Introduction
Puppies are some of the most adorable creatures on the planet. Their cute faces, fuzzy fur, clumsy walk, and playful nature make them irresistible to humans. While we may think we know everything about these baby dogs, they have some fascinating traits and behaviors. For example, did you know that puppies are born deaf and blind? Or that they sleep up to 15-20 hours per day? In this article, we’ll explore some of the most interesting facts and stages of development for these bundles of joy.
What is a Puppy?
A puppy is defined as the baby of a dog. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word “puppy” refers to a young dog specifically under 12 months of age. Once a puppy is older than one year, it is considered an adult dog. Puppies go through several stages of development before reaching adulthood.
The term “puppy” can also be used more generally to refer to the playful, energetic qualities of a juvenile dog regardless of age. This is where the phrase “puppy dog eyes” comes from – the pleading, innocent look puppies often give. So “puppy” can either specifically mean a baby dog under one year old, or more loosely describe the youthful spirit of a dog.
When Does a Puppy Become a Dog?
A puppy typically becomes an adult dog around 1 year old. However, the transition from puppy to adult dog is a gradual process that starts at around 6-9 months old. This period between puppy and adult dog is often referred to as adolescence or the teenage phase.
During this transition period, puppies lose their puppy teeth and develop their adult teeth between 4-6 months old. Their growth plates also start to close between the ages of 6-14 months old, signaling that the puppy is nearing adulthood. Most puppies have reached their full adult size by 1 year old.
Behaviorally, puppies transition out of the high energy, playful puppy phase and start to gain focus and settle down. However, they can still exhibit some “teenage” behaviors like testing boundaries, selective hearing, and being easily distracted. With continued training and socialization, adolescent dogs eventually mature into adulthood around age 1.
Puppy Development Stages
According to the ZigZag, there are several key development stages that puppies go through from birth to adulthood:
Newborn (Birth to 2 Weeks)
The newborn or neonatal stage spans from birth until the puppies are about 2 weeks old. During this time puppies are completely dependent on their mother. Their senses are still developing – their eyes and ears will open between 8-14 days. Puppies cannot regulate their own body temperature yet. They spend about 90% of their time eating and sleeping during this stage.
Transitional (2-3 Weeks)
During the transitional stage, puppies remain largely dependent on their mother. Their eyes and ears open fully so they start to take in more sensory information. They will start to crawl around and play with their littermates. This is the time when puppies first start to be weaned from their mother’s milk.
Socialization (3-16 Weeks)
The socialization period is critical for development. Puppies should be gradually exposed to new people, places, sights, sounds, and experiences in a positive way. This helps them develop into well-adjusted adult dogs. Puppies will start to play, bite, bark, and mark territory during this stage. Housetraining and basic obedience can begin towards the end of this period.
Adolescence (4-6 Months)
During adolescence, puppies become more independent and test boundaries like human teenagers. Their permanent teeth come in and they have increased energy levels. Puppies should continue training and socialization but may be stubborn or distractable. Patience and consistency are important during this stage as puppies transition to adulthood.
Taking Care of a Puppy
Proper care of a puppy is essential for its health and wellbeing. Though puppies are very playful, they require a lot of attention, training and care. Here’s an overview of some key aspects of caring for a puppy:
Feeding
Puppies need to eat more frequently than adult dogs. Feed your puppy at least 3 times a day until they are about 6 months old, then you can switch to twice daily feedings. Make sure to feed your puppy high-quality puppy food formulated for their age and breed size. Do not feed puppy food to dogs over 1 year old as it contains more calories and nutrients than adult dogs require. Follow portion recommendations based on your puppy’s projected adult weight [1].
Exercise
Puppies have a lot of energy and need daily exercise to stay healthy. Take your puppy on short, frequent walks to avoid overexertion of their developing joints and muscles. A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day. So a 3 month old puppy would need about 15 minutes of exercise, twice daily. Provide your puppy with chew toys and interact with them frequently to meet their exercise needs. Avoid strenuous activities like jogging until your puppy is fully grown [2].
Training
Start training your puppy as soon as you bring them home. Focus on potty training, crate training, basic obedience commands like sit and stay, and socialization. Use positive reinforcement like treats and praise to shape desired behaviors. Attend puppy kindergarten classes to support training and socialization. Be patient and consistent with training to set your puppy up for success.
Veterinary Care
Puppies need to start getting vaccinated between 6-8 weeks old initially, with boosters every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks old. Deworming treatments are also essential starting at 2 weeks old. Take your puppy to the vet right away if they seem ill and for wellness checkups. Spaying or neutering can be done around 6 months old. Keep up with flea, tick and heartworm prevention medication as recommended by your veterinarian [3].
Puppy Behavior
Puppies exhibit common behaviors as they explore and learn about the world around them. Some key puppy behaviors include:
Chewing
Chewing is a normal puppy behavior as they teethe and explore objects with their mouths. Puppies may chew on furniture, shoes, plants, and more. Provide plenty of chew toys to redirect chewing. Use bitter apple spray on off-limit items. Praise puppies for chewing acceptable items.
According to The Dog Training website, “Typical puppy behavior involves exploring the world with their mouth.”
Nipping
Puppies may nip when playing or exploring. Say “ouch!” and redirect with a toy. Reward calm behavior. Avoid rough play that encourages nipping. Teach puppy to be gentle. Consider puppy socialization classes.
Barking
Puppies may bark when lonely, excited, or wanting attention. Ensure puppy’s needs are met. Redirect excessive barking. Teach “quiet” command using positive reinforcement. Consider anti-barking devices as a last resort.
Separation Anxiety
Puppies form strong social bonds early on. Gradual short solo absences help puppies accept being alone. Provide engaging toys when leaving. Avoid emotional hellos/goodbyes. Seek professional help for severe separation anxiety.
Puppy Training
Training a puppy requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. Starting training early sets your puppy up for success by teaching good behaviors and manners. Focus on the basics like house training, socialization and basic commands during the first few months.
House training a puppy takes time and close supervision. Take your puppy outside frequently, about every 1-2 hours as well as first thing in the morning, after meals, naps and playtime. Give lots of praise and treats when they go potty outside. Limit access inside and use crates and gates to restrict areas. Clean all accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to prevent smells from attracting them back (Chewy).
Socializing a puppy is critical during the first 16 weeks. Expose them to new sights, sounds, smells, people, animals and environments in a positive and safe way. Let them explore at their own pace and make it fun. Puppy classes are a great way to socialize and prevent behavior issues down the road (Daily Paws).
Focus on teaching basic commands like sit, stay, come, down and leave it through short, positive training sessions. Use treats, praise and repetition. Keep it simple and set them up for success by gradually increasing duration and distractions. Be patient and end sessions on a positive note.
Popular Puppy Breeds
Some of the most popular puppy breeds in the United States include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, French Bulldogs, and German Shepherds. Labrador Retrievers have been ranked as the most popular breed in the US for the past 30 years, according to the American Kennel Club. They are loyal, friendly, and intelligent dogs that make great family pets.
Golden Retrievers are another highly popular breed, known for being gentle, loving, and eager to please. Their trainability and affectionate nature make them a top choice for many families. French Bulldogs have risen sharply in popularity in recent years thanks to their fun-loving personality and cute, squishy faces. Though smaller than Labs and Goldens, Frenchies make devoted companions. German Shepherds are admired for their courage, athleticism, and versatility. They excel at various jobs from police work to search and rescue. Their confidence and protective instincts inspire confidence in their owners.
Some other beloved and common puppy breeds include Beagles, Poodles, Bulldogs, Yorkshire Terriers, Boxers, and many different mixed breeds. The best breed for a prospective puppy owner depends on their lifestyle and preferences. But it’s clear that breeds like the classic Labrador Retriever remain popular puppy choices for good reason – they are lovable dogs with outstanding temperaments.
Adopting vs Buying a Puppy
When it comes to getting a new puppy, there are two main options: adopting from a shelter or rescue or buying from a breeder. Both have their pros and cons.
Some of the advantages of adopting a puppy from a shelter or rescue include:
- Saving a life. There are millions of dogs in shelters who need homes.
- Often less expensive than buying from a breeder.
- Shelters screen for health and temperament issues.
- Mixed breed puppies can have added health benefits.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to adopting:
- May have less information on the puppy’s background and genetics.
- Puppies in shelters may have higher rates of behavior issues.
- Less predictability in terms of size, appearance, temperament.
Buying a puppy from a responsible breeder has advantages like:
- More predictable traits like size, appearance, temperament.
- Can meet the puppy’s parents and littermates.
- Breeders screen for health issues common in the breed.
- Can get guidance from the breeder on training and care.
Downsides of buying from a breeder include:
- Much more expensive purchase price.
- Perpetuates puppy mills if purchasing from an irresponsible breeder.
- Less opportunity to rescue a dog in need.
There are good arguments on both sides. For many, adopting a puppy from a shelter or rescue is the most ethical choice. But buying from a responsible breeder is a good option for those who prioritize predictability in size, appearance and temperament. Do your research to make the best decision for your family.
Conclusion
To summarize, puppies go through many different stages as they develop from newborns into adult dogs. From opening their eyes for the first time, to learning to walk and play, each phase brings new milestones and experiences. Proper care and training during these formative weeks and months sets a puppy up for success later in life. With patience and dedication, raising a happy, healthy puppy is an extremely rewarding process.
One final interesting fact about puppies – the smallest dog on record was a puppy! According to Guinness World Records, a Yorkshire Terrier puppy named Milly was just 2.5 inches tall when she was born in 2013 in Puerto Rico. Despite her tiny size, Milly grew into a healthy, lively adult Yorkshire Terrier.