National Puppy Day is Coming Up!
Posted by Kat Powers on
Here's What You Need to Know
National Puppy Day is coming up this Wednesday, March 23, 2022. This day commemorates our love for puppies, and their unconditional love for us! It is also a reminder to help fight unhealthy dog breeding culture, and to check shelters for possible new pets. Of the 3.3 million dogs that enter shelters every year according to the ASPCA, many of them come with puppies.
They Learn from their Mom
According to many trainers and dog behavior experts, puppies that live with their mothers for enough of their young life learn good manners. Some problems with dogs start from being taken away form their litter and mother too early. It it natural for puppies to test boundaries much like young children do. Their mothers and litter mates will let them know when they are being too rambunctious.
When Puppies Can Come Home with You
Although young puppies are very cute, it's best to let them stay with their mom and litter until an appropriate age. Many breeds ween their pups around 6 weeks, but it is recommended they stay with their mother until they are between 8-10 weeks old. The primary socialization period can last until they are as old as 14 weeks. They learn manners, behaviors, and social skills from their mother, litter mates, and their breeder or foster parents. Adult dogs that don't have this time as puppies are often difficult to train, hard to live with, and sometimes end up in shelters because of that. So break the cycle, and take home a still cute slightly older puppy.