Weekly Milestones for a Puppy (Birth to 8 Weeks)

 

Here's a breakdown of what you can expect in the early weeks of your puppy's life, with typical milestones and growth patterns for small, toy-sized puppies:

 

Week 1 

Puppies are completely dependent on their mother for warmth, nutrition, and care. Their eyes and ears remain closed, and they spend most of their time sleeping and nursing.

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Week 2 

Around the end of the second week, puppies start opening their eyes. Their senses are still limited, and they continue to rely on their mother for everything. Puppies start to gain strength and coordination.

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Week 3 

Puppies begin to open their ears, and their sense of hearing develops. They start to react to sounds, explore their surroundings more, and attempt to walk, though they’re still wobbly. Tiny teeth may start to appear.

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Week 4 

At this stage, puppies begin to interact more with each other and explore their environment. They’re developing coordination and engaging in gentle play behaviors. During this time, they may also start a gradual transition from their mother’s milk to soft, mushy food, though nursing continues.

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Week 5 

Puppies become more energetic and playful, exploring their environment with more confidence. They start eating solid food, and their teeth continue to grow. Basic coordination improves, and they play more vigorously with littermates.

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Week 6 

Puppies become increasingly independent, needing less nursing from their mother. They’re fully mobile, displaying more personality, and responding to sights and sounds. Social play with littermates helps them learn important behaviors.

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Week 7

Puppies are now eating mostly solid food and showing distinct personalities. They become curious and may start to interact with people more, learning basic manners and developing bonds. Socialization with humans and littermates is essential at this stage.

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Week 8 

Puppies are ready to go to their new homes! They receive their first wellness exam and vaccinations and are eating solid food exclusively. Socialization continues to be critical, and they’re prepared to start bonding with their new families, learning routines, and building trust.

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Weeks 8+ 

Settling into the New Home

Puppies are adjusting to their new homes and developing strong bonds with their families. This period is essential for socialization, gentle training, and establishing routines like potty training. Short training sessions with positive reinforcement help puppies learn simple commands, build trust, and gain confidence.

 

At this stage, they become more comfortable exploring their surroundings, responding to new experiences, and engaging in playful interactions. Around 12 weeks, they’re ready for their second round of vaccinations if not completed earlier, and many owners may consider enrolling in puppy classes to further support socialization and training.

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Visits Prior to Pick-Up Day

 

We’re happy to offer a brief visit once puppies reach 6 weeks old so you can meet your puppy and see how they’re growing. The well-being of our puppies is our top priority, so these visits are kept short to minimize stress and ensure a calm environment for the puppies and their mother. Please note that for health and safety reasons, we’re unable to allow visits before 6 weeks.

 

At this young age, puppies are very fragile and require a peaceful, secure environment to thrive. Early handling by unfamiliar people can be stressful for the mother and her puppies, impacting their well-being. Additionally, we maintain a strict, clean environment to protect against diseases like Parvovirus, which can unknowingly be brought into the home. By limiting visits, we’re able to keep our puppies safe, healthy, and comfortable until they’re ready to join your home.

 

To help with your selection, we’re providing close-up videos of each puppy on our social media and will continue sharing weekly updates. This way, you can watch them grow and get a clear view of their coloring and markings without needing an in-person visit at this fragile stage. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, nurturing space for them!

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How Will I Receive Updates on My Puppy?

We understand how exciting it is to follow your puppy’s growth and milestones! We update our website every Monday with new photos of the puppies so you can see their weekly progress. As they start moving around more, we’ll also share additional videos on our social media, giving you a closer look at their development and personality as they grow.