Puppy Developmental Timeline

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  • 90% of time spent sleeping
  • 10% eating
  • Susceptible to heat/cold
  • Instinctive reflexes: crawl, seek warmth, nurse
  • They can right themselves if placed upside down
  • Needs stimulation for urination/defecation
  • Rapid development of central nervous system
  • Need constant care from mother
  • Rectal temperatures 94-97 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Pups may lose 10% of weight after birth, but should start gaining again
  • Weight should double by end of week
  • Super Puppy started at three days (through 16 days)

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  • Eyes should open around days 8-10
  • Ears should open around days 13-17
  • Temperatures should be around 97-99F
  • Stay in warm environment, around 80-83F
  • Start weekly nail trims

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  • Teeth begin to erupt
  • Puppies stand up and start walking
  • Begin to lap liquids
  • Defecate/urinate without stimulation
  • Start becoming aware of environment
  • Start playing with littermates
  • Develop sense of smell
  • Puppies will start to discriminate as to where to relieve themselves

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  • Begin to eat food
  • Begin to bark, wag tails, bite, paw, bare teeth, growl and chase
  • Use legs well
  • Tire easily
  • Depth perception starts
  • Starts needing individual attention
  • Start on soft food (consistency of cooked oatmeal)

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  • Group activities and “adult-like” play will begin (kid friendly
  • description)
  • Dominance order starts
  • Rapid growth/development
  • Weaning begins

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  • Growth and development continue
  • Eating kibble as well as soft, damp food
  • Pups receive individual time away from litter
  • Total hearing/visual capacity
  • Will investigate anything
  • Can’t respond yet to name
  • First fear period
  • Starts learning name
  • Can start training in small steps

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  • Develops strong dominant and subordinate behavior among littermates if still with litter
  • Begins to learn right behavior
  • Motor skills improve
  • Short attention span
  • Starts focusing attention on owner rather than other puppies
  • Start house training
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