Puppy Development Chart
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1Puppy Development Chart
Development Stages of a
Age
Learning and Development
What you should be doing
Suggested Veterinary Care
dog
Neonatal
Birth to 12 Days
Learning begins
Breeder provides warm environment
Breeder has puppies checked by a vet one
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to two days old to rule out birth defects
Puppy can’t see at all and he doesn’t hear
Early stress is beneficial- A good breeder handles the
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well. Mostly immobile, he stays close very
pups regularly and gently. This enables the dog to cope
close to mother and litter mates
with stress more easily later in life.
Puppy’s rate of mental development will quickly depend
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on how complex their environment is.
Transition Period
13 to 20 days
Eyes open, puppy can hear, begins to walk
A good breeder provides a complex environment. This
Usually nothing if pups are healthy
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in a wobbly fashion
helps develop the puppy’s perceptual and learning
abilities. Ex: A variety of noises, surfaces to walk on,
By the end of this period the puppy starts
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different people to meet and unique toys to play with.
to eliminate spontaneously.
Visitors should remove shoes and wash hands before
The puppy starts to tale in solid food
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handling the pups.
Primary Socialization
3 to 7 weeks
Responsible Breeder Checklist
The sense of vision begins to develop;
Usually none if the pup is healthy
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adult vision is reached at about 8 weeks of
It is essential that the puppy remain with his mother and
First Visit Should Include:
Period
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age.
litter, at the breeder’s location
Socialize puppy with vet clinic staff. Use
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Puppy is able to use senses of sight and
A complex, stimulating environment is essential to help
yummy treats!
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hearing.
develop the puppy’s perceptual and learning abilities.
Do handling exercises with the pup(ears,
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The puppy begins to learn from good
Clear distinction between sleep and play area should be
mouth, paws, body)
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experiences( i.e. with positive
made. This ensures the puppy can leave his living area to
Make sure the last thing that happens
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reinforcement)
eliminate.
before you leave the clinic is fun for the
Learns from litter mates not to bite to
Each litter mate should have one-on-one contact with
puppy!
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hard.
humans.
With regular trips to the vet just for fun,
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Learns to relate with other litter mates
Occasionally isolate puppy’s to prepare them for
you reduce the possibility of you adult dog
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through play
separation. This is an excellent time to employ the use of
developing an aversion to the clinic
Mother guides the puppy’s behavior
a crate. A puppy that has been crate training at the
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Mother begins to wean the puppies
breeder will have an easier transition when they move to
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their new home. The breeder ensures the experience is a
between 4 to 8 weeks.
positive one.
Exposure to a variety of noises and different floor
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surfaces is also important.
Human Socialization period
Starts week 7
Puppy should be completely weaned from
Usually a puppy goes to the new home after 8 weeks of
Incorporate treats throughout the visit.
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mother
age.
Ensure socialization and handling exercises
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Ends somewhere
This is the age when most rapid learning
Absolute critical period in which puppy should be
get done with the vet staff.
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between 12 and 14
occurs
socialized-maximize this time! Enroll in a good puppy
Ask vet how to clip your pup’s nails.
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weeks
class.
Greatest impact on future social behavior
Discuss your puppy’s dental care
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will be made by any experience that
Ideal time to capitalize on educating your puppy.
The last thing you do prior to leaving the
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happens at this point.
Take into account puppy’s physical limitations and short
clinic should be FUN for the pup(use treats
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The window of opportunity is closing.
attention span.
and toys)
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Don’t miss this very important learning
Typically’ puppies can begin attending class after their 2
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opportunity for your puppy. Although
set of vaccines, some time around 12 weeks of age.
puppies may still benefit from continued
socialization, it is never as effct8ive after
14 weeks of age.
This period falls within the Human Socialization Period.
Fear Impact Period
8 to 11 weeks
Trips to the vet need to be pleasant (take the puppy
Usually none if pup is healthy
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This is when puppies start to learn from
there just for fun!). Vet staff can give the puppy a treat.
Drop by the clinic with your pup just for
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bad experiences, i.e. they remember bad
Use fun, short sessions, and be positive because of “fear
fun! Don’t forget to bring your toys and
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things that happen to them.
impact”. This kind of mind set will enable you to be
treats.
Anything that frightens the puppy during
successful, as you continue to socialize your puppy.
While you are at the clinic, don’t forget to
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this period could have a more lasting
Avoid any potentially overwhelming circumstances you
do the handling exercises. Concentrate on
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effect than if occurred at any other time
cannot personally oversee, such as shipping your pup in
the week spots (hind legs often get
This is also a time when puppies are
the cargo bay on an airplane.
forgotten).
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particularly easily frightened.
Week 14 The time to easily socialize your puppy is coming to a close
Occurs between the
Juvenile Period
Puppy has been in the home for approx. 4
So long as you provide structure and healthy
Discuss rabies vaccine with your vet
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socialization period and
weeks
management of your puppy’s time, this transition
Check with vet to see if a stool sample is
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puberty
Pups will attempt to clarify and resolve
should be relatively painless
required.
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their boundaries.
Puppy should be attending a socialization class by now.
Discuss heartworm prevention program
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Most of the height growth occurs during
If these things have not been provided for, all heck is about to break
with your vet.
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this period and ends by puberty
loose!
Puppy begins to mature sexually: male
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begins to lift leg, female has first heat
period usually between 6 to 12 months.
Some dogs may be earlier, some later than
that.
Puppy coat being replaced by more
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distinct adult coat. Timing depends on the
breed
He will be uncomfortable because his
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adult teeth are growing in.
Adolescent Period
Starts with puberty and
A puppy will test his wings
It is because of this stage that prevention over cure is advocated – you
Discuss spay or neuter of your dog with
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ends with social maturity
He may test to see if all the rules are still
must st5art socializing and training before now! When you notice a
your vet- book an appointment!
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the same
change in your dog during this time, he is probably going through
Consider Micro-chipping your dog.
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puberty; your puppy is changing physiologically. Your awareness of
He may not come when called.
Check with vet to see if stool sample is
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these changes in behavior will help you get through this commonly
He may not play fetch even though he
required
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difficult period.
once did.
Your consistency and predictability are
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This is the time when obedience schools get most of their calls. Puppies
essential right now.
that have not been socialized and worked with take a different path
than pups that have.
Your puppy will still go through this period regardless
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of your good early work – be aware of the change and
ride it out.
Be prepared with appropriate chew bones (large
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enough so that the pup won’t chock) to help with your
pup’s need to chew. Use a long line in the park if your
pup is not coming when called.
Second Fear Impact Period
Can occur before puberty,
May suddenly be apprehensive about new
If your puppy appears apprehensive, avoid
Drop by vet clinic for handling exercises
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but may occur between 5
things or shy or timid of new people or
confrontation.
(ears, mouth, paws and body) just for fun.
Lasts approx. 3 weeks
and 12 months
situations.
Building confidence through training is a worthwhile
Your puppy should be comfortable going
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effort.
into the vet clinic.
Avoid any potential overwhelming circumstances you
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can not personally oversee, such as shipping your pup
in the cargo bay on an airplane.
Maturity
1 to 4 years
Refers to social maturity
Until this period has been reached, it is recommended
Return for yearly check up.
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that your pup remains crated or the equivalent
Smaller dogs mature earlier. Larger dogs
Possible x-ray for hip dysplasia
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later.
(structure) when you are not available to supervise his
behavior.
If you were lax in your work earlier on, you
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may now wee the things you have missed:
You will know when your dog is trust worthy by testing
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object guarding, unfavorable reactions
him for short periods (10-15 min.) while you leave the
towards unfamiliar people, animals, or
house. If your dog is damaging property while loose,
things that your dog missed during the
he is not ready.
socialization stage
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