Puppy Development Stages

Week 1

Puppies are born completely blind and reliant on their mothers. The mother's colustrum-rich milk helps build the puppy's immune systems in its first week of life.

Weeks 2-3

The puppy's eyes wil open so it can take a first glimpse of the world around them. The puppy's sense of touch, taste and smell will also begin to develop.

Weeks 3-5

The puppy's milk teeth will come through which signals that the puppy is ready to begin solid food.

Week 6

Puppies can now start to be weaned. The puppy can also get up and will start to move around its environment.

Weeks 7-10

Puppies can now actually be homed, although it is better to keep the puppy with its mother until the latter part of this period for safety.

Week 8

The puppy's vaccinations should begin

Weeks 10-12

Your puppy is now in its optimum learning and discovering period. It should now be socialised with the objects that make up its environment and home. If the vaccination period is over, puppy training classes should now begin.

Months 4-6

The puppy's adult teeth will come through.

Months 6-9

Your puppy will now be bulding up into a good size. Bitches are likely to have their first season during this period.

One Year

By the end of its first year a puppy will have grown substantially - indeed far more than it will grow in the future. Your puppy will now be nearly a fully grown adult dog.

Dog insurance is vital for you and your dog. Protect yourself from high vet bills and get the best healthcare for your dog. To get a quote click here.


Pet Health Insurance aims to give you as much information as possible about pet insurance and why you should have it for your pet. We have gathered together links to many of the top online pet insurers but we do not provide or endorse any particular product or make recommendations in any way. Please ensure that the pet insurance product that you purchase from any online provider meets your needs and that the provider is correctly regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).