Online Money Making with Jules

“When is a puppy fully grown?”

That is probably not a question that is foremost in your thoughts when you bring a new puppy into your life. That precious little face, those huge soulful eyes, and that cute wiggle in his walk are what come to mind when thinking about your new puppy. But eventually, as your puppy gets older and probably somewhat destructive, you may find yourself wishing that he would grow out of some of those youthful traits and begin acting more like an adult. By the time he’s chewed your third pair of designer shoes you’ll probably begin to wonder…

“When will this puppy be fully grown?”

While there are a few similarities between the early development stages of puppies and human babies, the progression through the stages is considerably quicker for canines.

Your newborn puppy will develop rapidly during his first three weeks . He opens his eyes, takes his first steps, and begins to act like a tiny dog. During this early stage he will not really be aware of the world beyond his “mom” and his brothers and sisters.

Somewhere between the third and fourth week, your puppy’s senses of sight, smell, and hearing rapidly develop. All of a sudden he’ll discover that there is more to his world than just his canine family. His relationship with his new human family begins to take shape. This is a critical time for the development of your puppy’s personality and behavioral traits. Take care to avoid stressful or traumatic experiences as they may significantly influence how your dog will behave as an adult.

Your puppy will begin learning proper pack “etiquette” during the fifth through seventh weeks. If he begins to bite too hard or play too rough, his canine “mom” will correct him. These early lessons allow him to develop some of the social skills he will put to use as he interacts with humans and other dogs.

For the first three months of his life your puppy will experience many new things. Whenever possible, try to make these learning experiences positive. In doing so you are much more likely to avoid behavioral problems as he enters adulthood.

After three months or so your puppy enters a “toddler” stage of development. He gains more independence and tries to explore his world as he sees fit, not at the prompting of his mother or his human family. Shoes, furniture, books, and just about anything within reach will fascinate him. He will also learn what they taste like as he begins teething. This is a good time to begin very basic obedience training and establish your role as pack leader.

Your puppy enters adolescence at around six to eight months, well on his way toward becoming an adult. The change from adolescent to adult varies, depending on the breed (or mix of breeds), you can be pretty sure that he has reached adulthood by the time he reaches his second birthday.

That’s when a puppy is fully grown.