Puppy Development

In these tender early weeks, German Shepherd puppies are wholly reliant on their mother. Blind, deaf, and unable to regulate body temperature and functions they are delicately cared for by their nurturing mother.  The touch, warmth, and nourishment provided during this period form the foundation of their well-being.

During this time we fully support the mother and practice Early Neurological Stimulation to help them develop into healthy mature dogs.  A lot starts to happen between two and four weeks. Their eyes open, they can see, and their other senses develop.  ​

As eyes and ears open generally during week three, the puppies are introduced to a world of sights and sounds. Social interactions with littermates and their mother become more significant, teaching valuable lessons in communication and canine etiquette. By four weeks, a puppy can walk and may even start to bark and wag his tail. Prior to four week, puppies need stimulation from their mother to eliminate; around the four-week mark, they can do this by themselves. And, as anyone who’s raised a puppy knows, this is also the time those razor-sharp puppy teeth emerge.  The puppies are learning so much during this period from simply how to be a dog to how to exist in our human world.  They are weaned from their mother and learn to eat solid foods.  We provide them with age-appropriate games and exercises, create an enriching environment for them to enjoy puzzles and problem solving, active vs passive challenges and the beginnings of potty training to get them ready to be pets in their eventual new homes.

This is the pup's action-packed phase!  This stage is all about exploring, but they can get a bit skittish around new stuff. So, we step in and introduce them gently to everyday things, helping them become confident explorers.  

This is also the time when a pup heads off to their forever home. They've grown enough to handle new places like pros, and their confidence is still pretty high.  As the weeks roll on, their curiosity goes through the roof, and they're laying the foundation for their social skills. Hanging out with humans, checking out different scenes, and having positive experiences all help shape the pup they're becoming. Teaching them a few basic tricks, continuing potty training, and exposing them to new situations is like giving them the ultimate toolkit for being a well-rounded companion.  We are here for you for all of those sweet moments and challenges to come.  ​Like a young child, a puppy at this age is like a sponge, soaking up information and experiences. But it is important to avoid frightening or painful experiences as much as possible. And, when such things do happen, “cheer” your pup through it, heap on the praise, and generally respond positively to show your puppy that you're not afraid so he doesn't need to be either. This is when puppies, especially German Shepherds, form strong attachments to their people.