Progression of a Puppy-Week 4

🐾 4-Week-Old Puppy Development 🐾

At four weeks old, puppies become much more interactive and curious about the world around them. This is an exciting stage as their personalities begin to shine, and they start learning important social skills from their littermates and their mom.

✨ Week 4: Exploring & Learning

• Physical Development: Puppies are walking confidently, beginning to run and play, and their coordination improves every day. Their baby teeth continue coming in, making them interested in chewing and exploring different textures.

• Behavior: Playtime becomes more energetic! Puppies wrestle, chase one another, wag their tails, bark, and begin practicing important communication skills. This play helps teach bite inhibition and appropriate social behavior.

• Nutrition: They are still nursing but are beginning the gradual transition to softened puppy food (weaning). They become more interested in eating on their own while continuing to receive important nutrition from their mother.

• Learning: Puppies become much more aware of people and enjoy gentle interaction. This is an excellent time for positive handling and introducing new sights, sounds, and safe experiences to help build confident, well-rounded companions.

At Lakewood Ranch Doodles, our puppies continue to receive daily loving interaction, Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) benefits carried forward through our enrichment program, and gentle socialization. We carefully expose them to age-appropriate experiences that help develop confident, resilient puppies ready for family life.

❤️ Every week brings exciting milestones, and these little ones are becoming more playful, affectionate, and full of personality!