“When is a puppy fully grown?”

That question is probably not foremost in your mind when you bring a new puppy into your world. That adorable little face, those big soulful eyes, and that wonderful wiggle when he walks are more likely to come to mind when thinking about your new pup. But gradually, as your puppy grows and becomes 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 destroyed your third pair of shoes you will probably begin to wonder…

“When will this puppy be fully grown?”

Although there are some similarities between early development stages of puppies and human babies, the process 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 of your puppy’s life, his senses of sight, smell, and hearing develop quickly. Suddenly, you will see that he has discovered that there is much more to the world than just his canine family. His relationship with his new human family will begin to take shape. This is a critical period in the development of your puppy’s personality and behavior. As much as possible, try to avoid stressful or traumatic experiences as they may have a major impact on how your dog will behave as he approaches adulthood.

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

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.

After about three months your puppy enters his “toddler” stage of development. He gains more independence and explores 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 when he begins teething. This is a good time to begin very basic obedience training and establish yourself as pack leader.

Your puppy reaches adolescence at around six to eight months, on his way to 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.