two labs in basket

4-5 Weeks

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS CHANGES

  • All the senses will be working well now
  • Those puppy teeth will have erupted
  • They will be walking well and running, but still falling over now and again

SOCIALISATION

  • Should remain with mother and the litter
  • Plenty of playtime is needed to learn how to socialise
  • Sleep and play areas should be separated so puppy can leave the sleeping area to go to the toilet. This will make housetraining much easier
  • Time for some serious one-on-one individual attention with people
  • Each puppy should be occasionally isolated to get them ready for separation from mum and the litter
  • Noises, like TV, radio, children playing etc. should be part of daily routine
  • By the fifth week, pups begin socialisation training with humans too

FEEDING

  • They learn bite inhibition i.e. to control the force of their bite
  • Mum begins weaning the puppies
  • Can start to slowly introduce puppy food
  • The puppies should be prevented from eating their mother’s food as their diets will be different. Trying to steal mum’s food is a good sign they are ready to start eating solids
  • By mixing one part water with three parts food it makes it easier to digest

VACCINATIONS AND TREATMENTS