Guide to Raising Puppies Weeks 1-8: Key Tips
Welcoming a litter of puppies into your home is both heartwarming and challenging. The first eight weeks of a puppy’s life are the most critical for their physical growth and emotional development.
During this period, they rely heavily on proper nutrition, warmth, and gentle socialization. Understanding each week’s milestones helps ensure the puppies grow into healthy, confident, and well-adjusted dogs.
From feeding and weaning to early training and vet care, this essential guide offers key insights and practical tips to help you nurture your puppies through every stage — from their first breath to their playful, independent phase.
Does It Matter How Many Puppies There Are?
Yes, the number of puppies in a litter matters more than many realize. The litter size affects the mother’s health, the puppies’ growth, and the level of care required. Large litters often mean smaller puppies that must compete for milk, making it vital to monitor weight gain and ensure each one nurses properly.
Smaller litters, on the other hand, may result in stronger, heavier puppies but can sometimes cause milk overproduction or mastitis in the mother.
The mother’s breed, age, and overall health also influence how well she can handle multiple puppies. Whether there are two or ten, close observation, balanced nutrition, and timely veterinary support are essential to keeping both the mother and her litter healthy and thriving.
The First Week — Total Dependence
Newborn puppies are blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their mother. Their only senses are touch and smell, which they use to find warmth and milk. During this stage, your main role is to observe without interference. Make sure the puppies are nursing regularly and that the mother is attentive and calm.
Weigh the puppies daily — consistent weight gain indicates healthy development. Keep the bedding clean and dry, replacing it as needed. If any puppy seems weak or is pushed away from the mother, you may need to help guide it to a teat or supplement with puppy formula under veterinary guidance.
The Second Week — Growth and Awareness
By the second week, the puppies’ eyes and ears start to open, allowing them to slowly respond to movement and sound. This is a sign their nervous system is developing properly. Continue weighing them daily and watch for steady growth. Trim the puppies’ nails if they become sharp, as they can scratch the mother’s belly while feeding.
The mother may spend more time resting outside the whelping box, but she’ll still return frequently to feed. Keep the environment calm and avoid sudden loud noises. Gentle handling can begin briefly each day to accustom them to human touch, building trust and comfort.
Week Three — Early Exploration
At three weeks old, puppies begin to stand, wobble, and take their first steps. They’ll also start to interact with littermates through small growls, tail wags, and playful movements. Their teeth begin to emerge, and their personalities start to show.
This is an excellent time to introduce light socialization — allow them to hear different household sounds like talking, vacuuming, or music at a low volume. Gradual exposure helps prevent fearfulness later in life. You can also start placing a shallow dish of water near the whelping box so they can begin learning to drink on their own.
Week Four — Beginning the Weaning Process
Around the fourth week, puppies are ready to transition from solely nursing to eating soft puppy food. Mix high-quality puppy kibble with warm water or milk replacer to form a gruel-like texture. Offer small portions several times a day.
Expect a little mess — it’s part of learning! As they begin to eat more solids, the mother will naturally nurse less often. You can start to introduce potty training by placing pee pads or using a designated area lined with newspaper. Puppies are now more alert and active, so ensure their play area is safe, clean, and spacious.
Week Five — Play, Learning, and Confidence
By five weeks, puppies are full of energy and curiosity. They play with each other constantly, which teaches them bite inhibition, coordination, and basic social behavior. This is the perfect time to encourage gentle human interaction — pick them up, talk softly, and let them explore under supervision.
Their hearing and vision are well-developed, and they begin to recognize familiar voices. Introduce basic commands like “come” or their names in a playful tone. Short, positive experiences during this phase lay the groundwork for obedience training and trust with humans.
Week Six — Vet Visits and Stronger Socialization
At six weeks, puppies should have their first vet check-up. The vet will examine their overall health, discuss deworming, and prepare a vaccination plan. This is also when puppies start developing independence and confidence. Continue exposing them to different environments — new rooms, safe outdoor spaces, and various people.
Keep play sessions positive and avoid overwhelming them. They still need plenty of rest, nutrition, and reassurance from both you and their mother. By this stage, their diet should be mostly solid food with limited nursing.
Week Seven — Reinforcing Good Behavior
In the seventh week, puppies are highly impressionable. They learn quickly from their environment, their littermates, and you. Encourage gentle play and discourage rough behavior by redirecting biting to chew toys. You can start crate training by placing an open crate in their play area with soft bedding.
They’ll explore it naturally and begin to see it as a safe resting spot. Continue reinforcing social experiences — meeting calm adults, children, and other vaccinated pets helps them become adaptable and confident future companions.
Week Eight — Ready for Their Forever Homes
By the eighth week, puppies are usually ready to leave their mother and littermates. Before they go, ensure each has been dewormed, vaccinated, and microchipped according to local regulations.
Provide new owners with a puppy starter guide that includes feeding instructions, vaccination records, and advice on training and socialization. Transitioning can be emotional for both the breeder and the puppies, so keep their routine stable, and send familiar bedding or a toy with their scent to make the move easier.
Ongoing Care and Support
Raising puppies doesn’t end when they leave your home. Stay in contact with the new owners and offer guidance during the first few weeks of adjustment. Encourage regular vet visits, balanced diets, and continued training. Early care builds the foundation for a lifetime of good health and happiness. A puppy that experiences love, structure, and socialization from the very beginning is far more likely to grow into a well-behaved, affectionate, and confident dog.
When Can Puppies Start Eating Solid Food?
Puppies can begin eating solid food at around three to four weeks of age. At this stage, their teeth start emerging, and they naturally show less interest in nursing. Begin by offering a soft mixture of high-quality puppy food blended with warm water or milk replacer to create an easy-to-lick gruel.
Feed small portions several times a day and gradually reduce the liquid as they adapt. By six to seven weeks, most puppies can fully transition to solid food. Early weaning should always be gentle and monitored to ensure every puppy eats well and maintains steady, healthy weight gain.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping Vet Visits: Missing check-ups can delay early detection of health issues or vaccination schedules.
- Overfeeding or Underfeeding: Both can cause digestive issues, obesity, or poor growth. Follow a proper feeding schedule.
- Neglecting Socialization: Puppies need exposure to people, sounds, and gentle handling to build confidence.
- Poor Hygiene: Dirty bedding or feeding areas increase infection risk for both mother and puppies.
- Rehoming Too Early: Separating puppies before eight weeks can cause anxiety and behavioral issues.
- Ignoring Weak Puppies: Failing to monitor smaller pups can lead to malnourishment.
- Improper Temperature Control: Cold environments can quickly lead to illness or hypothermia.
Conclusion
Raising puppies from birth to eight weeks is a joyful yet delicate journey that shapes their entire future. Each stage — from nursing and weaning to play and early training — builds the foundation for a healthy, confident, and well-adjusted dog. With the right balance of nutrition, warmth, and gentle socialization, you can help your puppies grow strong and emotionally secure.
