Newborn to Adult The development of puppies can be divided into four distinct stages:
- Newborn period,
- Transition period,
- Socialization period and
- Puberty period.
These developmental periods are followed by adulthood.
- Newborn Period (Birth to 2 weeks of age)
During this time, puppies are completely dependent on their mother. At this stage, the majority of a puppy's time is spent either sleeping or eating. Puppies' eyes and ears close when they are born, but they are sensitive to touch and smell. The eyes open at about 10 days of age, but the pups do not respond to light and active stimuli until the transitional period (two to three weeks old). During this period, puppies can be fed only by sucking milk from the mother. It is essential that puppies use a dense, antibody-rich liquid called colostrum in their mother's milk within the first 24 hours after birth. In this way, it will gain resistance against pathogenic organisms in the environment. Newborn puppies have limited movement and can only move slowly. They cannot yet fully bear the weight of their body.
In this first step of life, mother's milk is an indispensable element for the baby, from which he receives the nutrients, antibodies and fluids that will provide the immunity the most. She tends to constantly monitor her mother so that she can feel safe with her mother and maintain her body temperature, as well as get these nutrients. they are not yet able to support and support the weight of the world. During this period, a puppy will actively seek its mother. It is recommended that a puppy that needs his mother so much should be fed without leaving his mother during this sensitive period.