1 Month

  • Milk teeth are coming in
  • Weaning can begin

    • 1 ½ Months

  • Nipping, play fighting, chewing
  • About 70% of adult brain mass is present

    • 2 Months

  • Typical adoption time
  • Begin housebreaking and integration with household (including children and other pets)
  • Begin talking with your veterinarian about vaccinations and the benefits of spaying/neutering
  • Puppy classes can begin at 6-8 weeks after a first vaccine

    • 3 Months

  • Chasing animals, thrown objects, own tail
  • Recognizes own name
  • About 90% of adult brain mass is present

    • 4 Months

  • Responds to “come”

    • 5 Months

  • Approaching adult height and weight for small breeds (up to 20 lbs.)

    • 6 Months

  • Fetching; toys remain important through adulthood
  • Can respond to “heel,” “down,” “sit,” “fetch,” “stay”
  • Sexual maturity for some small breed dogs

    • 7 Months

  • Milk teeth are lost; permanent teeth are in

    • 8 Months

  • Puppy may be able to hold elimination for about 8 hours

    • 9 Months

  • Puppy training classes complete

    • 12 Months

  • Approaching adult height and weight for large breeds (more than 50 pounds.)

    • 18 Months

  • Sexual maturity reached for some large breed dogs
  • Approaching social maturity, adult behavior (all dogs)

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