Early Stages

From the time a puppy is born up to three weeks after birth, the puppy is blind, toothless, and deaf. Their only senses are touch and taste. During the first week of the puppy growth stage, 90% of their time is spent sleeping, and 10% feeding. They are barely able to crawl. Somewhere between the first and second week, their little closed eyes open for the first time, although vision development isnt complete until 4-5 weeks. They begin to hear between the second and third week. They start to whimper when they are hungry, uncomfortable, or left alone. Puppies grow while asleep. Puppies sleep more than a human baby. During the first three weeks, they are totally dependent upon their mother for food, comfort, emotional development, security, and to learn the basics of doggie-hood.

Weeks Three through Eight

At week three of the puppy growth stage, pups begin developing a sense of smell, they will start to bark and growl, wag their tails, and bare their teeth. Up to around the fourth week, the mother will stay with her pups almost all of the time. A puppy can be weaned between weeks three and five as they begin to teethe. They will begin trying to stand up and soon they will begin to walk; by about the fourth week, puppies have mastered the first skills of using their legs. By week 5 of the puppy growth stages, they should be able to chase things. Confidence is growing and this is when dominance is established among the litter. Puppies start to grow rapidly during weeks 4 and 5 and 8 and at 8 weeks are ready to be vaccinated.

Weeks 8 through 12

Puppies growing up are already mature enough between weeks 8 and 12 to be placed into their new home with a loving human family.

This period is often referred to as the fear imprint period; avoid frightening the puppy during this period.   Any traumatic, frightening or painful experience will have a more lasting effect on the puppy than if it occurred at any other time in its life.

Since this is the time you take puppy home I cant emphasize enough the importance of NO stress during the transition. The puppy will be fearful, and shaky at first however if you put him in dog jail with minimal handling for the first couple of days you will see this uncertainty disappear! Get puppy out for periods of exercise, encourage running and playing with you while you are sitting on the ground. Dont restrict him by cuddling but rather let him come to you and pat all the while allowing pup the choice to get away. This will develop confidence in their new home and with you. The puppy will start to learn its name and respond when called.

Weeks 12 through 16

The puppy's first permanent teeth begin to break through the gums. Continue to give him plenty of attention and interesting toys to play with. During this phase of development he may want to chew on everything in sight and must be taught what toys he is permitted to chew. He may try to challenge your authority. Discipline should consist of "NO" spoken in a stern voice.

Recent research indicates that 5 -6 months is a good time to plan spay/neuter.

Puppy may wander and ignore you.  It is very important that you keep the puppy on a leash at this time.  The way you handle the puppy at this time determines if the puppy will come to you when called.  At about 4-1/2 months, the puppy loses his milk teeth and gets his adult teeth.  That's when puppy begins serious chewing.  A dog's teeth don't set in his jaw until between 6 and 10 months.  During this time, the puppy has a physical need to exercise his mouth by chewing.

Eight Months through One Year

Six Months through 14 months

This is referred to as the second fear imprint or fear of new situations period.

Dog again shows fear of new situations and even familiar situations.  Dog may be reluctant to approach someone or something new.   It is important that you are patient and act very matter of fact in these situations.  Never force the dog to face the situation.  Do not pet the frightened puppy or talk in soothing tones.  The puppy will interpret such responses as praise for being frightened.  Training will help improve the dog's confidence

Your puppy will have reached his growth potential from 6 months to 1 year. However, he is still a puppy in many behavioral ways until he is age 2. Commonly they settle right down and the silliness is gone. Pups really grow and mature rapidly in the first year, so nutrition, exercise and their environment will determine how healthy they will be psychologically, emotionally and physically.