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The Puggy Page
Pictures
Meet the Pug
Buying Puppies
Setting Up House
Training and Care
General Care
Nutrition
Pug Problems 1
Pug Problems 2
Pug Clubs
Breeding 1
Breeding 2
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Puppy Over Twelve Weeks of Age Just as a child should not be kept in a closet for the first three years of its life, a puppy needs different experiences during the first twelve weeks of its life. Although, time consuming, a conscientious breeder will expose each puppy to at least three different environments before reaching the age of 12 weeks. Also, puppies will receive 5 - 10 minutes of individual attention each day in order to build the puppies self confidence. This "socializing" must be continued all through the dogs life in order to produce a well-adjusted adult. If a puppy is kept in a kennel situation, or even home-raised but limited to one or two areas and not given individual attention, the puppy (or adult dog) is more likely to be difficult to house train, may be frightened of strange noises and places, and may be known as kennel shy and act like a dumb dog. Therefore, when buying an older puppy or adult dog, make certain that the dog has been properly socialized. Do not expect that you will transform a fearful dog into a confident one. With some very hard work changes for the better are possible, but a personality defect caused by heredity will never completely disappear, while an environmental deficiency can usually be corrected. |