Developmental Stages Of Puppy Behavior 

Although feeding time is important, it’s also vital to include petting, talking and playing, in
order to help your puppy build good “people-skills.” Well-socialized mothers are more likely
to have well-socialized puppies. Puppies “feed” off of their mothers’ calm or fearful attitude
toward people.

littermates (or other role-model dogs) for at least 12 weeks.

Puppies separated from their littermates too early often don’t develop appropriate “social
skills,” such as learning how to send and receive signals, what an “inhibited bite” means, how far to go in play wrestling and so forth. Play is important to help puppies increase their
littermates helps them learn “how to be a dog” and is also a way to explore ranking (“who’s
in charge”).

first two years.

The following chart provides general guidelines for the stages of development.

0 - 2 weeks = Neonatal
Most influenced by their mother.
Touch and taste present at birth.

2 - 4 weeks = Transitional
Most influenced by their mother and littermates.
Eyes open, teeth erupt, hearing and smell developing.
Beginning to stand, walk a little, wag, bark.
By four or five weeks, sight is well developed.

3 - 12 weeks = Socialization

being a dog.

physical coordination.

(dogs and people) and relationships, including play.

By five to seven weeks they’re developing curiosity and exploring new experiences.
They need positive “people” experiences during this time.

housetraining) and full use of senses.

By eight to ten weeks they experience real fear -- when puppies can be alarmed by
normal objects and experiences and need positive training.

focus on people. This is a good time to begin training.

3 - 6 months = Ranking
Most influenced by “littermates” (playmates now include those of other species).
Beginning to see and use ranking (dominant and submissive) within the pack,
including humans.
Teething (and associated chewing).
At four months they experience another fear stage.

6 - 18 months = Adolescence
Most influenced by human and dog “pack” members.
At seven to nine months they go through a second chewing phase -- part of exploring
Heightened exploration of dominance, including challenging humans.
If not spayed or neutered, beginnings of sexual behavior.

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