Lifestage mascot

How old is your dog?

Pre-Puppy
Pre-Puppy preview image

Pre-Puppy

What’s better than puppies? That’s right: your own puppy. So, what do you need to know before you take the plunge into pet parenthood?

0-2 months
0-2 months preview image

0-2 months

Welcome to the world little one. It’s all grow-grow-grow for your puppy right now, so there’s many things to prepare.

2-3 months
2-3 months preview image

2-3 months

Your puppy is ready to come home and turn your world upside down. It’s time to put your preparation into practice – and remember to take it all in!

3-6 months
3-6 months preview image

3-6 months

You’re entering a period of immense growth, lots of learning and new adventures. Bring on the play date with the big wide world!

6-12 months
6-12 months preview image

6-12 months

Your fur-baby is nearing adulthood. Can you see their grown self coming through? Sigh…they grow up so fast, don’t they?

12-18 months
12-18 months preview image

12-18 months

Your puppy has turned one and they might not be so little anymore. Make sure to book their first annual check-up.

18 months - 3 years
18 months - 3 years preview image

18 months - 3 years

Your dog is one an established family member now. Enjoy who they have become and the bond you now share at this special stage.

3 - 8 years
3 - 8 years preview image

3 - 8 years

Your dog is a full-grown adult now. They understand where their place is in your home and the wider world.

8+ years
8+ years preview image

8+ years

Just like many senior citizens, senior dogs have some extra needs. Learn to look after your best friend and support their health as they grow older.

Puppy 0-2 Months - Behavioural Milestones

Dr Kate Mornement - Pet Behaviourist profile picture

Dr Kate Mornement - Pet Behaviourist

PhD in Companion Animal Behaviour, BSc(Hons) in Zoology

Dr Kate Mornement is an Applied Animal Behaviourist, Consultant and Educator to pet parents, industry, government and media. She has a PhD which focused on companion animal behaviour from Monash University and a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Zoology (Animal Behaviour) from La Trobe University.

Puppy 0-2 Months - Behavioural Milestones

Puppies learn and develop at an exponential rate in their first two months of life and this includes a number of important behavioural milestones. Let’s take a look at the behavioural milestones puppies reach during their first eight weeks.

Newborn to Two weeks

At this stage puppies are deaf and blind because their ears and eyes are still closed. Behaviourally, there’s not much going on during the first two weeks of life other than lots of sleeping and feeding.

Two to Four Weeks

From about two weeks of age puppies begin to gradually see and hear the world around them. They take their first wobbly steps and start to explore the environment. This includes learning how to communicate with their mother and littermates.

The socialisation process begins during this stage as puppies learn through experience how to play and interact appropriately with their siblings and mother. They also learn important lessons about interacting and bonding with people during this stage of development.

Pups begin to learn bite inhibition and the point at which play is too rough at this time.

Four to Eight Weeks

Socialisation continues during the second month and puppies should be exposed to different people, things, environments and animals they will encounter in future in a positive way. These positive socialisation experiences help puppies learn what is safe in their world and also helps avoid the development of fear responses to everyday happenings in future.

It's important to understand the puppies go through their first ‘fear period’ at seven to eight weeks old.

This can mean a more exaggerated fear response to new or unfamiliar people, places or things. Taking time to reassure your puppy and relieve scary things with treats and pats will help them transition through this behavioural milestone more easily.

Toilet training can also begin at around seven weeks as puppies are gaining better control over their bladder and bowels. Many breeders start this process before puppies go to their new homes.

Questions to Ask the Breeder

Given these very early milestones, there are questions you should ask when choosing a breeder, to ensure your new puppy’s behavioural development has been nurtured. Here are some examples of questions to ask…

  1. How have the puppies been socialised up until now?
  2. Have the puppies met different people, animals, kids etc?
  3. Are the puppies used to everyday things including the vacuum cleaner, hairdryer, lawn mower etc?
  4. Have the puppies begun toilet training?
  5. What are the their personalities like?
Asking these questions can help you identify any potential problems, and choose a puppy best suited to your individual circumstances.

Pet Paw-Trol

Promotion preview

Free Puppy Training Guide

Your puppy training guidebook.

Get yours now.

Promotion preview

Pet of the Month

Will your pet win a VitaPet Gift Pack?

Enter your Pet Now