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Pre-Puppy
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 - Physical 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 - Physical Milestones
Puppies do a lot of growing in their first two months of life and this includes a number of important physical milestones.

Let’s take a look at the physical milestones puppies reach during the first eight weeks of life.

Newborn to Two Weeks

When puppies are born, they are helpless and totally reliant on their mother to meet their every need. The mother nurses, cleans, carries her puppies and keeps them warm. She also stimulates them to toilet.

At this age the pups’ eyes and ears are closed and they experience the world through touch and smell only.

Toward the end of week two the legs begin to strengthen and many puppies can support weight on their front legs. During this stage, however, puppies tend to sleep most of the time, conserving their energy for feeding and growing.

Two to Four Weeks

From about three weeks of age the ears and eyes start to open and puppies begin to hear and see their world, their littermates and mother. When the eyes first open they are bluish-grey in colour and the puppy cannot see very well. Their sight gradually improves as the days progress.

This is also the time when they begin to vocalise, starting with little grunts and whines which will eventually develop into loud barks.

From about the third week puppies start to learn how to walk, which is one of the most important physical milestones. At first, it’s quite clumsy but they improve with practice. This mobility allows them to further explore the world around them.

The baby teeth break through at this age and puppies begin to gain control over their bladder and bowel, learning to toilet away from where they sleep.

Four to Eight Weeks

From as little as week four, puppies will begin eating solid food while still nursing from their mum and most puppies are fully weaned by around eight weeks of age.

At about seven weeks old puppies have sufficient control of their bladder and bowels to begin toilet training.

At eight weeks vision has fully developed and puppies have a complete set of milk teeth. At this age their motor skills have greatly improved and, although still somewhat clumsy, puppies have better co-ordination.

Between about six to eight weeks puppies should receive their first vaccination.

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