English bulldog puppies need special care when they are newborns.
All newborn English bulldog puppies require specialized care during the earliest stages of life in order to develop into social, well-behaved pets. Though dogs of the breed are known for being affectionate and gentle, bad experiences early on can drastically change personality, causing these normally friendly animals to become timid and fearful of people or even aggressive towards them. To keep this from happening, English bulldog owners must understand the developmental stages of their pets and work to meet the animals' specialized needs during this important time.
The Neonatal Period
When English bulldog puppies are between 0 and 2 weeks of age, they are in the neonatal period. The best thing a responsible pet owner can do during this period is to leave the puppies alone. All of their needs are basic. These include food, warmth and protection, all of which are received from the mother dog. The only exception to this rule is for pet owners who intend to raise their English bulldogs to be show dogs. If this is the case, then the puppies should be held for a few seconds each day, briefly exposed to cold, and weighed daily to acclimate the dogs to stress and begin cultivating a proper temperament.
The Transitional Period
Once English bulldog puppies reach two weeks of age, they become aware of and begin to explore their five senses, which should now be fully functioning. Owners may pick up the puppies and spend short amounts of time with them each day to get them used to human contact. Handling sessions should be brief and controlled, and the puppies should feel safe at all times. If handled consistently and correctly, some of the positive English bulldog traits, such as friendliness and enthusiasm, should begin to come out.
The Awareness Period
During the third and fourth weeks of their lives, the puppies' senses are completely developed and their brains are growing rapidly each day. During this stage, English bulldog puppies also become aware of other members of the litter, a process known as species identification. If no other dogs are present, a puppy may identify with other animals in the house or with humans. Puppies should not be separated from their mother during this stage, since this can cause serious emotional and behavioral problems from which the puppies will never recover. Owners should take care not to stress out the puppies in any way or to change their daily routine, as this too will cause adverse effects that are likely to be permanent.
Post-Newborn Development
After the fourth week of life, English bulldog puppies are no longer considered newborns. While they are not yet ready to leave their mothers, they will grow braver and more independent on a daily basis. The puppies need plenty of time to play with one another and with other people. This will make them better pets and will teach them appropriate behavior with humans and other animals. Once the puppies reach approximately seven to eight weeks of age, they may be separated from their mother and the litter if necessary.
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