5 Surprising Facts About New-born Puppy Development

Puppies of all ages, breeds, shapes and sizes are highly appealing to us as dog lovers, and few of us would miss the opportunity to meet and befriend a cheerful, cute pup that we spot out and about. However, unless you’ve bred from your own dog or known someone whose dog had a litter that you got to meet when they were very young, the chances are that you haven’t spent a lot of time with new-born or very young puppies.

Even if you are looking to buy or adopt puppies and are arranging visits to see litters with various reputable breeders, you most likely won’t see puppies until they are several weeks old, nearing the age they can safely leave their mother.

While most dog owners know puppies grow quickly, fewer realise exactly how fast puppies develop their senses and motor skills in the first few weeks. This article shares five fascinating facts about the earliest stage of a puppy’s life in the UK, supporting responsible ownership and breeding practices.

1. New-born puppies are deaf, blind, and toothless

At birth, puppies arrive completely vulnerable: they have no sight or hearing and lack teeth. Their eyes are sealed shut and ear canals closed, and they rely entirely on their mother to keep warm and fed. In this neonatal phase (birth to 2 weeks), puppies spend around 90% of their time sleeping and suckling, focusing energy on rapid growth and weight gain, often doubling birth weight in the first week.

2. Smell and touch guide puppies before their eyes and ears open

Although blind and deaf, puppies have functioning senses of smell and touch from birth. This helps them navigate to their mother’s nipples, which scent markings assist them in finding. Around the second week, puppies’ eyes open, improving their vision gradually, while their ear canals open shortly before enabling hearing. By about 2.5 to 3 weeks, puppies start responding to sounds and sights in their surroundings.

3. Mobility and motor skills emerge swiftly between two and three weeks

Their first motor milestones include crawling using front legs in the first two weeks, progressing to sitting up, standing, and taking wobbly steps by week three. This early mobility helps build muscle tone and coordination. Around this time, puppies also begin to wag their tails and vocalise with soft barks and whines, showing increased awareness and interaction.

4. Teething and the shift to solid food begin around three weeks

Puppies develop their first milk teeth at approximately three weeks old, preparing them to transition from their mother’s milk to solid food. This marks the start of the weaning process, with pups gradually introduced to solid diets and slowly reliant less on milk as their adult teeth will eventually replace baby teeth later on.

5. Critical socialisation period starts within weeks three to twelve

This phase is crucial for puppies’ social and emotional development. They start exploring, playing, and showing distinct personalities. Early experiences with people, other dogs, and environments during this time form the foundation for well-adjusted behaviour and emotional health. Responsible breeders and owners prioritise positive exposure during this socialisation window.

Understanding these stages helps potential and current dog owners support their puppies’ development responsibly and compassionately. If considering adding a puppy to your family, ensure you engage with reputable breeders or adopters who prioritise welfare and proper early care.