By the time the puppies are six weeks old, they are weaned from their mother, eating solid foods and are drinking water on their own. They no longer mess in their beds and they still sleep a lot. They are very playful and very aware of what is happening around them. They love the company of people and safe puppy toys.
At 6 weeks old they are ready for another trip to the vet. While at the vet's office they are checked for worms and parasites. If necessary they are treated and then they received their first set of shots. Once they receive these shots their mother can no longer be with them. If they were to nurse off of her the shots are ineffective. Mother's immune system is higher and will over ride the meds. The pups receive the shots to also build up their immune system on their own from the harmful viruses. Many people believe that the pups should stay with their mother until they are 8 weeks old. This is not possible when they receive their shots at 6 weeks.
In some states there are laws that the breeder must keep the pups until 8 weeks old and then receive their first shots at 8 weeks. The problem can arise when the mother of the pups naturally starts weaning her litter at 3 or 3 1/2 weeks old. The pups immune system will not be able to fight off those viruses if they have to wait until they are 8 weeks old. In Alabama the pups can receive their shots at 6 weeks, then the 2nd set at 9 weeks and the 3rd set with the rabies shot at 12 weeks.
At 6 weeks the puppies can start going to their new homes. Occasionally the vet may recommend that the puppies be kept a little longer to gain a little more weight or to be completely free from any viruses if they may have one or for some other reason.
At 7 and 8 weeks the puppies play and sleep. They should be over any health issues by now if there were any (ex. coccidia, kennel cough which is like a common cold or parasites).
Feeding your puppy
You will receive a bag of puppy food that the puppy is currently eating when you receive your puppy. Your puppy is being fed three times daily, morning (8am), noon (12:00) and evening (6pm). The puppies are already eating dry puppy food and being in their new home you might want to moisten the dry food with warm water to soften. Generally they will eat better when the food is soften to start off with. Always make sure they have water.
There is great joy and excitement when you bring your puppy home.........but are you really ready?
We very highly recommend that you take the extra time and effort to protect your puppy from the unseen dangers that can be very deadly. You can NOT see Parvo. It is highly contagious and has no mercy. It can be anywhere. It can stay in the ground for years. Do you know without a doubt in your mind that where your puppy walks in your yard at home that it is safe? If you rent or live in a previously owned dwelling, you can not guarantee that it's not there. Probably in a new home too. You have a new family member and an investment. Your puppy is going to put complete trust in you so let's protect him/her.
Follow this inexpensive protection plan and you should be worry free:
1/2 cup of bleach
1 gallon of water
1 sprayer tank
Mix the bleach and water together. Pour it into your sprayer tank. Spray your entire yard. Spray to cover it well. You are out there to kill the enemy that you can not see. It could be lurking in the cracks. The bleach water will not kill the grass or outside plants. Let it dry before your puppy walks on it. If it rains, the rain will soak it into the ground.
Ask your vet about this and he/she will probably think it's a good idea. If you run out of bleach water for the area you need to cover, make some more and don't be skimpy on it. Parvo is deadly, so take it seriously. Your puppy is depending on you to fight this hidden enemy so he/she can protect you and bring you unconditional love and joy.
Keep in mind that puppies are real and alive. They have feelings.
They don't act like cartoon puppies either.
Issues Puppies Can Have At Their New Homes
Try to understand your puppy's point of view. Your puppy has been with mom and the litter mates. Mom weans her pups and they are learning to eat solid foods while still with their litter mates. The litter goes to the vet at 3-4 days old, 3 weeks and 6 weeks old. They get their check ups and at 6 weeks they also get their first set of shots. This all happens while still with their litter mates.
One by one, each pup is taken away from the litter and enter into a whole new world. New environment, new home, new people which is so strange to the pups. Not only is this all very strange, but can be very scarey, upsetting, where this can put a lot of stress on the pup. The pup doesn't know what is happening or why. The puppy may be thinking, "Why am I here? What am I doing here? Where are my litter mates? Who are these strangers? I want to go home, I'm scared."
A pup that shakes a lot is scared. The pup can get diarrhea, vomit which can likely be caused by stress. Remember, a pup can dehydrate in as little as 6 hours if the pup has diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking water or eating. Loose stools are common in pups going to their new homes. They are stressed and very upset. Give time for the pup to adjust. Watch them and if needed contact your vet.
