see or hear and is completely dependent on the mother, who provides him with warmth and keeps him clean by licking him. While sleeping, puppies may have characteristic twitching movements. This is called "active sleep" and helps strengthen your puppy's muscles so that he can start walking as quickly as possible. Since puppies at this time cannot yet regulate their temperature, they sleep huddled together, often on top of each other, to maintain warmth.
Take time off from work so you can spend as much time at home as possible. This way you can observe how the bitch behaves, especially if this is her first litter. Note for yourself the important moments of your mother’s behavior. If you plan to regularly breed puppies in the future, the experience gained will be invaluable to you.
During a normal birth, and if the bitch is already experienced, it will not be difficult to care for the babies, since from birth they already have certain reflexes. An adult dog has a very strong maternal instinct. If this is not the first litter, the bitch will carefully look after the children, carefully licking them, protecting them and feeding them.
Try to be there for a few days after giving birth.
If the bitch had a caesarean section, in the first days after the operation she will not be able to independently care for the offspring. You will have to take this responsibility upon yourself. Massage the babies' bellies with a damp, warm cloth. Having recovered from anesthesia, the bitch may be shocked: where did so many new residents come from?
There is a high probability of such a development of events if this birth is her first. When the puppies start crawling around and looking for the nipple, this can make the bitch nervous. Therefore, when the animal has completely recovered from anesthesia, place one puppy in its bed and monitor the reaction. Only if everything went well, can you move all the other kids there.
The mother will be cautious and a little aggressive with them until she gets used to it. So try to be there constantly for a few days after giving birth. If this is not the first litter, she will accept them normally and will properly care for the puppies, even with an unhealed suture. In order not to harm the mother, you can keep her newborn babies separately for several days, in a box with a heating pad, placing them next to it only during the feeding period.
If the bitch has no interest in babies, she may be sick. Call a veterinarian immediately for an examination.
Babies are born very tiny and are completely dependent on their mother. Their eyes and ear canals are closed. Many new breeders are interested in when puppies open their eyes. This usually occurs 10-16 days after birth. The eyes can open either in one day or in 3-4 days.
We must not forget that each animal develops at its own speed, and some puppies may lag behind their brothers and sisters. Normally, a healthy baby's eyes should open before the 20th day. Such a delay does not indicate a developmental delay, defects or any diseases.
From the 18th day, you can help the puppy a little - very carefully and gently wipe the eyes with warm water. The water should be boiled, the cotton wool should be sterile, and your hands should be clean. A new tampon for each eye. Do not tear your eyelids or touch your eyes with dirty hands. If the puppy has not opened its eyes after reaching 20 days of age, contact your veterinarian.
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When puppies open their eyes, they begin to explore the world around them. They develop preferences and their character emerges. This is a period of active development and the beginning of socialization.
Child support - an obligation or an amicable decision
Owners of beautiful, purebred dogs often come to the conclusion of professionally breeding their four-legged friends. Beginners in this business are faced with many questions and nuances of this process. What does alimony puppy mean?
The subtlety of the procedure is the need for a compensatory representative of the breed to be provided to the owner of the dog.
But it is possible to pay a fee instead of transferring one of the members to the offspring.
This issue is resolved by mutual agreement of the breeders.
Oral agreement
In most cases, a deal is concluded verbally between the owners of our little ones' purebred friends. Before mating, all details and wishes are discussed. The parties agree on a remuneration for the owner of the dog.
The boy's owner decides to take the money or choose the best representative of the offspring. If the mating result is negative, dog breeders discuss the period of next contact between their four-legged pets.
It is not always that the owners of our smaller friends, having concluded an oral agreement, adhere to the agreed conditions. Conflict situations often occur. The owners of the bitch can reduce the reward to the owner of the dog, the so-called alimony.
At what age do puppies start walking?
After birth, puppies are not only helpless, but also immobile. The first significant motor activity occurs when the eyes open. From this moment on, they feel more confident and make attempts to get back on their feet. At about three weeks of age, these cubs begin to walk, and after thirty days they are already running.
What to do if the puppy doesn’t go?
Puppies of different breeds, even babies from the same litter, can start walking at different times. There is no need to panic about this. However, if thirty to forty days have passed after birth, and the dog has not started walking, you should think about it. This is the case when it is better not to delay a visit to the veterinarian.
When do puppies open their eyes after birth?
Puppies, like any other animal, are helpless at an early stage of development. They require constant care and care from the mother and breeder. That is why you should know all the stages of development of puppies and the basic rules for monitoring their health.
Puppies are often taken away from their mother too early, leaving many owners with developmental milestone issues. When do the eyes open? How many weeks does it take for puppies to hear and what is the best food to feed them? You should know the answer to all these questions in order to raise a strong and healthy dog.
Chihuahua
Newborn representatives of this breed are characterized by extremely low weight and an extremely helpless state. The weight of a newly born puppy is usually about 70 grams, but sometimes larger cubs can be found in the litter. They can only gain 2-4 grams per day. Immediately after birth, they are practically incapable of even small movements. Only the licking of the mother encourages the babies to take at least rare breaths.
At 12-16 days, there comes a time when Chihuahua puppies open their eyes. This process is practically no different from the epiphany of cubs of other dog breeds. Up to the 13th day, the palpebral fissure remains tightly closed, however, the cubs react to a source of bright light with a blink reflex. It will disappear only by 21-22 days, when the puppies have already learned to control the movements of the pupil. The presence of the palpebral reflex (twitching of the eyelids) is observed on the third day of life of the fragile creature, and by the 9th day it should be fully developed.
The opening of the palpebral fissure occurs from the inner edge to the outer. Usually the eyes open at the same time, but sometimes it happens that first one eye begins to see, and after a couple of days the other. On the first day after opening, the palpebral fissure remains narrow, however, the very next day the incision becomes properly formed and natural lacrimation develops. Vision becomes full only by 21-25 days of life.
Visual development in puppies
The palpebral fissure of any puppy opens from the inner corner to the outer. This does not happen all at once, but over several days. Usually both eyes open at the same time, but it also happens that one eye opens first, and the second after 1-2 days. However, once this has occurred, the brood must be protected from exposure to bright light for several days. Sometimes puppies may not respond to light. This should not frighten the breeder, since infant puppies usually do not distinguish between dark and light. Therefore, after the day when puppies open their eyes, it will take some time before they can see as well as adult dogs.
When do puppies start feeding themselves?
All the little dog needs is his mother's affection and milk. It contains all the necessary elements for the normal growth and development of the puppy. Mom feeds her babies as much as she can. Fourteen days after birth, some dog breeders begin to gradually introduce complementary foods.
When exactly to introduce new food depends on the condition of the puppy itself and how many there are in the litter. However, complete complementary feeding should not be introduced before he has teeth. This usually happens 20-30 days after birth. At this time, their mother begins to regurgitate incompletely digested food for her cubs, accustoming them to adult food.
Feeding recommendations
Complementary feeding for four-legged babies usually begins 21-30 days after birth. The first supplement to breast milk is regular milk, formula, or kefir. Feed the puppies, starting with one type of new food once a day. Gradually the number of times increases until breastfeeding is completely stopped.
From a month on, raw, well-chopped meat is introduced into the diet of a small pet. For the first complementary feeding from natural food, it is better to use beef scraps or minced meat. But it is better to use ready-made food Starter, which is recommended from 3 weeks of age.
By the age of two months, they themselves should eat meat food once a day, and dairy food several times a day. When there are more teeth, you can give him egg yolk, crackers, and drinking water. Then porridge, vegetables, and fish are added. A puppy also needs vitamins and minerals every day to be healthy.
Possible problems
With proper nutrition, puppies quickly gain weight, are active, and look healthy. In cases of overfeeding or undernutrition, problems with the gastrointestinal tract may occur. Indigestion and poor health can be caused by milk toxicity when the mother is sick or taking medication.
You should not give puppies sweets, a lot of salt, potatoes, pearl barley, spices, or fatty foods. These products are poorly digestible and negatively affect the digestive system. Teaching your pet to eat healthy food is important when he is still small.
Natural food or dry food?
Many owners of small pets are wondering what food is best to choose? Some argue that only natural food is suitable for a puppy. Others prefer dry food, which already contains all the necessary nutrients and nutrients. Mixing these two types of feeding is not recommended.
What should you consider when choosing store-bought food? Dry formula or canned food is produced separately for puppies, taking into account their age needs. Ready-made high-quality feed has a balanced composition, vitamins and mineral supplements. The ready-to-eat food granules themselves take care of your pet’s dental health. The main task is to choose a good food suitable for your dog.
Making a natural diet balanced is more difficult. This takes more time and effort; it is difficult to determine how much of the necessary vitamins and nutrients are in the prepared food. Approximately two-thirds of a four-legged baby’s diet should consist of protein foods. In addition to this, your pet needs to eat cereals, vegetables, and dairy products. The puppy should also receive a vitamin and mineral supplement every day.
Newborn puppies. Care in the first days of life
It is worth immediately noting that the development of each puppy is individual, and it is impossible to determine strict deadlines. Even littermates can differ significantly from each other.
2-3 days after birth, the umbilical cord falls off in puppies. In order to avoid infection of the umbilical wound, it is necessary to keep them in a warm room on a clean bed from birth. Newborns sleep a lot and move and push around frequently. This is necessary for the development of muscles and the nervous system.
After one or two weeks, the babies begin to move around - crawling along the bottom of their box. For now, they navigate only by smell, because the time has not yet come when puppies open their eyes after birth. Dogs begin to try to stand up and walk at about 16 days, and at 21 days they can already move confidently.
At the age of 4 weeks, puppies play with each other, run, and pay attention to toys. At this time, socialization begins, they learn to communicate with each other, contact people.
Puppies are born without teeth. Just like humans, dogs first grow baby teeth, which are later replaced by permanent teeth. Baby teeth begin to erupt at 2-4 weeks. By two months, all baby teeth should have erupted.
How long does it take for puppies to open their eyes? This occurs on average 12-15 days after birth. Ears open later - at 14-17 days, and puppies begin to hear well only by the 4th week. Recognizing hearing problems and congenital deafness can be difficult, especially when the puppy is among littermates. Often, such deficiencies are discovered only after moving to a new home.
Newborn puppies are blind and deaf
Babies are born blind and deaf, however, thanks to instincts, from the first hours of life they are able to independently find their mother's nipple. The feeding process usually looks like this: the puppy attaches itself to the chest and begins to massage the area around it with pushing movements with its front and back paws.
This helps produce and supply more milk. An important point: it is necessary to put babies to the breast in the first hours after birth so that they eat nutritious colostrum. It contains many vitamins, proteins and other useful substances. The baby’s immunity will be strengthened, and various infectious diseases will not be scary for the growing body.
In the first few days after birth, puppies cannot empty their bladders or bowels on their own. The bitch does this for them, diligently licking the babies and eating all the secretions. Therefore, newborn puppies lie dry and clean, and there are no marks on the bed. Blind and deaf babies mostly just sleep and suck, rapidly gaining weight. If the puppies do not squeak, it means they are full.
Puppies often do not gain weight in the first few days.
Puppies are born with an innate sucking reflex. However, weak babies who are unable to latch on to the nipple themselves must be held until they have received their share of milk. Apply them to the fuller nipples. First, knead the bitch's chest and express the colostrum so that the puppy can smell it. So he will need to be fed for several days. Then the puppy will get a little stronger and will be able to feed on its own.
It is very important to weigh a newborn puppy and subsequently monitor how he gains weight and how much food he takes at a time. If the baby is very weak and cannot suck even a drop on his own, he will need to be fed every 1.5 hours from a pipette, syringe or pacifier. To do this, express the mother's milk and give it to the puppy little by little. For the first time, 1 milliliter will be enough.
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When the puppy grows a little, increase the amount of milk to 5-10 milliliters. This can only be done after 2 weeks.
Often, in the first few days after birth, babies do not gain weight, and sometimes they can even lose a little weight. But after a couple of days, positive dynamics should appear. If this does not happen, it means that the bitch does not have enough milk to feed the children. You will have to additionally feed the growing body
Often the mother has an excess of milk that remains after feeding. To avoid congestive mastitis, regularly examine your dog's chest and express any excess. This may be due to the fact that she gave birth to only one puppy, which simply cannot suck all the milk. The nipples most commonly pulled by puppies can be swollen, hard, and hot.
In the first week of life, babies do not have a proper thermoregulation system. Even if they are cold, their body will not tremble. So you will have to monitor the temperature in the bed if they grow up separately from their mother, or make sure that they are always close to their mother. To keep the temperature normal and the puppies not to freeze, it is necessary to place them close to each other. If the cot is colder than 30°C, there is a chance that the babies will freeze.
Short-term mild hypothermia will not harm the puppy’s health, but, on the contrary, will strengthen the immune system. This way the puppy will gradually get used to growing in natural conditions. But longer hypothermia can threaten the puppy's life. This problem can be solved by placing an electric heating pad in the baby's bed. Remember that it does not need to be installed over the entire area where the puppies live. If the bitch gets hot, prepare a place where she can move without leaving the children.
In the first weeks after birth, puppies mostly eat and sleep.
Around the 8th day, you need to trim the puppy’s nails for the first time, and then repeat the procedure every week. This should be done so that the baby does not scratch the mother’s delicate skin around the nipple while sucking milk. Only cut off the sharp edges, the so-called hook tips.
Newborns may develop health problems in the first days, so they need to be closely monitored. When intestinal infections appear, an unpleasant sour smell will appear in the bed, and yellow marks from the disorder will remain around the butt. Then weaker puppies may die literally on the first day.
In the first weeks after birth, puppies mostly only eat and sleep. Don't be alarmed if babies twitch during sleep - this is normal. In the first weeks of life, their eyes and ear canals are closed.
Babies open their eyes for the first time from the 11th to 15th day of life. The rumor appears a little later, on the 18th day. Normal body temperature for a newborn is 34.5-36°C.
The third week of babies’ lives is full of interesting events and new discoveries, as they begin to walk and explore the territory not only in the bed, but also outside it. At this age they become very pretty, playful and active. They begin to get out of their corner and go to the toilet (tray, diaper or newspaper).
At the fourth week of life, puppies begin to erupt their first teeth. The fangs come out first. This usually happens on days 21-25. As soon as the first teeth appear, you can start feeding the puppy. Over time, mother's milk will gradually begin to disappear, so if the baby gets used to a different diet by then, it will not be stressful for him. At first, give only special milk, and then, as they grow older, add other healthy foods to the diet.
Initially, feed puppies only one type of complementary food.
Weaning is an important and even critical period for a puppy, which can be harmful to health. But everything will be fine if you know how to do it correctly and carefully monitor your diet. This period will be especially dangerous for weakened and developmentally delayed puppies. Try to gradually make changes to your baby's diet.
It is very important that puppies are initially fed only one type of complementary food. This should be done no more than once a day. Allow your growing body to get used to minor changes so that problems do not arise in the future. Make sure that the babies are absorbing the new food well, and only then increase the dosage.
Gradually expand the puppy's diet
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The next step is to offer the puppies supplemental food twice a day. Then gradually expand the diet and feed three times a day. Gradually increase the amount of new food until the bitch is completely weaned. Babies can be completely removed from mother's milk at 5-6 weeks. Let us emphasize once again: it is very important to do everything gradually so as not to harm the health of the puppies. Warm complementary foods to the temperature of mother's milk (approximately 38°C).
You can add boiled chicken fillet to your diet. Rabbit meat is also ideal for complementary feeding. At the age of 5-6 weeks, babies need to be fed 5 times a day, of which 3 with dairy products, 2 with meat and porridge. Sometimes you can give puppies some boiled fish. Be sure to check the pieces well before giving them to your little ones to avoid any bones.
Be sure to feed your puppies fermented milk products (cottage cheese and bifilin). Boil an egg several times a week and feed only the yolk to the children. You can also dilute your diet with rice porridge with meat. It is important that the rice is boiled and does not clog the puppies’ stomach. For variety, include special soaked dry food in your baby's daily menu.
When using premium food, no nutritional problems will arise, but only if you consistently and correctly follow all the recommendations for using this product. Around this time, the bitch will already be tired of her children and will spend time with them only at night.
Possible problems
When can you walk your puppy after the second vaccination?
What eye problems may the owner of newborn babies encounter? Of great concern is the fact that all the deadlines have long passed, and the puppy still remains blind. This may be due to the following points:
- The dog fell ill with conjunctivitis.
- Microbes got into the gap between the eyes.
- Specks and dirt have accumulated between the eyelashes.
Any of the above problems can be solved. The main symptom that you should pay attention to is purulent accumulations that form on the eyelids.
If this is noticed, the eyelids should be treated with one of the following remedies:
- chamomile decoction;
- Black tea;
- furatsilin solution;
- special drops containing an antibiotic.
Conjunctivitis in dogs
More detailed treatment if conjunctivitis is detected:
- The eyelids are wiped with a furatsilin solution.
- Drops with the addition of an antibiotic are instilled.
- Procedures are carried out at least 1 time per day, but no more than 6 times per day.
With proper treatment, a positive result will be observed within a week. In this case, the dog will be able to open his eyelids on his own without any problems.
If problems with opening the eyes are associated with the accumulation of dust and dirt, then the eyes are washed with an herbal solution or tea 5-6 times every day. You can also use clean boiled water.
Important! A separate clean cotton pad is used for each eyelid.
The result becomes noticeable already on the 2-3rd day of treatment. The worst thing is if the dog's eyelids are fused. In this case, only a professional can provide assistance. In the worst case scenario, surgery may be required. If there is no purulent discharge, you can try wiping your eyes with plain warm water (preferably boiled).
When do the eyes open?
Puppies are born blind, their eyelids are underdeveloped. When do puppies open their eyes after birth?
Most puppies open their eyes at 10-14 days.
This may happen a little earlier or with a delay of several days, but does not in any way affect the physical, mental or reflex development of the dog.
More often, both eyes open at once, sometimes with a difference of a day or two. This is normal and not a pathology. At first, the dog only distinguishes between light and dark. Babies will begin to fully navigate by sight and hearing around the 25th day. By the end of the period of unconditional reflex adaptation, the puppies are already beginning to gradually distinguish between the periods of day and night and crawl out of the “nest”.
If by the 18th-20th day the dog’s eyes have not opened, then help is needed. Try rinsing your eye slits with boiled water.
Not all dogs are born healthy. General health problems can also affect your vision. If the eyelids have not opened by the 30th day or there is inflammation or conjunctivitis, you need to show your pet to a doctor.
Do not try to open your eyelids yourself.
In some cases, for example, with entropion of the eyelids, surgery is prescribed.
Tips for caring for a puppy in the first months of life
From birth until the age of three to four weeks, human little friends need special care. At a time when they hardly hear or see, and practically do not move, they will need constant supervision. Heat exchange in babies has not yet been established, so maintaining the temperature regime is very important. Hypothermia during this period can be dangerous.
It is important to monitor how much weight your four-legged friend gains. Small pets are susceptible to various infections, so you need to maintain a clean house and hygiene for the baby. But you cannot bathe the puppy; the mother provides him with washing. But you need to regularly check the condition of the eyes, ears, and claws.
Brushing becomes a regular procedure as the coat grows back. A puppy should be taught to go for walks from an early age. How long to walk depends on the weather. During the cold season, walking with your pet on the street is not recommended. It should be remembered that attention and care are very important for a baby separated from his mother during the first days.
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Opening too early
Babies are born blind due to an incompletely formed eyelid. This is one of the most important organs, the absence or incomplete functioning of which leads to problems for life and even disability.
If the body does not have enough time to form essential tissues, the dog will suffer from dry eye syndrome. That is, insufficient release of tear fluid and lack of protection against external pollution.
A trip to the vet and the use of special antibiotics, fluids and ointments will be necessary for visible results, possibly for a lifetime.
Sources:
https://animalgrow.com/dogs/breeding-dogs/razvitie-schenkov.html https://www.syl.ru/article/336650/kogda-schenki-otkroyut-glaza-cherez-skolko-dney-posle-rojdeniya https://clubsobak.ru/2019/09/04/kogda-shhenki-otkryvayut-glaza-posle-rozhdeniya/
Transition period
Then the development of the dog’s organs begins. The first thing the dog gains is initial vision - its eyes open.
This process occurs over a period of 10 to 20 days. On average, this occurs on the 13th day, but some puppies may be ahead in development or slightly delayed, which, however, does not affect mental, reflex and motor processes.
Despite the fact that the dog begins to open his eyes, during this period he sees practically nothing, and is only able to recognize light and darkness.
There are other important stages in this period:
- The puppy begins to move on its paws in small steps; when moving, the dog may fall. At the same time, it can move not only forward, but also backward. The baby stops crawling, which is a natural process.
- Teething begins. They usually begin to climb by day 20, which stimulates the chewing and biting processes.
- The dog begins to move its tail, but this is a reflex movement, and not a reaction to what is seen/heard.
- On days 14-19, the baby develops hearing, but he cannot determine the distance and direction of the sound source.
It is at this time that major physical changes occur. In just a week, a puppy can open its eyes, learn to walk, hear, etc. That is, between 10 and 20 days the baby begins to become independent.
Periods of puppy development
Critical periods
How to raise a dog that is healthy physically and, no less important, mentally? How can we ensure that the working qualities and exterior characteristics received by a puppy from its parents are most successfully manifested in an adult dog? It turns out that the body goes through several stages in its development and there are special sensitive periods of its development, when various influences are perceived by it especially acutely and can affect the animal even when it grows up.
The environment influences the puppy even before it is born. The mother's increased stress has a detrimental effect on her puppies. Stressing pregnant females should be avoided, especially in the last third of pregnancy.
If a dog, while expecting offspring, is in a friendly, friendly environment conducive to pleasant communication, then its puppies are ensured normal emotional development.
While developing in the mother’s body, embryos at a certain time undergo a “strength test.” The same environmental factor, completely safe at one stage of development, at another stage can become destructive for the embryo, even in small doses. The puppy will go through such periods of increased sensitivity of the body to various environmental factors after birth until full adulthood, but then these will mainly affect the character and psyche of the puppy. They are called critical periods.
In order for puppies to be born strong and healthy, it is necessary to know exactly when embryos go through critical periods in development. But it is equally important to know the timing of the critical periods of development of puppies after birth, since at this time the future behavior and character of the adult dog takes shape.
The timing of critical periods after birth is not absolute, but generally applies to most puppies and dogs. The early critical periods (before 16 weeks of age) are the same for all dogs, regardless of age and breed. The timing of the late critical periods (from 4 months to full adulthood) greatly depends on the size and breed of the dog.
Prenatal period (period of intrauterine development) and its critical periods
The development of the embryo begins with the fertilization of the egg by the sperm. Sex cells contain a single set of chromosomes (a dog has 39). When the nuclei of an egg and sperm fuse, a complete set of chromosomes is obtained - the zygote, the first cell of a new organism, contains 78 chromosomes. The future puppy receives an equal amount of hereditary information from its father and mother.
After 24 hours, the one-celled embryo - the zygote - divides into two daughter cells, which in turn also begin to divide. A multicellular embryo is formed. On the 7th - 8th day of pregnancy it enters the uterus. The process of attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus, called implantation, occurs on days 16–18. From this time on, the placenta begins to develop - the organ through which the fetus receives nutrients and oxygen from the mother and secretes its waste products. The formation of the placenta is completed by the 35th day of pregnancy.
Every day of the short two-month period, during which an organism almost ready for independent life should be formed from a single cell, is filled with significant events in the life (still intrauterine) of the puppy. However, there are moments at which radical events occur in its maturation.
In the first two weeks, the dog embryo is still not noticeably different from the embryos of fish, amphibians, and reptiles. On the 18th day, the 4 mm long embryo acquires a body shape characteristic of mammals. On the 21st day, it increases to 7-10 mm, the rudiments of all the main structures are laid: nose, eyes, jaws, limbs, mammary glands, the primary aorta, kidneys, etc. appear. On the 28th day, the length of the embryo reaches 15- 20 mm, on the 33rd - 26 mm, externally everything is already formed in the embryo, only the skin does not yet have hair. Next, the fruit quickly grows in length, acquiring breed and individual differences.
FIRST CRITICAL PERIOD (1 - 7 days after fertilization )
So, for the first time, the sensitivity of the embryo to external influences sharply increases as soon as the fertilized egg enters the crushing stage, that is, almost immediately after mating. Anything that can disrupt the process of cell division has a harmful effect: X-ray radiation, some medications (for example, antibiotics), and even seemingly innocent factors such as heat or slight stress. During this period, some or even all of the embryos may die, or their development may slow down. Therefore, in the first week after mating, the bitch needs especially careful treatment.
SECOND CRITICAL PERIOD (16 - 18 days)
The second critical period of embryo development is observed during implantation, which corresponds to days 16-18 of pregnancy. The process of implantation (attachment of embryos to the wall of the uterus) can be disrupted under the influence of a variety of factors - medications, radiation, overheating or hypothermia of the puppy bitch, gross malnutrition, unsatisfied thirst, pathogenic microbes, sensations of pain and severe emotional stress. Thus, in the first 18 days of pregnancy, a protective regime should be strictly observed.
THIRD CRITICAL PERIOD (16 - 35 days)
The third critical period corresponds to the stage of placentation, the process of which can be easily disrupted under the influence of such negative factors as lack of vitamins, hormonal imbalances in the pregnant bitch, and nervous breakdowns.
Placentation in a dog ends at the beginning of the second month of pregnancy. If a negative impact occurs at the beginning of placentation, then it may not occur and all embryos will die, but if the damaging factor acts at subsequent stages of placentation, then the placenta is not fully formed, as a result of which puppies are born poorly developed.
Significant stress on a pregnant dog, for example during training, is unacceptable during this period, as this can lead to nervous strain and, as a consequence, to pregnancy pathology.
The resistance of embryos to harmful factors increases with age. It should be emphasized that a puppy needs moderate physical training and some emotional stress. This allows the embryos to adapt to the changing influences of the external environment indirectly, through the mother’s body, during critical periods. At the same time, future puppies develop the most important mechanisms of adaptation to their environment.
So, take special care of your pregnant dog in the first week after mating, and from days 16-18 to 35 of pregnancy. Do not overload her emotionally and physically, but provide the necessary training, good nutrition, and be careful when using medications. By doing this, you will provide all the conditions for your dog’s birth to go smoothly and for the offspring to be healthy.
Development after birth. Early critical periods
NEOTAL PERIOD (0 - 12 days )
And then the puppy was born. The period of his life from birth to 12 days of age is called neonatal. The newborn is still completely helpless - he cannot maintain his body temperature on his own. He constantly needs the presence of his mother, who feeds him with her milk and warms him with her warmth. She should massage his tummy with her tongue so that he can empty his bowels. He does not see or hear, and his sense of smell, taste and touch are underdeveloped. Of all the diversity of the external world, only one thing is important for him - to distinguish the smell of his mother.
It reacts to cold and heat, and to some extent to pain. He may move awkwardly, crawling in circles and turning his heavy head to the sides, trying to determine where his mother is. He may squeak if he doesn't find her for too long and she will immediately run up to him and lick him, letting him know that she is nearby.
When a dog hears a puppy squeak, it drops everything and rushes to him. Instinct makes her forget about everything for the sake of her offspring. Thanks to such a strong instinct, nature creates the best conditions for puppies in the first days of life: their mother dog is always alert and hardly leaves their side. Gradually, her instinct weakens, and when the cubs need her less, she leaves them for longer and longer periods of time.
During the neonatal period, the puppy is influenced by the environment primarily through the sense of touch. At this time, the puppy grows very quickly, becomes stronger and larger, but his behavior practically does not change. His brain is still asleep. Electroencephalograms in the neonatal period are the same in a sleeping and awake puppy.
Transition period (13 - 20 days)
The transition period lasts from the 13th to the 20th day of the puppy’s life. During this time, important physical changes occur in the puppy's development. At the beginning of this period, around the 13th day of life, his eyes open. His pupils already react to light, but his retina is not yet developed, so he cannot see objects and their movement until about 21 days of age. The puppy begins to crawl backwards as well as forwards, and a few days later he will begin to walk with an unsteady gait, swaying from side to side and falling frequently. Once the puppy stands on its paws and starts walking, it practically stops crawling.
The first teeth erupt around day 20, and he begins to bite and chew. At the same time, he begins to wag his tail, although he still sees and hears almost nothing. He begins to react by flinching to sharp sounds at about 19.5 days of age, but he cannot yet identify where the sound is coming from.
Thus, during this critical period, rapid physical changes occur in the puppy's body. In just one week, from a helpless creature that cannot hear, walk, empty its intestines without outside help, maintain its body temperature, and can only suck milk from its mother, it turns into a puppy that can do all this.
Cognitive period (21-28 days)
The cognitive period lasts from 21 to 28 days of life. This is the first week during which the puppy begins to use his sight and hearing. These changes in his perception occur very abruptly, within 24 hours for most puppies, so he needs a stable, stable environment during this time. Now he most needs the presence of his mother and a familiar environment.
During the cognitive period, the puppy begins to learn. This is the time in a puppy's life when he begins to learn what it means and what it's like to be a dog.
The period of socialization among dogs (21 - 49 days )
Socialization is the formation of a complex of social behavior. The period from days 21 to 49 (or from 3 to 7 weeks) is the period of socialization of the puppy among dogs, when he learns to use species-specific behaviors that allow him to communicate with other dogs. In order for all the traits inherent in its genes to develop, all this time the puppy must remain in the nest with its mother and littermates. During this period, he perceives the appearance of his own kind, that is, his breed. That is why, when a dog grows up, it usually prefers to communicate with representatives of its own breed. During this period, he will learn to use special body postures, facial expressions and sounds to communicate with his brothers, and will understand the impact they have on his littermates, mother and other dogs with whom he comes into contact. He learns various types of behavior inherent in a dog.
In play, he learns about the world around him: hunting games, simulating a chase and attack on prey, teach him consistency and coordination of movements; he learns the ritual of greeting when dogs meet; wrestling games teach him how to use his body, posture, and facial expressions to elicit different reactions from his fellows. For example, if a conflict arises between puppies playing, the puppy learns that a submissive posture prevents aggression from its sibling. In games, puppies often mount each other; deprived of such games, a male raised in isolation has difficulty learning to mate, and may even not pay attention to females in heat at all.
In addition, during this period the puppy learns some of the most important lessons of his life - he learns to accept discipline. The mother teaches this to the puppies. She lets them know what behavior is unacceptable; teaches them not to bite too hard. When the milk-feeding period ends, she no longer allows them to approach the nipples.
These exercises are educational for puppies. Unfortunately, there is a misconception among breeders that if a bitch starts snapping at the puppies, then she no longer wants to be with them, in fact this is not the case, she just starts raising them. If puppies do not receive these lessons, it will be difficult to discipline them later.
How does a mother dog raise her puppies? When, from her point of view, the puppy commits some misdeed, perhaps he comes too close to her just at the moment when she does not want to be bothered, she first warns him with a meaningful look, which is often accompanied by a subtle wrinkle of the nose or twitch lips. If the puppy has not yet learned the meaning of this look or is too stubborn, he will continue to act inappropriately. Then the mother will growl loudly at the disobedient puppy and even bite him with her teeth, forcing him to obey. This bite, as a rule, is not so strong as to injure the puppy, but he remembers such a lesson for a long time. He immediately turns over on his back in fear, squeaking pitifully and begging for mercy. The mother immediately stops the punishment and takes on a complacent appearance, showing the puppy that if he is obedient, then she will always be a kind and affectionate mother. The incident ends as quickly as it began.
The puppy receives several important lessons at once: he learns to recognize specific facial expressions that precede aggression on the part of the mother; understands that in life it is necessary to obey and maintain discipline; learns to adopt a posture of submission and learns that in this way aggression can be stopped. For subsequent training, it is especially important that he learns to observe discipline. Having learned to unconditionally obey its mother, the puppy will subsequently obey its future owner in the same way. During this period of socialization, the nature of the puppy’s communication begins to take shape not only with individuals of its own species, but also with people, as well as with pets, if they surround it.
This is the time when the puppy learns the behaviors that make him a complete dog. If he is deprived of this opportunity, he will never be able to fully comprehend these lessons, and will become an outcast of the dog tribe, since he will not be able to understand his brothers well, and they will not be able to understand him.
Puppies that are taken from their nest too early are often too nervous, bark for no reason, and are difficult to train because they do not know what discipline is.
A puppy weaned from its mother before four weeks of age cannot reach its full genetic potential as a dog and as a human companion.
Period of socialization among people (7-12 weeks )
After approximately the forty-ninth day of life, when the formation of the nervous system has already completed, the dog’s attachment to the person develops. That is why the best time to introduce him to everything that will play an important role in his life is the period from 7 to 12 weeks.
If the puppy stays with his mother and brothers for much longer than seven weeks, he will grow up to be too dog-oriented. He will be indifferent to his new human family and will be difficult to train.
He should spend as much time as possible with you and your family members, and have the opportunity to communicate with other people and dogs. If he has to communicate with children, make sure that he gains a positive experience of communicating with them during this period.
Be sure to get him used to traveling in a car or public transport, as well as walking through crowded streets and city noise. A dog that first comes to the city at an older age, for example, when it is raised in a country house, sometimes suffers a change of environment very painfully and may exhibit cowardice, which is very difficult to deal with. Or they walk with her all the time in the same quiet courtyard, carefully protecting her from contact with people and dogs. As a result, the dog is afraid of sharp sounds; passers-by, seeing an unfamiliar dog, rushes to its heels, or, conversely, starts a fight with it. The same applies to dogs raised in kennels; raised in an information-poor environment, they adapt poorly to new conditions, are difficult to train, and, moreover, are not sufficiently human-oriented. Such a dog can shine in the conformation rings, although this requires that it undergo a course of show training and gain experience in participating in exhibitions early enough. But she is unlikely to make a good working dog.
The more varied the environment surrounding the puppy during this period, the better for the development of his psyche; At the same time, of course, you need to have a sense of proportion and not overload the puppy.
Electroencephalograms taken at seven weeks of age show that the brains of such puppies are no different from the brains of adult dogs. Their ability to concentrate and pay attention is not yet as developed as in adults, but at this age they learn most successfully. Learning at this age occurs constantly, and if you do not teach him, he will still learn, just not what you would like to teach him, for example, picking up food from the ground, pulling you when driving on a leash, ignoring your commands, etc. .d.
Before the puppy has had time to learn unwanted behavior, before he has reached the size of an adult dog and is easy to handle, you need to start training him.
Therefore, this is the best time to start obedience and submission classes. Don't wait until your puppy is grown to start training him.
A small puppy perceives everything very quickly and by delaying training, you will only complicate your task in the future. It is better to teach him what you need than to wait for a special training course to begin. With daily training, it will take very little time to teach your puppy basic commands, but how you conduct the lessons is very important.
Teaching basic obedience commands to a young puppy has a number of important benefits. This will help convince him that you are a leader, make it easier to control your pet, and partly serve as a tool for social adaptation. Social adaptation lessons and raising a puppy in the first three months of life are extremely important.
Period of fears (from 8 to 12 weeks)
During this period, you need to avoid any situations that could traumatize the puppy, since at this time his psyche is especially sensitive to influences that cause fear and pain. The stress he experiences during this period can have very unpleasant consequences and complicate the dog’s future life. Strong fear experienced at this age in any situation can persist in an animal into adulthood. Therefore, try to minimize everything that can cause a strong shock in the puppy: visits to the veterinarian, trips in transport previously unknown to the puppy, communication with large, angry dogs; if ear cropping is to be done, it is better to do it before or after this period. If you visit a training ground, make sure that training and interaction with dogs does not injure the puppy.
In general, during the first year of your pet's life, you will often notice that he is afraid of something. Try to distract the puppy with something or let him gradually explore the object of his fears, but under no circumstances force the puppy to approach the object that he is afraid of. After some time, the fear will gradually pass.
Period of classification by seniority (13 - 16 weeks )
At this age, the puppy begins to figure out for the first time who is the “leader of the pack.” If he tries to bite, even as if in a game, then this is already the first timid attempt to dominate.
A dog is a social animal, it instinctively strives to obey the laws of the pack, and living in a family, it considers it its “pack” and people for it are just strange two-legged dogs. One of the laws is that a pack must have a leader, to whom all other members of the pack obey. The dog just needs to find out who is the leader of your “pack”. If you don't take this place, your dog will.
Some animals are very persistent in their desire for leadership, while in others this is less pronounced, but any dog needs to be clearly explained who is boss in the house. If a dog considers itself to be in charge, then at best it will simply not listen to you, and at worst it will bite you and other family members. Dogs of such breeds as Rottweiler, Central Asian, Caucasian, South Russian Shepherds, Old and New World mastiffs and many others are especially prone to dominance over their owners.
The dominance-submission relationship finally develops after the dog finally matures, after it reaches sexual maturity, that is, not earlier than 8-10 months, and for large breeds after 12-16 months and older. But if the puppy is accustomed to obeying from childhood, then serious troubles associated with sorting out relations with an already grown dog can be avoided. Unfortunately, it is now not uncommon for owners to think about training a dog after it has had time to snack on the whole family, and they are not always able to help. It is much better if at the age of 3-4 months you start training your puppy, because the exercises of the obedience course perfectly strengthen your status as a leader in relation to the dog. This period is very important to ensure that your future relationship with your maturing dog develops without serious problems.
Late critical periods
The timing of these critical periods can greatly depend on the size of the dog. Representatives of small breeds mature much earlier than large dogs, so their sensitive periods usually pass at an earlier age and may be shorter.
The period when the puppy has a desire to run away (from 4 to 8 months )
The period when the instinct to run away usually occurs between 4 and 8 months of a dog's life. It lasts from several days to several weeks. At this time, the puppy becomes more independent and begins to explore the world around him with interest.
One fine day he will suddenly refuse to answer your call, pretending that he does not hear you. How you behave during this time is of great importance for the dog's future. Will she grow up obedient and always come at the first call, or not? Unfortunately, not all owners know what to do when the puppy stops coming when called; their mistakes affect the behavior of the already grown dog and problems arise that could have been easily avoided. All this, of course, can be corrected by a professional trainer, but it will require time, effort and money.
You can often observe the following picture: a puppy, who just yesterday eagerly ran up to its owner as soon as it heard its name, suddenly stops responding to the command. The surprised owner calls again and again, gradually losing his temper, then he tries to catch up and catch the puppy, but he finds the game very funny and runs away at full speed from the now completely furious owner. After some time, the tired dog finally approaches him and is punished, from the owner’s point of view, quite deservedly. But for some reason, after such upbringing, the dog runs away more and more often, and longer and longer does not allow itself to be caught. Let's try to look at the situation through the eyes of a dog. She draws the following lesson from what happened: “If you run away from the owner, you can have fun playing tag with him, but you need to avoid coming close to him for as long as possible, because when I come up, he punishes me.” The puppy associates punishment with its last action, that is, with the approach to the owner.
How to behave when the dog does not respond to the call? First of all, don’t try to catch up with him, but try to run away from him yourself. The dog will have an instinctive desire to catch up with the fleeing owner.
If this does not work, arouse the puppy's interest, pretend that you have found something interesting, and play with a stick or ball. Do not scold or punish him under any circumstances when he has already approached you. Only positive emotions should be associated with the approach to the owner. Pet the puppy, give him a treat, play with him. Knowing that something pleasant awaits him, he will happily approach you.
But... One day something will arise that will attract him more. Therefore, during this period it is necessary to practice the command “Come to me” on a leash, not forgetting about encouragement. After this, if necessary, you can use a long rope for a while; throw various objects at the dog if it refuses to approach (for example, a bunch of keys or a strict collar); There is also a shock collar, but do not use it yourself without consulting a professional trainer.
This way you will achieve the dog’s unquestioning approach on command, regardless of his mood. “Come to me” is one of the main commands, a command-order; even a dog’s life may depend on its execution, not to mention the fact that it is simply dangerous to let an untrained dog off the leash in a city. So, before she gets into the habit of ignoring your commands, hurry up and start training. During the same period, the puppy’s milk teeth change to permanent ones, itching appears in the gums, which makes him chew something all the time, and if you do not offer him objects suitable for this purpose, such as rubber toys, special flavored bones (sold in pet stores) or carrots, then he will definitely eat your favorite shoes.
If this does happen, try to remain calm and do not punish the puppy, as this is pointless. Firstly, this will not stop the physiological need to constantly chew something, and secondly, he most likely will not understand why he is being punished and will be afraid of you.
Second period of insurance (from 6 to 14 months )
This period is also called the period of fear of new situations. It is not as clearly defined as the first fear period, which occurs between 8 and 11 weeks of life, and may recur several times as the dog matures. The behavior of a young dog changes dramatically. She may suddenly refuse to approach some new object or be afraid of something familiar. In such a situation, treat the animal patiently and calmly, reassure it with your voice, and pet it. But don’t get carried away, because the dog may decide that you are praising it because it is afraid. Just let her feel that the owner is nearby, and he does not show any concern. Do not force her to approach the object that caused fear, but do not allow her to panic. Usually, if a puppy trusts its owner and sees him as the “leader of the pack,” he does not try to run away from him. Wait a little, and your confidence will be transferred to the dog, the fear will gradually pass.
The puppy becomes an adult (from 1 year to 4 years)
Dogs reach maturity at different times, depending on the breed. Representatives of very large breeds continue to grow and develop up to 4 years of age, medium ones - up to 1.5 - 3 years, small ones - up to 1 year. Puberty occurs before the dog stops growing.
During this period, she changes greatly physically and mentally, with the onset of puberty (for different breeds from 8 to 15 months) becoming included in the structure of adult relationships. At this age, the animal’s aggressiveness often increases; this has its positive and negative sides. Now the dog begins to clearly distinguish between “friends” and “strangers,” recognizing only a narrow circle of people, which it considers its “pack.” Until recently, a dog that was friendly to everyone begins to bark angrily at strangers and may bite. The instincts inherent in the genes to protect the territory and members of their “flock” awaken.
Within his “pack,” the dog can also show aggressiveness, trying to take the place of the “leader.” Trying to become a leader, he will impose his will on you. This is absolutely normal, and you need to be prepared to make it clear to him at the right moment which of you is the boss and which is the subordinate. The best way to achieve leadership is training, as it contains many submission techniques. Therefore, during the period when your relationship with an older dog is finally developing, and it is trying to test your abilities as a “pack leader,” exercise with it regularly. Achieve unquestioning obedience from your dog, while not forgetting about rewards for completed commands. This will allow you to avoid serious conflicts with the animal, but if it happens that they do arise, seek help from professionals.
“Why do you dream about a puppy in a dream? If you see a Puppy in a dream, what does it mean?
Why do you dream about a Puppy:
If you dreamed that you brought a puppy into the house, it means that you will be faced with the need to solve a lot of urgent problems that will not only take up time, but also interfere with your main work.
If at the same time one of the men is next to you, this is the person you want to see as the father of your child.
In a dream, to see yourself playing with a small puppy - some unusual gift from a loved one awaits you. And it doesn’t have to be a puppy; the gift can be of a different kind.
Choosing a puppy at the market means that the person to whom you are devoted body and soul is in fact insincere with you, behind your back he spreads gossip about you.
If you dreamed that you found a homeless puppy on the street, it means that you have to help a person who is in great need in every way. The most important thing is not to be afraid of responsibility and provide support on time.
Seeing yourself as a small, carefree puppy means you are tired of problems, you need to retire and be a little alone. This will be a reliable way to understand your own thoughts and feelings.
For a man to see several puppies near their mother in a dream - you will meet a woman who will strongly remind you of your mother, and, against your will, you will experience sexual attraction to a new acquaintance.
If a woman saw such a dream, it means that she will meet a handsome young man whom she will really like. Please note that the subject of the dreamer's sympathy will be much younger than her.
Meeting a cute homeless puppy means that you will have to choose between the opportunity to perform a generous act and maintaining your own peace of mind.
Playing with a puppy in a dream means that your loved one will give you a gift that will surprise you. If you buy a puppy at the market, know
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Mating as a legal transaction
The relationship between the owner of the bitch and the owner of the dog is formalized in the form of a transaction in which each of them is an interested party. Most often, such a transaction is formalized in the form of an oral agreement, according to which the owner of a male dog has the right to receive a so-called “alimony” puppy in the form of payment for the use of his dog’s seed material. According to the existing standard rules, he has the right to independently choose any puppy from the litter, but, however, only second, after the first choice is made by the owner of the bitch. If desired, he can refuse the puppy and receive its value in money.
Character
As it became clear from all of the above, the alimony shepherd puppy stands out from the entire litter due to its external features and physical characteristics. Whether or not to take such a handsome man into your home is, of course, up to you.
I would like to say a few more words about the baby’s character. He has a calm and balanced disposition from birth. Like any cub, he is playful, but in no case shows aggression. He is brave and courageous, he will not be scared by the cotton of a newspaper. He fights bravely for his favorite toy. This is a charming creature that will become your faithful and devoted friend in the future.
Formation of consciousness
After the dog's eyes have opened, in the first days he learns to use his organs of vision and hearing. The formation of vision and hearing in dogs occurs quite quickly, for many puppies this period is 24 hours, but the process can last for 5-7 days, after which the dog has already adapted to the environment, and the organs have formed to receive information.
Therefore, at this stage there is the highest need for maternal care, it is not recommended to change the puppy's environment. Any movement (including moving away from the mother) will have an extremely negative impact on the dog’s psyche, which can create problems in the future.
This period is usually called the understanding period, after which the puppy begins to explore the world around him.
When puppies open their eyes, how many days after birth?
The birth of offspring from a beloved dog is a real test. Newborn puppies are absolutely helpless and extremely vulnerable. They need care not only from the mother, but also the attention of the owner. The health and immunity of dogs in the future depends on how correctly the litter is handled, how they react to signs of unfavorable development and what measures are taken. That is why the breeder must know about each stage of development, including when the puppies will open their eyes and begin to respond to sounds.
