Puppy Milestones: A Timeline of Their First Year

Congratulations on welcoming a new puppy! The first year is full of growth, learning, training, and memorable milestones. Understanding each stage will help you confidently guide your puppy’s development and ensure the best start in life.

Birth to 4 weeks: The neonatal stage

Development

• Reliance on mother: Puppies are entirely dependent on their mother for nutrition and warmth. They cannot regulate body temperature or eliminate waste without assistance.
• Sensory growth: Touch and taste are present at birth. Eyes open between 2–4 weeks, and hearing and sense of smell rapidly develop.
• Teething starts: Baby teeth (deciduous teeth) begin to break through around this time.

Socialization

• Littermate bonding: Puppies interact with their mother and siblings, learning early canine social cues.
• No human socialization yet: Handling by humans should be gentle and minimal to avoid stress.

Vet care and preventive needs

• Basic monitoring: Breeder or caretaker checks for healthy weight gain and any congenital issues.
• No vaccines yet: Maternal immunity protects puppies at this stage; vaccines are not administered yet.

What to expect (behavior)

• Puppies mostly sleep and nurse. Personality and playfulness are not yet visible.

4 weeks to 4 months: The socialization window

Development

• Ready for new homes: By 8 weeks, puppies are weaned and prepared to join families.
• Coordination improves: Puppies develop motor skills and start to play, jump, and run.
• Teething: All baby teeth emerge by 8 weeks. Expect exploratory mouthing.

Training focus

• Early training: Start gentle, reward-based training—name recognition, housebreaking, and bite inhibition.
• Crate training: Introduction to crate and routine helps with future training and travel.

Socialization

• Critical period: Expose your puppy to a variety of people, safe places, sounds, and gentle pets. Positive exposure during this window shapes future confidence.
• Fear stages: Some puppies experience short periods of timidity; use patience and rewards to build trust.

Vet care and vaccine schedules

• First vet visit: Usually at 6–8 weeks for a health check and first vaccinations.
• Vaccine schedule:
• 6–8 weeks: First DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza).
• 10–12 weeks: Second DHPP, Bordetella if recommended.
• 12–16 weeks: Third DHPP, Rabies, and possible Lyme/Leptospirosis.
• Deworming: Typically starts at 2–3 weeks and continues as recommended.
• Preventive care: Vet may discuss flea/tick and heartworm prevention.

What to expect (behavior)

• Play and exploration: Puppies are curious, energetic, and eager to learn.
• Chewing & teething: Provide a variety of chew toys to soothe gums and prevent damage to household items.
• House training: Expect accidents—consistency and patience are essential.

4 to 6 months: Teething and training phase

Development

• Adult teeth emerge: Baby teeth start falling out, replaced by adult teeth by 6 months.
• Physical growth: Noticeable increase in size and stamina.

Teething & chewing

• Increased chewing: Teething discomfort peaks; puppies may chew furniture, shoes, etc.
• What helps: Offer puppy-safe chew toys and supervise to prevent unsafe chewing.

Training focus

• Basic commands: Sit, stay, come, leash walking, and polite greetings.
• Impulse control: Start teaching “leave it” and “wait” for safety and manners.

Socialization

• Continue exposure: Maintain positive experiences with people and pets; structured playdates with vaccinated dogs are beneficial.

Vet care & preventive needs

• Continue vaccines: Follow schedule for boosters and any additional vaccines your vet recommends.
• Parasite prevention: Monthly preventives for fleas, ticks, and heartworm should be started if not already.
• Pet insurance: Early enrollment is key—policies exclude pre-existing conditions, so insure your puppy while young and healthy to maximize coverage.

What to expect (behavior)

• Possible fear period: Some puppies regress in confidence—don’t punish; use gentle encouragement.
• Territoriality: May begin to “guard” toys or space; reinforce sharing with positive reinforcement.

6 to 9 months: Adolescence and maturity

Development

• Maturity: Females may enter their first heat cycle; males may show increased interest in other dogs.
• Size: Most breeds reach close to adult size, but large breeds may keep growing.

Training focus

• Reinforce boundaries: Adolescents test rules; consistency is crucial.
• Advanced training: Add duration and distraction to basic commands.

Socialization

• Supervised dog interactions: Playdates with fully vaccinated, friendly dogs help with ongoing social skills.

Vet care & spaying/neutering

• Discuss timing: Spaying/neutering is often recommended between 6–12 months—consult your vet for breed-specific advice.
• Preventive care: Continue with monthly preventives and annual wellness checks.

What to expect (behavior)

• Chewing returns: Second phase of chewing may occur; maintain access to appropriate toys.
• Testing limits: Adolescents may ignore cues or challenge authority—redirect with positive training.

10 to 12 months: Approaching adulthood

Development

• Adult teeth: All adult teeth are in; teething discomfort ends.
• Maturity: Small breeds are socially mature; larger breeds may still be “puppy-like.”

Training focus

• Maintain routine: Continue training and reinforce boundaries.
• Introduce new skills: Try more advanced tricks or sports for mental stimulation.

Socialization

• Ongoing exposure: Continue outings to parks, pet-friendly stores, and events.

Vet care & preventive needs

• Annual exam: Schedule a thorough checkup and discuss any concerns.
• Booster vaccines: Your vet will recommend which vaccines require annual or three-year boosters.

What to expect (behavior)

• Settling down: Puppies start to calm but remain playful.
• Established personality: Adult temperament emerges.

The importance of early pet insurance

Accidents and illnesses are unpredictable, and vet bills can add up quickly. Insuring your puppy before health issues arise ensures the broadest coverage and peace of mind. Most policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, so early enrollment is critical.

Frequently asked questions

When can my puppy meet other dogs?

After the second set of vaccines (usually 10–12 weeks), your puppy can meet healthy, vaccinated dogs in controlled settings. Avoid dog parks until the full vaccine series is completed (around 16 weeks).

When can puppies go outside safely?

Puppies can explore your private yard after the first vaccination but avoid public areas and unknown dogs until the full vaccine series is completed. Always supervise outdoor time and consult your vet.

How much exercise do puppies need?

Puppies benefit from short, frequent play sessions. A guideline: five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice daily. Avoid strenuous or repetitive exercise, especially for large breeds, to protect developing joints.

When should I spay/neuter my puppy?

Most veterinarians recommend spaying/neutering between 6–12 months, but timing varies by breed and individual health. Large breeds often benefit from waiting longer. Discuss options with your vet.

Additional tips for puppy parents

• Teething Troubles: Freeze wet washcloths or use puppy teething rings to soothe sore gums. Redirect inappropriate chewing to toys.
• Routine Vet Visits: Early and regular vet visits help monitor growth, provide timely vaccines, and build positive associations with the clinic.
• Preventive Care: In addition to vaccines and parasite prevention, discuss microchipping and dental care with your veterinarian.
• Insurance Enrollment: The earlier you enroll, the less risk of exclusions for health issues. Consider coverage for hereditary and chronic conditions, which often present in a puppy’s first year.
• Training and Socialization Classes: Puppy classes are a great way to learn basic manners and socialize in a safe, supervised environment.
• Nutrition: Feed a high-quality puppy food formulated for your puppy’s breed size and age. Follow your vet’s recommendations on portioning and feeding frequency.

By understanding these milestones and staying proactive with vet care, preventive measures, and training, you’ll set your puppy up for a healthy, happy life!

For more tips, check out Trupanion's puppy video series on YouTube and consult your veterinarian for personalized guidance.