The development of your puppy: growth phases and tips

The rapid growth and development your puppy is going through are quite complex for such a small body. As your puppy grows up, he grows up, learns new things and develops his character. At the same time, there may be times when he does not listen, act obstructively or even react with fear. These are completely normal phases.

In this article we explain the different growth phases and describe what happens per month. This way you better understand what your puppy needs in terms of nutrition, guidance and training. This gives you more confidence as a new puppy owner.

Interesting facts about your puppy

Senses

• Newborn puppies open their eyes around the second week.
• Their hearing works well from about three weeks old. Adult dogs can hear frequencies up to twice higher than humans.

Immune system

• Your puppy's immune system is still developing in the first six months. Good nutrition and care help keep your puppy healthy.

Strong bones

• In the first year, your puppy's bones still need to become strong, up to four times stronger than concrete.

Neonatal phase (0–2 weeks)

This phase is the first period of the growth curve and lasts two weeks. All puppies, regardless of size, go through this phase. They are completely dependent on their mother and littermates.

Week 1

• The mother dog is the most important thing for the puppy: it provides nutrition, cleaning the nest and helps with temperature regulation.
• Pups cannot yet stand or walk independently and mainly move while crawling.

Week 2

• The eyes open around day 10, but hardly respond to light or movement.
• It is time for the first deworming treatment, preferably with a paste that is easy to dose by weight.

Transition phase (week 3)

• The senses develop further. Pups begin to actively research and show interest in feed and water troughs.
• The mother remains important because the puppies still drink milk. Provide food rich in protein for mother and puppy.
• The first teeth break through; provide sufficient chewing toys.

First socialization phase (week 4–7)

Week 4–5

• Time for the second deworming treatment.
• Milk teeth appear (28 in total).
• Pups can start with solid food, for example slightly soaked chunks.

Week 6–7

• First veterinary visit and vaccination against distemper and parvovirus.
• Chips can be placed (mandatory in the Netherlands).
• Repeat deworming.
• Pups start weaning less and can switch completely to puppy food.

Week 8–12: To the new owner

Week 8–9

• Pups can go to their new owners.
• The first socialization period continues; introduce new people, animals and environments slowly.
• Start with protection against fleas and ticks.
• Repeat deworming.
• Veterinarian visit for vaccination against Weil's disease and possibly kennel cough.

Week 10–12

• Start basic training: walking on a leash, bench training and staying home alone.
• The first teeth change to adult teeth around 12 weeks. Offer suitable toys and chews.
• Have the last vaccinations given; then repeat annually.
• Repeat deworming and deflating.

Youth and second socialization phase (12 weeks–6 months)

• The growth rate decreases and varies by breed size: a
  • Small dogs: up to 8–10 months
  • Medium dogs: up to 12 months
  • Large dogs: up to 18 months
  • Very large dogs: up to 24 months
• Large and very large dogs need an adapted diet to support healthy bone and muscle growth.

Second socialization phase (fear phase)

• Lasts from 12 weeks to 6 months.
• Pups can suddenly react anxiously; socializing cautiously is important to avoid trauma.

Young adulthood (puberty)

• Your puppy comes from childhood and can exhibit stubborn behavior: disobedience, high energy or even aggression.
• Continue to train and reward consistently.
• This phase can last from a few months to a maximum of one year.