IAMS PH
Puppy Basics: Feeding Tips for the First 6 Months
Puppy Basics: Feeding Tips for the First 6 Months-mob

adp_description_block371
Puppy Basics: Feeding Tips for the First 6 Months

  • Share

The timeline for feeding your puppy changes rapidly over the first six months. Learn what and how you should feed your puppy based on the key development milestones she will experience.

 

Why Is It Important to Know Milestones for Puppy Development?

Due to breed differences and animal individuality, it is impossible to predict exact dates for a puppy’s growth and development milestones. However, by using the following milestones as a guide for healthy growth, developmental problems can be spotted — and possibly prevented — early on. By knowing these milestones, you’ll also know when your puppy is ready to begin weaning.

 

Puppy Developmental Milestones

AgeMilestone
7-10 days oldPuppies double their birth weight.
Puppies begin to urinate and defecate on their own.
10-18 days oldPuppies attempt to stand.  
Puppies’ eyes begin to open.
Puppies’ ears begin to open.
18-21 days oldPuppies hear and respond to noises.
Puppies begin to walk.
3 weeks oldBegin weaning process for orphaned puppies.
Puppies begin responsive vocalization.
Deciduous (baby) teeth will begin erupting.
4 weeks oldBegin weaning process for mother-fed puppies.
3–6 months oldPuppies’ adult teeth erupt.

 

How to Wean Puppies with IAMS™

When your puppy is ready to begin weaning (at around 4 weeks for mother-fed puppies and 3 weeks for orphaned puppies), use this step-by-step process:
 

  1. Introduce a small amount of water in a shallow dish. Most puppies will play in the water; however, within four or five days, your puppy will begin to develop drinking skills. Some animals might require longer periods for training, so don’t be discouraged if your puppy resists bowl training.
  2. Begin mixing an IAMS ProActive Health™ Smart Puppy Original food with water. Be sure to provide a separate dish for fresh water.
  3. Gradually increase the amount of soft food while decreasing the amount of water in the mixture until your puppy is eating soft food only.
  4. Repeat the process, mixing the appropriate dry IAMS puppy food with the soft food, and then increase the solid food while decreasing the soft food until the transition is complete.
     

The entire process should take approximately three weeks.

feeding tips for the first 6 months header
article feeding tips for the first 6 months header
  • How to teach your dog to stop barking
    How to teach your dog to stop barking
    adp_description_block16
    How to Stop a Dog from Barking?

    • Share

    Barking is your dog’s way of communicating. We often observe dogs barking at people and things to grab attention. It is a normal dog behaviour that is often a reflex for expressing emotions related to anxiety, aggression, or boredom. Different types of barks emote different moods and feelings of the dog. Dogs also bark to stop others from entering their territory.
     

    Even though dogs bark to communicate their emotions, excessive barking can cause disturbance to pet parents. In such situations, pet caregivers often look for ways to teach barking on command to their fur babies. If you too want to learn how to stop a dog from barking in the right manner, then read the following.
     

    How to teach your dog to stop barking

    Dogs often bark to claim territory, express emotions, and communicate with others. However, sometimes, dogs might not know how to control their barking habits. Teaching your pooch to stop barking unnecessarily makes them calmer by sharpening their natural instincts. While barking is a norm for dogs, barking on command is a skill that you easily teach your fur baby. Follow the below points to learn how to teach your dog to stop barking.

    • Teach commands: With patience, persistence, and practice, you teach your dog to control its barking habits. It is easy to stop your dog from barking with a little effort. Training dogs to follow commands related to barking is beneficial in managing this dog behavior. You need to start by teaching your furry friend to follow commands by training them regularly.

    The following are a few things you can try to teach your dog to stop barking on command:

    • Try to calm the dog by using affirmative words. Using calming words and actions can help reduce anxiety and stress in dogs. Once they relax, you can pet them a little to stop them from barking completely.
    • You can also use commands for sitting to relax your fur baby. Most dogs bark when they get territorial or anxious. Using commands for sitting can work as a reassurance that can help them calm down. If the dog is barking out of fright or anxiety, you should try to use words of praise and encourage it to relax.
    • You can also use certain words like ‘stop, ‘relax’ and ‘calm down’ to signal the pooch to stop barking. However, to teach them to do so, you must use the commanding word every time they bark.
    • Offer treats: Another effective way to teach your dog to stop barking is by offering them their favourite treats. Most dogs have ADHD, which means it is very easy to distract them. If the dog is distressed and won’t stop barking, you should try to calm it down by offering its favourite treat. Simply try to grab their attention by showing them a treat. However, avoid offering the treat directly. Once you have the pooch’s attention, command them to stop barking and treat them only once they listen to you. Follow this method regularly to eventually teach your canine friend to stop barking simply on receiving a treat.
    • Distract with favourite toys: Dogs can also be distracted by their favourite toys. Simply show the pet its favourite toy the next time they start barking. You can also ask them to fetch a ball or start playing with them to distract them from barking.
    • Console and praise: Sometimes dogs bark to warn or grab your attention towards something that is genuinely bothering them. Hence, it is always better to first try to analyse why the pooch is barking before trying to stop them from barking. Pay attention towards the dog’s body language and mannerisms when it barks. If it is barking towards a direction, you can check in that direction to see if there is something that might be alarming. Paying attention towards your pet’s barks and trying to console it with words of praise will not only calm it but will also subside its anxiety and fright.

    Though these tricks will train your canine companion to control its barking habits, you must know that barking is a reflex instinct for dogs. Hence, it is imperative to stay consistent and regular when training a dog. It often takes time for dogs to learn commands and control their instinct to bark. However, with regular practice and consistent effort, you can eventually stop your dog from barking at will.

Close modal