One to Four Weeks
For the first three weeks or so, a puppy’s senses haven’t started working. They don’t see or hear and spend most of their time asleep.
A lot starts to happen between two and four weeks. Puppies begin to interact with their littermates and their mother. Their eyes open, they can see, and their other senses develop. By four weeks, a puppy can walk and may even start to bark and wag his tail. This is also the time those razor-sharp puppy teeth emerge.
Prior to four week, puppies need stimulation from their mother to eliminate; but around the four-week mark, they can do this by themselves. A ‘potty area’ is now introduced into the den.
Four to Eight Weeks
This is a busy time for a young pup. The mother begins weaning her pups and teaching them how to behave. Puppies are introduced to solid foods and Oh! What a mess!
A puppy at this stage begins to explore and play with his siblings. Puppies develop a high fear threshold and need to be gently and gradually exposed to everyday stimuli in their environment. Even as they transition into their forever home, patience is needed to help them adjust to new experiences.
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