Puppy Development Timeline

Week One (Days 1-7)

+ 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 bitch

+ Rectal temperatures 94-97 degrees Farenheit

+ Pups may lose 10% of weight after birth, but should start gaining again

+ Weight should double by end of week

Week Two (Days 8-14)

+ Eyes should open around days 8-10

+ Ears should open around days 13-17

+ Temperatures should be around 97-99F

Week Three (Days 15-21)

+ 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

Week Four (Days 22-28)

+ Begin to eat food

+ Begin to bark, wag tails, bite, paw, bare teeth, growl and chase

+ Use legs well

+ Tire easily

+ Depth perception starts

Week Five (Days 29-35)

+ Group activities and sexual play will begin

+ Dominance order starts

+ Rapid growth/development

Week Six (Days 26-42)

+ Growth and development continue

Week Seven (Days 43-49)

+ Total hearing/visual capacity

+ Will investigate anything

+ Can't respond yet to name

Week Eight (Days 50-56)

+ First fear period

+ Starts learning name

Week Nine (Days 57-63)

+ Develops strong dominant and subordinate behavior among littermates

+ Begins to learn right behavior

+ Motor skills improve

+ Short attention span

+ Starts focusing attention on owner rather than other puppies

+ Separate littermates

+ Start house training

Edited from "Breeding, Whelping and Rearing Puppies" by Liza Lee Miller