Your puppy's year one milestones

Reaching the end of your first year together is such a special milestone for you and your puppy. Let’s reflect on your puppy’s growth, achievements, and development — and remember, this is only the beginning.

Puppy milestones by weeks and months

The first year of a puppy’s life is filled with so many changes. From tiny newborns to playful companions, each week brings new experiences. Here’s a breakdown of some important puppy developmental milestones to look out for during the first year.

Weeks 0-4: Newborn puppy milestones

• Week 1-2: Eyes and ears begin to open.
• Week 3: First tiny teeth appear; puppies start walking and wagging tails.
• Week 4: Puppies respond to voices and begin social play.

2-3 months: First few weeks at home

• Week 8-10: Your puppy may be weaned and ready to come home. They start basic house training.
• Week 12: Socialisation is critical now. Expose them to new sights, sounds, and people.

3-4 months: Gaining confidence

• 3-month-old puppy milestones: Puppies develop better control over their bladders. They are becoming more curious and active.
• 4-month-old puppy milestones: Start of teething! Keep plenty of things for your puppy to chew on handy. This is also a great time to start simple commands.

5-6 months: Becoming independent

• 5-month-old puppy milestones: Your puppy is now more coordinated and confident. They might test boundaries!
• 6-month-old puppy milestones: Adolescence kicks in. Expect some rebellious behaviour. Reinforce training regularly.

7-12 months: Teenage phase

Between months seven to nine, your puppy will start to resemble their adult size, though they’re still growing and developing mentally. At this stage, they might display bursts of energy, so regular training and exercise are essential to keep them focused and well-behaved. It's also common for puppies to test boundaries during this time, so consistent guidance is key.

By months 10-12, your puppy may seem more mature, but they still need supervision and training to reinforce good behaviour. They’ll likely continue learning new commands, developing their personality, and forming strong bonds with you. Keep in mind that each puppy grows at their own pace, but these general milestones offer a helpful guideline.

How to record your puppy’s milestones

Creating a record of your puppy’s first year helps capture all the special moments. Consider using a puppy milestone book or puppy milestone timeline. You can also use things on your phone like a puppy milestones app. Here are some fun ways to document your puppy’s growth:

1. Milestone cards: Use personalised puppy milestone cards to capture moments like “first walk” or “first time at the beach.”
2. Photo diary: Create a weekly photo album showing their growth.
3. Puppy milestone chart: A visual way to track puppy milestones week by week or month by month.
4. Journaling: Write down funny stories or new tricks they’ve learned.

What’s next for you and your puppy?

Your puppy’s first year is filled with joy, learning, and surprises. Use this puppy milestones list to see what they have achieved and what’s to come. Plan activities to create more memories together, and keep tracking their development using a puppy milestone chart or app.

Celebrate each little milestone, because these moments pass quickly. Enjoy every tail wag, sloppy kiss, and playful bark — and get ready for more adventures in the years to come.

And don't forget puppy insurance for your new pup so you can rest assured that vet fees for any potential illness or issue your puppy develops can be covered.