AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
Puppyhood is mysterious, exciting, challenging, curious, and full of transitions. Puppies are busy developing physical, cognitive, and social skills, which follow a very general timeline. If this sounds familiar, it’s not so different from the timelines and transitions we recognize in human babies and toddlers.
As with children, understanding what happens and when helps us know what to expect and what puppies need from us in order to grow into happy, healthy, and well-adjusted adult dogs.
A Puppy’s Beginning: Newborn to 4 Weeks Old
For the first three weeks or so, a puppy’s senses haven’t started working. They don’t see, hear, or smell yet and spend most of their time asleep.
A lot starts to happen between two and four weeks. Puppies begin to interact with their littermates and their mother. Their eyes open, they can see, and their other senses develop.
By four weeks, a puppy can walk and may even start to bark and wag their tail. Before the four-week mark, puppies need stimulation from their mother to eliminate; after then, they can do this by themselves. And, as anyone who’s raised a puppy knows, this is also the time those razor-sharp puppy teeth emerge.
Lots of Changes in Your Puppy’s Life: 4 to 8 Weeks
This is a busy time for a young puppy. The mother begins weaning her pups and teaching them how to behave. A puppy at this stage plays with their siblings, which is the equivalent of learning the rules of the playground. This is also the time when young puppies begin to explore and have a high fear threshold and can be gently and gradually exposed to everyday stimuli in the environment.
The eight-week mark can be an important time in a puppy’s life because this is often when they go to their permanent home. They’re matured enough to adjust to a new environment and still have a high fear threshold.
The “Fear Period” for Puppies: 8 to 12 Weeks
It seems counterintuitive that you’ve brought your puppy home at eight weeks, just when they’re becoming fearful and wary of new experiences. But they’re also at their most impressionable, and positive experiences will help them adjust to their new environment. This is your opportunity to expose your puppy to as many new people, new animals, and new situations as you think they can handle.
Like a young child, a puppy at this age is like a sponge, soaking up information and experiences. But it’s important to avoid frightening or painful experiences as much as possible. And, when such things do happen, “jolly” your pup through it, heap on the praise, and generally respond positively to allay your puppy’s fears.
Most rewarding of all during this period, this is the time when puppies form strong attachments to their people. You’re forging a lifetime relationship.
Pre-Adolescence in Puppies: 12 to 24 Weeks
Starting around 12 weeks, your puppy is less fearful and is becoming more curious and independent. They still have a lot to figure out, including their place in the family pecking order. Personality traits, like dominance and submissiveness emerge, as they learn more social skills.
Also emerging are their permanent teeth, which means chewing, chewing, and more chewing. It’s one of the ways that puppies explore, so chew toys will become a household necessity.
By 16 weeks, your puppy is ready for school. This is a good time to sign up for training classes, where you’ll learn how to train your puppy and they’ll start learning some social skills. Choose classes that are fun and enjoyable for you both. Your puppy is also ready for house-training and some basic commands like “come.”
Keep up the socialization, exposing your puppy to new people, places, and other animals. If you observe them closely, you’ll soon start to understand their body language and the signals that they’re uncomfortable or frightened. Exposing your puppy to new things in a controlled way will help them feel confident and secure. With their newfound confidence and growing independence, they’ll start exploring further away from your side.
Welcome to Life With a Teenaged Dog: 6 to 12 Months
Remember that adorable cuddly little puppy of just a few months ago? They’re a teenager now and things could get interesting. Dogs of this age start to test boundaries and many will try to assert themselves in the pack. They may challenge their humans and other pets in the household.
Puppies at this stage need a great deal of stimulation and activity; their boredom threshold is about the same as a young teenager’s. You can expect some misbehaving and disobedience during this stage, as your puppy reaches sexual maturity. Keep up the training and provide lots of opportunity for play and exercise.
Your puppy will become quite the explorer during this stage. Walks around the neighborhood become an adventure for them as they use scent to learn about their environment; where other dogs live, the best spot to stop for a pee, the bushes where squirrels hide, and whose grass is the best for rolling around on. Combine teaching good leash manners with enough freedom for some neighborhood exploration.
Not a Puppy Anymore: 12 to 18 Months
Most dogs reach their emotional maturity between 12 and 18 months and have the temperament and personality they’ll have through adulthood. In general, smaller breeds mature sooner, while larger breeds can take longer to reach both physical and emotional maturity. You can still expect some puppy hijinks and energy and, depending on breed, that energy could last for several more years.
You’ve spent the last 18 months giving your puppy a safe environment in which to grow. You’ve been preparing them for adulthood by teaching them to be a good family member, and you’re becoming familiar with their temperament and needs. Most importantly, you’ve created a bond that will last a lifetime.
Don’t miss crucial information when it comes to raising your puppy. Get personalized training, nutritional, veterinary, and everyday advice sent straight to your inbox. Subscribe to Pupdate, a weekly email newsletter with customized content based on your puppy’s breed and age.