Puppy Information

A puppy is simply a juvenile dog, describing the period of time between the birth of a dog and reaching approximately one year of age. For a dog, this is the greatest period of development not only physically, but mentally and socially as well.
    • Young puppy

    Birth

    • Puppies are born after a period of approximately 61 days of gestation, and they begin to nurse nearly immediately. Puppies continue to nurse for the first seven weeks of age.

    Senses

    • Puppies are born deaf and blind, but they have a completely functional sense of smell from birth. Their senses all develop rapidly during the first two weeks of life.

    Development

    • Much of a puppy's initial body and personality development occurs in the first three to six weeks. Personalities become more apparent at about four weeks old.

    Independence

    • Puppies are dependent on their mother for the first eight weeks, not only for nourishment but also interaction and other aspects of development.

    Socialization

    • Socialization is of vital importance in the first 12 weeks of the puppy's development, including socialization with other puppies, adults and children.