Stages of puppy growth

Neonatal Period

This stage is from 0-2 weeks, instantly after the puppy born. In this stage, a pup needs to stay close to its mother and eat every two hours. It does not hear or see but only taste and touch. The neonatal period in puppies is the first few weeks of life, during which they are completely dependent on their mother for survival. During this time, puppies are born with their eyes and ears closed and are unable to walk or control their body temperature. They are also unable to eliminate on their own and must be stimulated by their mother to go to the bathroom. The neonatal period lasts from birth until around 2-3 weeks of age. During this time, puppies will begin to open their eyes and ears, grow more coordinated, and start to explore their environment. It is important for puppies to receive proper care during this period, including adequate nutrition, warmth, and socialization, in order to ensure their healthy development.

Transitional Period

This is the next stage where your pup will be able to stand, hear, see, bark, walk, and wag its tail. The transitional period in puppies is the time between the neonatal period (birth to 2-3 weeks of age) and the socialization period (3-12 weeks of age). It typically lasts from around 3-8 weeks of age. During this time, puppies will continue to develop and mature physically and mentally. They will become more coordinated and will start to explore their environment more actively. Their senses will also become more acute, and they will begin to respond to sights, sounds, and smells in their environment. The transitional period is also a time when puppies start to wean off of their mother's milk and begin eating solid food. It is important for puppies to receive proper care and nutrition during this time to ensure their healthy development.

Socialization Period

As the name suggests, this period between 1 month to three months will make your pooch increasingly playful. So, it is the most critical time for your furry baby to socialize with other people and dogs, although it will still require spending a lot of time with its mother. The socialization period in puppies is a critical time in their development, during which they learn to interact with other animals and people and become accustomed to a variety of sights, sounds, and experiences. It typically begins at around 3 weeks of age and lasts until around 12 weeks of age, although some experts believe that the socialization period may extend up to 16 weeks of age. During this time, it is important for puppies to be exposed to a wide range of people, places, and situations so that they can learn to cope with new experiences and become confident well-adjusted dogs. If puppies do not receive enough socialization during this period, they may be more prone to fear and aggression as adults.

Ranking Period

This period lasts until six months, and during this stage, your pup will start chewing and teething and learn about submission and dominance. After the socialization period, puppies will enter into the juvenile period, which is typically considered to be from around 6-18 months of age. During this time, puppies will continue to grow and develop physically, and they will also continue to learn about the world around them. They may become more independent and may start to test boundaries and assert themselves more. It is important for puppies to receive proper training, socialization, and care during this time to ensure that they grow into well-behaved, confident adult dogs.

Adolescence Period

This stage lasts until they become adults. During this period, your dog will enter puberty and learn their place in the pack. The adolescence period in dogs is a time of transition from puppyhood to adulthood, and it typically occurs between 6-18 months of age. During this time, dogs will continue to grow and mature physically and will also go through social and behavioral changes as they transition into adulthood. Adolescent dogs may be more energetic and playful than adult dogs, and they may also be more independent and more likely to test boundaries and assert themselves. It is important for dog owners to provide proper training, socialization, and supervision during this time to help their dogs develop into well-behaved, confident adult dogs.

During adolescence, dogs will also go through sexual maturity and may start to exhibit reproductive behavior, such as marking territory with urine or trying to mate. It is important for dog owners to be aware of these changes and to provide appropriate guidance and training to help their dogs learn appropriate behavior.