Puppy Development Stages
| Period |
Age |
Puppy Development |
What your need to do ..... |
| New Born |
0 to 14 days |
Suckling, sleeping, crawling. Eyes opening at 10-14 days |
|
| Transitional |
14 to 21 days |
Senses start to operate. First teeth push through |
Daily gentle handling by the breeder. Start to get prepared
with the New Puppy Checklist |
| Socialisation Period |
3 to 5 weeks |
Plays with litter mates, urinates and defecates on its own |
Breeder divides sleep and play areas. More handling and
playing with litter mates. |
| 5 to 8 weeks |
Weaning begins, dominance games with
litter mates |
Puppy arrives at new home at 8 weeks.
Introduce dogs and children and consider crate training. Start
housetraining. Lots of toys and human games. |
| 8 to 12 weeks |
Exploratory behaviour, starts assessing
position in the pack |
Start establishing yourself as the pack
leader and work on bite inhibition. Select a good puppy class
and book a place. Start desensitisation to people, objects and
noises |
| Juvenile |
3 to 6 months |
Starts Teething. Not fully independent, but exploring
further |
Start puppy socialisation classes (between 12-20 weeks),
training good manners and lots of chew and teething toys |
| Adolescence |
6 to 18 months |
Starts Teething. Sexual maturity.
Territorial behaviour |
The most difficult time for owners!
Tackle common behaviour problems. Keep reinforcing pack leader
status. Continue basic obedience training and lots of
stimulation with activity toys and games |
| Maturity |
12/18 months + |
Fully formed physically |
Enjoy and indulge your passion for dogs. Keep up regularly
training sessions and perhaps a few dog tricks that could even
make them useful ! |
|
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