Kanan Dog (Detailed Introduction)

       Generally, we think that the earlier we raise a dog, the better the relationship will be between us and the dog. Indeed, bringing a dog home when it is still small has some benefits for the relationship between the dog and its owner. However, there is no need to be in a hurry because a dog that is too young is not suitable for us to raise. So at what age is it better to start raising a dog? Usually, dogs around three months old are more suitable for us to raise.

       1. Survival Rate: When puppies are born, they inherit some antibodies from their mother, which help them resist fatal diseases for a period after birth. After one month, this protection weakens. When the puppy goes to a new home, environmental changes can cause stress, irregular eating, and other maladaptations. At this time, if the puppy is weak and has not developed antibodies against some fatal diseases, it can easily contract deadly diseases such as distemper or parvovirus. Puppies around three months old have usually completed their vaccinations, so their resistance to viruses is much higher, making them less prone to illness.

       2. Feeding Difficulty: This is also a very practical issue. Puppies at different stages have different nutritional needs and digestive abilities. The smaller the puppy, the more frequent but smaller meals they need. Two-month-old puppies must eat at least four times a day, with limited portions at each meal, because they cannot control their intake—eating too much leads to indigestion and diarrhea, too little affects their development. After three months, puppies usually eat three times a day, and if you cannot feed them at noon, a little more or less at other times is not a big problem. This makes it much easier for owners.

       3. Closeness to Humans: Dogs naturally form very close and dependent feelings toward the first person they frequently interact with who feeds and plays with them. Of course, for adult dogs, quickly becoming very intimate may be difficult, but for puppies around three to four months old, they quickly recognize their owner, remember their name, and understand they have a new home.

       From these perspectives, we can see that it is not always better to raise a dog as early as possible. There is an optimal time for raising a dog. Puppies around three months old are more suitable both physically and mentally for beginner dog owners, and the best education time for the dog is also around four months, so we will not miss this golden time.