Puppies are born with a sense of smell, an ability to squirm an astonishing distance, and a healthy appetite. For the first week, all they do is eat, sleep, squirm and eliminate. Newborn puppies cannot hear – their ear canals are still sealed shut; and they cannot see – their eyes are not yet fully developed and the lids are sealed shut.
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Weekly Calendar
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By the end of the first week, puppies have developed muscle tone and strength, and have doubled their birth weight. At the beginning of the second week their eyelids are still sealed shut, but by the end of the week some puppies will have both eyes open, and most puppies will have at least one eye open. Puppy ears will unseal at around this time too, and puppies will hear noises for the first time.
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This is the week that puppies really become little dogs. Although they are still a bit unsteady on their feet, they will start to play with each other and respond to the people and noises in their environment. At this stage, puppies love to snuggle and fall asleep in your arms.
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By four weeks of age, the pups’ teeth are coming in and they are beginning to sneak into mom’s food bowl for a taste of grown-up food. The pups are more active and more aware, and respond to toys and voices – these puppies want to play! This is the beginning of the most critical development period: the lessons taught and the experiences learned during the next several weeks will have a lifelong impact on the adult dog’s character.
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5
Time to explore and play, and play and explore... Around this time, puppies develop to the point where they want to explore farther from the nest, and the big outdoors is calling to them. Everything is something new to chew on, from sticks to shoelaces to toes. But what to do about all this biting?
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By six weeks of age, the pups are getting bigger and more adventurous. Games of chase and hide-and-pounce are the order of the day. If you haven’t done so already, start crawling around your house on your hands and knees to look for all those dangling extension cords or forgotten mouse traps.
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About this time, breeders take the puppies to the vet for a wellness check and to get their microchips implanted. By now, the immunity that the puppies received from the colostrum (the first milk) is beginning to wear off, and it’s time for their first shots. Some diseases that puppies often receive vaccination for include:
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At eight weeks of age, puppies enter another critical developmental period called the “fear period.” During this period, which lasts from eight to 12 weeks of age, bad experiences can have a lifelong impact on the pup’s personality – so it’s important to make events positive and generally fun for the puppies.
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Even though your puppy is not yet fully vaccinated, it’s important to expose him or her to the outside world. Puppies kept in seclusion sometimes never get over a fear of different people and places because they did not experience these things while their brains were at the right stage of development.
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Puppies are like little sponges, learning at an amazing rate at this stage of development. Investing in early training now will have lifelong benefits for your dog (and for you). Gentle, positive training to teach puppies to respond to their name, as well as basic commands like “sit,” “down” and “come when called,” can be easy and fun.
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Even if you plan to use a professional groomer, it’s a good idea to get your puppy used to nail trims and baths at home, because sometimes the groomer isn’t available when puppies need a bath. But remember that events and traumas experienced at this age can have lifelong effects, so make grooming as pleasant as possible.
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At almost one year of age, your pup is becoming more mature and responsible every week. However, unless he has proven himself to be completely trustworthy when left unsupervised, you should continue to use the crate – overnight, when you are not at home, and whenever you are not in a position to supervise your dog. Using the crate offers several benefits, including:
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If you watch a puppy playing with an older dog, you’ll see it hang on to the older dog’s tail, dive at its feet, and throw itself at the older dog’s face, gnawing on its on ears and lips. That may be how dogs play with each other, but it’s not the best way for dogs to play with humans.
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Puppies of this age are still very much babies – everything goes into their mouths, and the world is a wonderful thing to chew on. Ample, safe, appropriate chew toys will help save your furniture and continued bite-inhibition training will save your shoelaces, leashes, coat hems – and hands.
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5
Some small breeds are already nearing adult size, but large and giant breeds still have a lot of growing to do. Puppies are getting to the phase where their brain chemistry changes and that natural tether keeping the puppy close to the protector, the nest and security is overcome by a desire to explore.
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Puppies are definitely adolescents now. Large and giant breeds are still growing, and may be clumsy and awkward as their bodies change almost daily. You may also notice that commands have lost their meaning. You say “sit” and your dog gives you a look and starts running around the yard jumping and play-bowing.
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Just when you thought it was safe to leave your puppy alone and unsupervised for short periods, the chewing really starts. Between now and about 10 months of age, puppies go through some intense teething and have a strong desire to chew. Provide extra chew toys and be vigilant – don’t leave anything to chance.
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At this age, small breeds look a lot like adults while large and giant breeds, although they still look “puppyish,” have almost reached their adult height. It’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming your dog is fully grown because it no longer looks like a puppy – but remember, he’s still young...
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At nine months of age, puppies are still at the exuberant, rambunctious, adolescent stage and need a place to thoroughly exercise and burn off excess energy. Off-leash parks with friendly, well-socialized dogs are an excellent way to keep your puppy well versed in canine communication – and well exercised too!
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By 10 months of age, a puppy is really getting the hang of what’s expected of a dog living in a human environment. Keep watching for those destructive moments – sometimes that chair leg or shoe is just irresistible. But for the most part, puppies have figured out the rules and are a joy to live with.
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12
A milestone – your puppy is one year old! Have a party and celebrate the wonderful dog your puppy has become. Small and medium breeds can be considered adults and large breeds are reaching their adult height and weight, however giant breeds are still maturing. In most cases, your dog is now ready for adult food.
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Although your dog may have reached its full height, it will continue to develop physically – filling out, developing muscle, and growing its adult coat. Mental attitude continues to become more responsible, but youthful enthusiasm and silliness will still appear in times of excitement. Now is a great time to get involved in a sport or activity with your dog.
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Growth plates are now closed in all breeds and sizes, so if you opted to wait to have your dog spayed or neutered, now is the time to book that appointment. There are many reasons to spay or neuter your dog, including reduced chance of disease and eliminating the chance of an unwanted litter. Read on to learn more...
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Development has leveled out and gradual changes will continue throughout your dog’s life. Bones will thicken, ribcages will broaden and heads will fill out – especially in the giant breeds, where growth will continue for up to two years. Now that he’s mature, your dog may also start to show signs of guarding and protective behaviour.
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It’s now time to book your dog in for his annual vaccines. During the appointment, your vet will give your dog a thorough examination that includes taking its temperature and measuring its pulse and respiration rates. Vaccine protocols can vary, depending on where you live and your dog’s lifestyle – for example, a dog that frequently attends shows and events will require different vaccines than a dog that stays at home most of the time...
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Aside from your dog’s annual vaccines, there are times when you might need to visit the vet’s office to treat minor injuries or illnesses, or even an emergency. You should keep your vet’s contact number in an easy-to-reach place – and if your neighbourhood has an after-hours emergency clinic, you’ll want to have that number handy as well. So when should you call the vet?
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Whether your dog is a toy, large or giant breed, by 18 months of age, it will be fully grown. It is now also socially and sexually mature. Since growth has leveled off, you’ll want to monitor his weight carefully and adjust his food accordingly. Be careful not to allow his normal “filling out” to become “fattening up.”
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