Puppies are very similar to human children when it comes to their growth and learning stages.  As an owner, knowing these stages can help you train and teach your puppy, while understanding more about why your puppy acts the way he does.  If your dog is no longer a puppy, then having a grasp on the different stages can help you pinpoint where training may have gone awry.  The following information is not set-in-stone, scientific data.  Rather, it is intended to be used as a guideline for understanding puppy behavior.

Unless you are a breeder or your adult dog is having pups, then you probably will not be present for the first stage of your puppy’s life.  From birth until about two weeks old, puppies go through a stage that is often referred to as the neonatal phase.  You are probably familiar with the term, since it also applies to human newborn babies.  During this period, the puppy is entirely dependent upon its mother.  The mother makes sure that the puppy eats, urinates, and defecates.  Newborn puppies have already developed their touch and taste senses at this point, so any information gathering is based upon these senses.

The second phase of the puppies’ development, the transitional stage, occurs between two and four weeks old.  You may have contact with your puppy during this stage; however, most pet stores and breeders start selling puppies closer to eight weeks of age.  Between two and four weeks, the puppy’s eyes open, and his hearing and smelling senses begin to develop.  His teeth will start to come through his gums.  The puppy’s tail will begin to wag, and he’ll learn to stand, start to walk, and find his voice!  Although the puppy is no longer entirely dependent on his mother (he is now able to “do his business” on his own), the mother still has a lot of influence.  During this stage, the puppy’s littermates also start to gain influence.

Stage three of a puppy’s life can actually begin during stage two.  The time between three and twelve weeks old is referred to as the socialization phase.  This is arguably the most influential stage of a puppy’s life.  During this time, socialization is key for the pup.  Not only is the puppy influenced by his littermates, but he is also learning the ropes from humans and other animals.  He will become more and more aware of his surroundings, building relationships with others and developing social skills he will carry on throughout his life.  The puppy will be curious and playful, testing the waters.  Nine weeks of age is often identified as a good starting point for training, especially since the puppy will begin to grasp the idea of hierarchical ranking.  During this time, the puppy needs to have positive experiences, since his behavior will also be greatly influenced during this time.  For instance, human and other animal interactions should not be frightening or detrimental.  His first visit to the veterinarian should be calm, while his initial introduction to the family cat should be non-violent.

The fourth stage of a puppy’s life occurs between three and six months of age.  During this phase, known as ranking, the puppy will begin to view his friends and family as dominant or submissive.  Teething is also a major concern during this phase, so make sure to provide a “ranking” puppy with plenty of chew toys! 

The last stage of the puppy’s time being a puppy is referred to as adolescence, which occurs between six and eighteen months of age.  It’s a good idea to have the puppy spayed or neutered before this stage begins, because sexual behavior will develop.  If you haven’t developed dominance over your pooch by this point, then he may challenge your position.  Sounds similar to a teenager, huh?  A puppy older than eighteen months is considered an adult dog.

The information in the article is intended as a guideline, not as solid facts.  Knowing the stages puppies go through can help you understand how, why, and when certain behaviors develop.  There are five main stages between birth and adulthood, but the stages can overlap.  You can use this information when training and socializing your puppy, or to gain insight as to why your adult dog behaves the way he does.

 Article provided by pet-super-store.com a website featuring dog kennels, dog crate pads and raised dog feeders.