Puppy Stages
A look at puppy's life from birth to one year
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COAT I can appreciate that it is hard for you to picture a week old pup as I am describing it to you over the phone.  These photos are to help you see why I have so much trouble answering some of your questions.

• Birth; first 2 photos.  

• 4 weeks. 

• Finally, you have the pups at 6-8 weeks.  

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.

Your new furry friend is now old enough for obedience school, and/or professional training. I like puppy classes as they offer the puppy a chance to become dog socialized, encourage the owner to continue enforcing manners and obedience and give you a chance to be reinforced as to your methods of training.

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.

PUPPY TRAINING TIMELINE

ARRIVE HOME: Take pup OUT of dog crate, store dog crate in garage

PUT PUP IMMEDIATELY IN DOG JAIL

DOG JAIL: MUST have litter box & litter, bed, food, water, heat

HANDLING: ONLY by residents of the house: start 2 hours after arriving home, repeat every few hours (if you want) for 20 minutes only This is a time for pup to run, NOT be held. 4 days later: you can increase the amount of time with handling and playing

3 MONTHS: Get crate out of garage: AFTER play time, put pup in crate for 2 hours, lock door-----ONCE a day for a week. ALWAYS use CRATE to transport pup

BEGIN: harness/ leash training. ONLY use a harness. Put harness on pup for an hour a day then remove. 5 days later, attach leash and encourage pup to follow,"COME, COME".

10-12 WEEKS: Introduce hard kibble

4 MONTHS: ONCE pup has had LAST shot take pup outside to start training. EMPTY a dirty litter box in the area you wish pup to use. CARRY pup out and place on litter saying: "POTTY- POTTY" . When pup is done give lots of praise pick up and bring inside.---do this for several days Attach harness/leash and WALK puppy out to go potty. Follow the same routine as before.

WHEN YOU ARE COFIDENT THAT POTTY TRAINING IS ON A SCHEDULE

4 ½ - 5 MONTHS: Pup can now spend ALL night in the crate. Take food and water away from pup at about 6-7 pm. About 9-10 pm take pup outside to go potty. Once accomplished—allow pup to run around a bit in the house and then lock in the crate until about 6-7am. DO THIS EVERYNIGHT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

6 - 8 MONTHS: SPAY OR NEUTER

Pup is safe to sleep in bed with you AFTER about 8-10 months of age.