National Puppy Day | Fun Facts About Puppies

March 23, 2022

Happy National Puppy Day! March 23rd every year is a day to celebrate puppies! Puppies are man's best friend? They are loyal, loving, and make great companions. This blog post will discuss some fun facts about puppies and why they make such great pets. We will also provide some tips for adopting a puppy if you're thinking about adding one to your family!

History of National Puppy Day

Founded by Coleen Paige in 2006, National Puppy Day is a day to shed light on puppy farms and mills and how unhealthy and terrible they are. Puppy mills are places where dogs are kept and bred for the sole purpose of making a buck. The conditions of the mills or farms are inhumane, and the dogs are only treated as breeding machines. They don't get any love or attention, and their cages (yes, they are kept in cages and not free to roam) are filthy. Once the puppies are of a certain age, the mills will sell their puppies to a local pet store in the mall.

National Puppy Day educates the public on these horrendous conditions and encourages people to adopt their canine family members instead of going to the pet store to purchase one. Doing so reduces the financial incentives that keep puppy mills running. Please remember to ADOPT, don't SHOP.

Man's Best Friend

Puppies are known to be one of the most popular pets globally. In the United States alone, there are over 68 million pet dogs! They are loyal, loving, and playful creatures, which is why so many families have puppies and or dogs.

Puppies are there for you when you are upset, sad, and even when you're having a bad day. They will snuggle with you, give you kisses, or even give you a nudge when they think something is going on that they believe they can help with.

Puppies keep us on our toes. They will need guidance and patience to grow up and be respectful dogs.

Puppy Training

It's never too early to begin training a puppy. That said, did you know that puppies are born blind and deaf? They don't open their eyes until they are 9 - 12 days old and don't have full vision until week six or so. They won't start hearing until about week 3. So let's not rush them, but by eight weeks old, you should start teaching them basic commands like "sit" and "come."

A puppy's brain is about 25% of its adult size at birth and will continue to grow until it is about 12 months old. This means that puppies learn new things quickly and need plenty of socialization and training during their formative months. Starting early and staying consistent will help them in the months and years to come.

Being a Responsible Puppy Parent

Owning a puppy can be a lot of work, but it's worth it - they bring so much joy into our lives. That being said, puppy owners need to be responsible and ensure their puppies get enough exercise and playtime.

Much like child-proofing a home, you'll want to make your house puppy-safe. Be sure to lock up cleaning supplies or other household chemicals. Hide electrical cords. Install a fence around the yard so your puppy can safely experience the joy of being a puppy!

Puppies need to chew to develop strong teeth. As a result, they're often found chomping on shoes, gloves, curtains, furniture.... and anything else in sight! You'll want to be sure that the puppy has their own toys so they don’t chew up your kid's toys or your shoes! Avoid having to discipline them by providing lots of chew toys as they develop.

Salmon Oil for Puppies

Salmon oil for puppies provide several benefits due to its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Here are some of the benefits of salmon oil for puppies:

Healthy Brain and Nervous System Development: Omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA, are essential for the development of a puppy's brain and nervous system. These nutrients support cognitive function, learning, and overall brain health.
Promotes Healthy Vision: DHA is also crucial for the development of a puppy's visual system. It helps support optimal eye health and vision development during the critical growth stages.
Supports Healthy Skin and Coat: The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon oil help nourish the skin and promote a lustrous coat. They can help reduce dryness, itching, and flakiness, contributing to a healthy and shiny appearance.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: Salmon oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. This can be particularly beneficial for puppies with skin allergies or conditions causing inflammation, as it can help alleviate itching and irritation.
Supports Joint Health: Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have a positive effect on joint health. In growing puppies, salmon oil can help support the development of healthy joints and contribute to overall mobility and flexibility.

Fun Facts About Puppies

Puppies spend up to 20 hours a day sleeping, which helps develop their brain, bodies, and immune system. In comparison, human babies spend about 16 hours a day sleeping.
Puppies react like human babies do when softly spoken to in sing-song tones and baby talk. (The same study showed that adult dogs couldn't care less.)
Viewing pictures of puppies made people better at their jobs. Workers are more relaxed and focused on a given task by starting their day with a puppy break.
Puppies start their canine vocalization at around three weeks, with full barks at approximately 16 weeks.
They have all their adult teeth by the time they're six months old.
Chihuahuas are the only breed born with a soft spot on their skull, just like humans.
Every dog's nose print is as unique as a human's fingerprint.

If you're considering adding a furry friend to your family, consider adopting a puppy from your local shelter or rescue! They are known as man's best friends for a reason. And remember, owning a puppy is a lot of work, but it's definitely worth it! Puppies bring so much joy into our lives. We'd love to see pictures of your puppies on social media - use the hashtags #NationaPuppyDay #adoptdontshop and be sure to tag us @vitalpetlife so we can see them too!