Puppies are extraordinarily responsive to mood swings of owners and this will frequently build insecurity in the puppy, which then indulges in stress relieving activities like digging and gnawing. In grim cases, stress can cause self-mutilation like tail-chasing and chewing, the steady licking of paws and tail and the chewing of the front leg, which can produce a unpleasant, nauseating sore. Inconsistent moods and behaviour patterns in an owner lead to a breakdown in a dog's respect for pack leadership ; similarly, an unexcited angle can produce the same reply. This loss of respect leads to the owner's disappointment with their pet, which in turn builds up more stress in the pup leading to further problem behaviour. An owner must be consistent in techniques of coaching and treatment of the dog. Double standards of coaching in the family group only may cause confusion and stress for the puppy.

A puppy goes thru a phobia imprint stage between the age of eight - ten weeks and a dire experience to a stressed puppy at this time can affect its behaviour for the remainder of its adults life. The vet will check the puppy over and give it its first shots for distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus. A yearly vaccination and check up is needed after this, unless otherwise stated by your vet. A puppies first trip to the Vet should be around 6-8 weeks and then again at 12-14 weeks. A puppies first trip to the vet should be around 6-8 weeks and then again at 12-14 weeks. The vet will check the puppy over and give it its first vaccinations for distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus.

An once a year vaccination and check up is needed after this, unless otherwise stated by your vet.