development of new born puppies until 8 weeks old
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Development of New Born Puppies Until 8 Weeks Old
   
0 – 3 Days
  • Birth
  • Body temperature 34.5 ˚C to 37.2˚C.  . 
  • Susceptive to heat/cold
  • Puppies are blind and deaf
  • 90% of time spent sleeping
  • Suckles
  • Crawls forward and seeks warmth.
  • Can right themselves if placed upside down
  • Needs stimulation for urination/defecation.  Needs constant care from bitch
  • Flexor responses dominant
  • Grunt and squeals
   

3 – 7 Days
(1  week old)
  • Yelps in complaint
  • Reflexes begin to develop
  • Rapid development of central nervous system
   
7 –  8 Days
  • Extensor responses develop
   
8 – 10 Days
  • Birth weight doubled
  • Eyes fully developed and begins to open slightly
  • Co-ordinated movement
  • Shivering reflexes develop
   
10 – 13 Days
  • Eyes open but puppies cannot focus yet
   
13 – 14 Days
  • Ears open
   

15 – 18 Days
(2 weeks old)
  • Learns to crawls backwards and attempts to walk
  • Begins to respond to light and movement and becomes aware of environment
  • Teeth begin to erupt
  • Defecate/urinate without stimulation
  • Develop sense of smell
   
18 – 20 Days
  • Learning to stand.  (Ensure that bedding is not slippery)
   

21 – 24 Days
(3  weeks old)
  • SOCIALIZATION BEGINS
  • Beginning of play
  • Communication skills begin with raised forepaws
  • Startled by loud noises
  • Begins to bark and growl in play
  • First interest in solid food and will lap liquids
  • Will investigate anything
   
25 – 27 Days
  • Visual perception develops
   

28 -  29 Days
(4  weeks old)
  • Complex play movements develop
  • Dominance order starts
  • Tire easily
  • Will begin to eat soft food
  • Use legs well
   

29 – 43 Days
(5  -  6 weeks old)
  • Capable of existence independent of dam
  • Total hearing/visual capacity
  • Starts focusing attention on owner rather than other puppies
  • Starts learning name
   

49 - 56 Days
(7 – 8 weeks old)
  • Weaning complete
  • Begins to avoid unfamiliar experiences
  • Short attention span