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Stage 2: I'm a dog I think
3-4 Weeks

A puppy really develops rapidly after his eyes and ears have opened. Fully alert to his environment, he begins to recognize the people around him. Because of the quick sensory development, it is important that puppies are not exposed to loud noises or sudden changes as negative events can have a serious impact on his personality and development. A puppy learns how to be a dog during this time, so it’s essential that he stays with his mother and litter mates.

Stage 3: Hello… let's socialise.
4 - 7 Weeks

Dogs are highly social animals, and a puppy begins this critical social development period four to seven weeks into his life. He learns social interaction with his litter mates; learns how to play and learns bite inhibition. He’ll also learn discipline at this point as his mother will have begun weaning him around this time, and will start teaching him basic manners, including accepting her as the leader of the pack. Food can be introduced gradually around the fourth week as his mother weans him.

During this time a puppy can be handled daily for about ten minutes, in the company of his mother and litter mates. Puppies that are removed from the nest too early become nervous, are more prone to barking and biting and have a more difficult time with socialisation and training. Puppies need to be left with their mother and siblings until at least seven weeks of age, even a little longer, for optimum social development.

Experts say that the best time in a puppy’s life to learn social skills is between three and sixteen weeks of age offering the opportunity for a puppy to grow up to be a well-adjusted dog. It’s extremely important to leave a puppy with its mother and litter mates during as much of this period as possible and discipline for play fighting or housebreaking mistakes should be avoided as this is normal behaviour for a puppy at this stage.

Stage 4: I don’t know what it is… but I’m afraid of it!
8 Weeks - 3 Months

Between 8 – 10 weeks a puppy experiences a “fearful” period becoming terrified of things that they took in their stride before. This is not a good time to engage in harsh discipline, loud voices or traumatic events.

This phase forms part of the rapid learning stage which lasts up until three months. A puppy’s bladder and bowels are starting to come under much better control, and he’s capable of sleeping through the night. He is also ready to be taught simple commands like
come, sit, stay, down, etc. as well as being
introduced to a leash.

It is important not to isolate a puppy from human contact at this time, as he’ll continue to learn behaviours and manners that will affect him in at a later stage.

Stage 5: I can’t help being a little rebellious.
3 - 4 Months

As a puppy becomes a little more independent, he starts ignoring commands he’s only recently learnt – just like a child does when they’re trying to exert their new-found independence. A puppy starts to bite – play biting or even a real attempt to challenge authority. It’s at this stage that playing with a puppy and handling him regularly is encouraged but not games like tug of war or wrestling with him, as a puppy interprets these as real life, and being the leader of a pack is a natural characteristic of a dog.

Stage 6: You call it patience, I call it independence.
4 - 6 Months

A puppy demonstrates even more independence and wilfulness during this stage. They begin their teething cycle and will look for things to chew on to relieve the pain and pressure. They assert a new ‘dominance’ over other family members, especially children. Many times pups at this age will ignore commands to return or come to their owners. Hormonal changes are brought about by their growing sexual maturity, and a puppy can be neutered or spayed at this time.

Stage 7: The Young and the Restless
6 - 18 Months

Like humans this is the best time of a puppy’s life. They’re young, exuberant and full of life, yet learning all the things they need to become a full-fledged adult dog. Although they may look like an adult dog, they’re still very young and inexperienced.