Your puppy's first year

The following guidelines will help you better understand your puppy’s behavioral stages.

0-7 weeks Early Learning with Other Dogs
Interaction with mother and siblings teach puppies bite inhibition, appropriate submissive and attention seeking behaviors and general confidence with other dogs. Puppies should still be with littermates and mother.

7-8 weeks Going Home!
Considered by many to be the ideal time to go to new homes puppies at this age are mature enough to adjust to change and begin learning manners and housetraining.

8-10 weeks The Imprinting Age
Often referred to as a “fear period” puppies are very impressionable at this age. It is essential that the puppy have as many positive experiences with people, other animals and novel situations as can be arranged. It is also important to avoid negative experiences.

8- 20 weeks Puppy Goes to Kindergarten!
Enroll in PuppySteps to start off right! Training sessions should be fun and successful with lots of rewards. At this age, is it most important to get your puppy out and about. Take him everywhere with you! Puppy needs positive exposure to people, dogs, noises and situations.

4-6 months Junior High
In this preadolescent phase your puppy will develop a gradual increase of independence and confidence. Although the early socialization period is ending, continue taking Puppy out and about. Be sure to continue with Steps training class to prepare for your puppy’s teen years!

6-12 months The Teen Years
Even with the best preparation in puppy class, this stage can be difficult. Your puppy’s need for activity is high and his tolerance for boredom is low.  If your dog is not neutered, sexual maturity is reached at this stage which can further complicate things.  Avoid situations where a lapse in obedience may be harmful (such as running offlead).  Continue training during this potentially frustrating time and you will be rewarded in the next year as your puppy matures into a well behaved adult dog.