When Will My Puppy Become An Adult?

“When is a puppy fully grown?”

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

Newborn puppies go through many changes during their first three weeks . They open their eyes, take their first steps, and begin to act like a tiny dog. During this early stage they are not really aware of the world beyond “mom” and siblings.

Sometime around the third or fourth week, your puppy’s senses of sight, smell, and hearing develop rapidly. Soon, he will discover that there is more to his world than just his canine family. His relationship with his human family will begin to take shape. This is a very important stage in the development of your puppy’s personality and future behavior. Take care to avoid stressful or traumatic experiences as they may have an adverse impact on how your dog will behave as an adult.

From the fifth through the seventh weeks, your puppy will begin learning proper pack “etiquette”. If he begins to bite inappropriately or play too rough, his mother will correct him. These early lessons provide some of the important social skills he will need as he approaches adulthood.

During 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 less likely to encounter behavioral problems as he approaches adulthood.

Your puppy enters the “toddler” stage of development at around three months. He wants to act more independently more independence and explores the 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 will reach adolescence at around six to eight months, well on his way toward adulthood. Although the transition from adolescent to adult varies, depending upon the breed (or mix of breeds), you can be pretty sure that he has reached adulthood by the time his second birthday rolls around.

That’s when a puppy is fully grown.

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Filed under: Dogs

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