Puppy timeline – first year and a half

Puppies are incredibly cute! Yet with great cuteness, comes great responsibility…

Adding a puppy to your family is exciting, but knowing what to expect at each stage of their development helps you give them the best possible start in life!

Here are some of the key milestones you’re likely to experience throughout your puppy’s first 18 months:

Weeks 1-2: Dependency and sense development

At birth, and for a couple of weeks afterwards, puppies are heavily dependent on their mother for everything – from keeping warm and staying safe, to feeding and toileting. So, your puppy will likely spend most of their time eating and sleeping.

Although their ears are closed, and they don’t tend to open their eyes until 10-14 days after they’re born, your pup is sensitive to touch and smell from day one!

Fun fact: Puppies need colostrum from their mother’s milk to start developing a robust immune system that’ll protect them from illnesses, though colostrum is also a key source of nutrients, like carbohydrates.

Weeks 3-5: Socialisation and tail-wagging

This is when things start to get exciting for your puppy! Your puppy’s eyes are fully open from week three, and their hearing will improve every day. 

Additionally, upon veterinary advice, puppies should be given vet-approved, puppy-safe flea and worming treatment from week three. 

By week four, your puppy should start to play – as well as display their unique personality, while they test their barking, standing, and tail-wagging abilities! They’ll learn about social interactions through communicating with their mother and litter mates, but it’s important for your puppy to bond with humans at this time, too.

Also, like humans, puppies have two sets of teeth. So, your puppy’s first set of teeth, known as the ‘deciduous teeth’ or ‘milk teeth’, begin to form during this phase of their development.

Weeks 6-7: Discovering solid foods and playing with toys

As they reach this age, your puppy’s teething will be well underway, and they’ll enjoy discovering solid food as they become less reliant on their mother. 

Since they’ll be more mobile and able to move around, your puppy’s curiosity is sparked during these weeks – which is the ‘pawfect’ time to introduce them to interactive toys!

It’s worth preparing your home for your puppy’s arrival by week seven; so, don’t forget to check out our top tips for preparing to welcome a new puppy. 

Weeks 8-9: Finding their forever family and first vaccinations 

Week eight is usually your puppy’s last opportunity to spend time with their mother and litter mates, before they embark on the first chapter of their life with you. When you bring them home, expect your puppy to feel unsettled for at least the first few days, while they adjust to life away from their mother and siblings. Read our article about settling in a new dog for helpful hints to lessen the stress of sleepless nights!

Remember: To ask your vet about microchipping your puppy when they reach around eight weeks of age.

At this time, it’s vital your puppy has their first vaccinations, which will protect them from several life-threatening illnesses. Puppies tend to have at least two doses of vaccinations, followed by booster vaccinations each year after that, according to your vet’s advice. Your puppy’s first doses of vaccinations should be given approximately 2-5 weeks apart, though your vet will let you know the exact timeline for this. 

Important: Before they’re fully vaccinated, your puppy shouldn’t be allowed to walk anywhere that’s accessible to other dogs (especially those who may not have been vaccinated). 

When they reach 8-9 weeks old, your puppy is highly responsive to socialisation, too – so, make sure you spend plenty of quality time with your new pooch!

Weeks 10-13: Second vaccinations and potty training

While your puppy awaits their second vaccinations, you should begin basic training at home, to give them the best start to your life together and develop a strong bond. Using plenty of praise and positive reinforcement, help your puppy learn how to build strong “sitting” skills and gently teach them not to mouth or jump up. 

Plus, this is the ideal time to teach your new best fur-iend where to do their business! Sticking to strict feeding times can be extremely helpful while house-training your puppy, and it’s essential to praise your pup when they try their best to toilet outside.

Top tip: Visit our article about the perils of potty training your puppy!

Weeks 14-16: Making friends with other dogs and growing quickly

Once they’ve had all their vaccinations, and reach around 3-4 months old, it’s time to start introducing your puppy to other canine companions. Socialisation must be a positive experience for your puppy from the beginning, meaning they’ll need to be rewarded for interacting nicely with dogs and people.  

Exploring unfamiliar places with you can help your pup build confidence as they encounter new experiences – but they’ll still need at least 18 hours of sleep to support their development. 

Don’t forget! You’ll need to start working on your puppy’s recall, by supporting them to recognise your chosen recall cue or signal, in preparation for letting them off the lead.

Around this time, you’ll likely need to check in with your vet to ensure your puppy’s nutritional needs are met and their food is properly supporting their rapid growth. 

Weeks 17-20: Chewing and losing teeth

As they approach 4-5 months old, your puppy may start to lose their baby teeth. At this time, you’ll have to provide plenty of teething toys if you want to prevent your puppy from chewing furniture, clothes, and possibly even people! 

Top tip: While your puppy’s adult teeth are emerging, it’s a great opportunity to ask a vet or vet nurse how best to brush your pup’s teeth and keep them healthy.

Your puppy should develop a full set of permanent, adult teeth by the time they’re seven months old. If you notice their milk teeth aren’t falling out naturally, please contact your vet – since there’s a chance your puppy might need to have those teeth removed under anaesthetic. 

Weeks 21-34: Causing mischief and forgetting their training

From around 5-8 months of age, your puppy will probably start playing up a bit… 

Whether they’re refusing to respond to training cues you’ve worked hard to instil or they’re generally causing a mess, be prepared for your puppy’s “terrible teens” as they reach adolescence!

Just as with human teenagers, your puppy’s fluctuating hormones may result in undesirable behaviours that test your patience while they’re eager to step towards adult life. However, despite the frustration your puppy’s seemingly naughty behaviour might cause, it’s vital to keep responding positively by continuing to reward good behaviour as a reminder of your expectations.

Top tip: Providing plenty of mental stimulation is a great way to channel your teenage puppy’s energy into something fun – and deter their destructive tendencies! 

Weeks 35-52: Sexual maturity and neutering

The age at which each dog reaches sexual maturity will depend on many factors, including a dog’s breed, size, and health. 

For female dogs, their first season can happen at any time from six months until they reach around a year and a half. Your vet should be able to advise as to when it’s safe to have your young female dog spayed, which is different for every dog. Regardless of when your female dog can be spayed, she’ll still benefit in several ways – for example, preventing certain cancers and pyometra. 

For male dogs, neutering can be booked when they reach sexual maturity, which could range from six months to two years. Most male dogs are ready to be neutered at around 12 months old – offering lots of benefits, including calmer behaviour and removing the risk of testicular cancer. 

Top tip: Check out our article about spaying and neutering dogs for more information, as well as reading our spaying and neutering aftercare guide in preparation for your pup’s surgery! 

Weeks 53-78: Approaching adulthood and emotional maturity

Reaching 12-18 months of age is a huge milestone for your puppy! In fact, depending on their breed, your puppy may already be well on their way to adulthood. 

Since they’re maturing emotionally, as well as physically, by this age, you may find that your once unruly puppy has transformed into a calmer, confident, friendly dog. 

Top tip: During this time, you might want to chat to your vet again, to make sure your dog is getting the right nutrition and exercise according to their unique requirements. 

Although you’ll be keeping up with your dog’s preventative health care (e.g. vaccinations, flea and worming treatments, dental care, etc.) throughout their life, don’t forget to maintain a training routine! Sometimes, if they’re not getting opportunities to use the skills they’ve learned, dogs could forget the basics – so, lifelong learning is important for them. 

Providing they’ve reached both physical and emotional maturity (as confirmed by your vet), your dog should be ready embark on adventures with you, like trying out new canine sports!