The newborn phase
Newborn puppies are blind, deaf, and entirely dependent on their mother. They spend 90% of their time sleeping and the other 10% nursing. By week 2, eyes start to open.
First steps
Tiny legs start working. Puppies begin to walk, play, and respond to sound. Solid food is introduced around 4 weeks.
The socialization window
This is the most important developmental window of your puppy’s life. Positive exposure to people, sounds, and other animals shapes who they’ll become.
The growth sprint
Puppies hit their biggest growth phase. Large breeds may gain 2–4 lbs per week. Use our Puppy Weight Calculator to track their curve.
Adolescent dog
Growth slows. Sexual maturity arrives. Training matters now more than ever — puppies test boundaries like teenagers.
Adult dog
Most small/medium breeds are fully grown by 12 months. Large/giant breeds may grow until 18–24 months.
