Poodle Information
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Poodle Pups - Development
OverviewHow quickly Poodle pups develop and grow! Let's take a look at the stages of Poodle pups.
The 5 Stages of Poodle Pups Development
In order to understand your puppy, their capabilities during different ages, when they are ready and able to listen to you and how quickly they (and their needs change), you need to understand each stage of development Poodle pups go through as he or she matures.
Stage 1: The Transitional Stage | 2-3 Weeks
The Transitional Stage generally lasts from age two to three weeks, and it's during this time that newborn Poodle pup'seyes will open (they are born with eyes closed) and the puppy will slowly start to respond to light, movement and sounds around him. Until this time, all that a pup is aware of is the comfort of his or her mother and his or her other littlermates. He'll become a little more mobile during this period, trying to get his feet underneath him and crawling around in the box (or wherever home is). As the eyes open, the Poodle pup will begin to recognize toys that are regularly given to him.
Stage 2: Rapid Development Stage | 3-4 Weeks
The Rapid Development State is when Poodle pups undergo rapid sensory development. Fully alert to his environment, he'll begin to recognize you and other family members. It's best to avoid loud noises or sudden changes during this period - negative events can have a serious impact on a puppy's personality and development at this point. Puppies learn some important things during this time, so it's essential that they stay with mom and littermates. Some of the things that Poodle pups learn is how to play without nipping too hard (his littermates will make sure of that!) and the puppy will begin to understand that "momma" does not poop or pee in the living area.
Stage 3: The Overlap Stage | 4-7 Weeks
From 3-4 weeks, your puppy begins the most critical social development period of his life - He is fully learning social interaction with his littermates, bite inhibition will become to be much clearer. He'll also learn discipline at this point - Mom will begin weaning the pups around this time, and will start teaching them basic manners, including accepting her as the leader of the pack. Soft yet solid food can be slowly introduced to Poodle pups at this time, transition should happen as the dam gradually weans them. This phase of switching from dam's milk to solid food is also a time that an owner must be very aware of the signs of hypoglycemia.
Poodle pups should now be held each day, for short amounts of time, to allow them to become used to human interaction...but do not stray far from the puppy's littermates. About twice a day for about 10 minutes is best at week 4, and work your way up to 15 minutes, 3 times a day by week 7. Puppies that are removed from the nest too early frequently are nervous, more prone to barking and biting and have a more difficult time with socialization and training. Puppies need to be left with Mom and siblings until at least 7 weeks of age - and preferably a little longer - for optimum social development.
The best time in a puppy's life to learn social skills is between 4 and 16 weeks of age - that's the window of opportunity you have to make sure your puppy grows up to be a well-adjusted dog. It's extremely important to leave your puppy with Mom and his littermates during as much of this period as possible. Don't discipline for play fighting, housebreaking mistakes or mouthing - that's all normal behavior for a puppy at this stage.
Stage 4: The Learning, Yet Afraid Stage | 8 Weeks to 3 Months
The Learning Yet Afraid Stage lasts from about 8 weeks to 3 months and this is the age that most owners will bring their new puppy home. It is a time of great change for a little Poodle pups. Everything is new...and those new things are scary until the puppy becomes used to them. Introduction to new home and family is so important. This is covered fully in the AllPoodleInfo Book.
Changes during this time can affect small Poodle pups...and if it is to affect them, it can result in hypoglycemia (a sudden drop in blood sugar levels). It is very important to have Karo syrup on hand at all times so that is a puppy shows signs of this dangerous condition, the syrup and be quickly rubbed into the pup's gums.
It is your responsibility to choose a high quality food to feed your new family member. However, it is dangerous to have a sudden switch in foods...it also, can lead to hypoglycemia. An owner should feed their puppy the same food that the breeder (or previous owner) used and then do a slow and gradual change, over the course of a month. You can read more about this in the Feeding Section.
Rapid learning will happen during weeks 8 to 10. A Poodle puppy will begin to learn where their food and water is (owners should choose a spot and never change it during this time, fresh water should be available at all times! This is not a good time to engage in discipline, allow loud voices or other sudden loud noises such as the radio or TV. Loud noises and disturbances can create a skittish dog.
At 8 weeks, Poodle pups have zero idea that they are supposed to go to the bathroom in a designated area! Housetraining will begin, and it will be a gradual process. Be patient as you teach your puppy where to go...and expect accidents. There is much more to house breaking than taking your dog outside...Full and complete details including the option of litter box training, crate training and much more are in the AllPoodleInfo Book
At this time your puppy's bladder and bowels are starting to come under much better control (Until this time, a puppy does not have strong bladder and bowel muscles). A puppy, towards the 13 week mark will be capable of sleeping through the night. You can begin teaching simple commands like come, sit, stay and down. Leash training can begin. (It is highly recommended to never put an actual leash on a small Toy or Miniature Poodle...A harness is necessary to avoid the very awful medical condition of Collapsed Trachea).
It's important not to isolate your puppy from human contact at this time, as he'll continue to learn behaviors and manners that will affect him in later years. It is best, if at all possible, to bring your new puppy home during a time when someone can be home with the pup...for example summer vacation, etc. If you work and have personal time saved up...use it for this stage in which your Poodle pup will be housebroken.
Stage 5: Final Puppy Stage | 4 Months to 1 Year
A lot will happen in this stage. Poodle pups will have grown in size quite well, almost reaching adult size. They should be fully trained in house breaking, commands and heeling. They will be active members of the family, used to a schedule and should be be well socialized. They should be adjusted to grooming and all related to it A well trained puppy will be able to stay home alone without any issues. You will be well past the stages of possible hypoglycemia and you can relax a bit from worrying about injuries that can cause luxating pattellas or hip dysplasia. In regard to breeding, by 1 year your female can be safely bred, although it is best to wait until age 2. Your male will be ready at 9 months (males do not even have live sperm until age 4 months). Congratulations, when raised correctly, your Poodle pup will be a happy member of your family!
In order to understand your puppy, their capabilities during different ages, when they are ready and able to listen to you and how quickly they (and their needs change), you need to understand each stage of development Poodle pups go through as he or she matures.
Stage 1: The Transitional Stage | 2-3 Weeks
The Transitional Stage generally lasts from age two to three weeks, and it's during this time that newborn Poodle pup'seyes will open (they are born with eyes closed) and the puppy will slowly start to respond to light, movement and sounds around him. Until this time, all that a pup is aware of is the comfort of his or her mother and his or her other littlermates. He'll become a little more mobile during this period, trying to get his feet underneath him and crawling around in the box (or wherever home is). As the eyes open, the Poodle pup will begin to recognize toys that are regularly given to him.
Stage 2: Rapid Development Stage | 3-4 Weeks
The Rapid Development State is when Poodle pups undergo rapid sensory development. Fully alert to his environment, he'll begin to recognize you and other family members. It's best to avoid loud noises or sudden changes during this period - negative events can have a serious impact on a puppy's personality and development at this point. Puppies learn some important things during this time, so it's essential that they stay with mom and littermates. Some of the things that Poodle pups learn is how to play without nipping too hard (his littermates will make sure of that!) and the puppy will begin to understand that "momma" does not poop or pee in the living area.
Stage 3: The Overlap Stage | 4-7 Weeks
From 3-4 weeks, your puppy begins the most critical social development period of his life - He is fully learning social interaction with his littermates, bite inhibition will become to be much clearer. He'll also learn discipline at this point - Mom will begin weaning the pups around this time, and will start teaching them basic manners, including accepting her as the leader of the pack. Soft yet solid food can be slowly introduced to Poodle pups at this time, transition should happen as the dam gradually weans them. This phase of switching from dam's milk to solid food is also a time that an owner must be very aware of the signs of hypoglycemia.
Poodle pups should now be held each day, for short amounts of time, to allow them to become used to human interaction...but do not stray far from the puppy's littermates. About twice a day for about 10 minutes is best at week 4, and work your way up to 15 minutes, 3 times a day by week 7. Puppies that are removed from the nest too early frequently are nervous, more prone to barking and biting and have a more difficult time with socialization and training. Puppies need to be left with Mom and siblings until at least 7 weeks of age - and preferably a little longer - for optimum social development.
The best time in a puppy's life to learn social skills is between 4 and 16 weeks of age - that's the window of opportunity you have to make sure your puppy grows up to be a well-adjusted dog. It's extremely important to leave your puppy with Mom and his littermates during as much of this period as possible. Don't discipline for play fighting, housebreaking mistakes or mouthing - that's all normal behavior for a puppy at this stage.
Stage 4: The Learning, Yet Afraid Stage | 8 Weeks to 3 Months
The Learning Yet Afraid Stage lasts from about 8 weeks to 3 months and this is the age that most owners will bring their new puppy home. It is a time of great change for a little Poodle pups. Everything is new...and those new things are scary until the puppy becomes used to them. Introduction to new home and family is so important. This is covered fully in the AllPoodleInfo Book.
Changes during this time can affect small Poodle pups...and if it is to affect them, it can result in hypoglycemia (a sudden drop in blood sugar levels). It is very important to have Karo syrup on hand at all times so that is a puppy shows signs of this dangerous condition, the syrup and be quickly rubbed into the pup's gums.
It is your responsibility to choose a high quality food to feed your new family member. However, it is dangerous to have a sudden switch in foods...it also, can lead to hypoglycemia. An owner should feed their puppy the same food that the breeder (or previous owner) used and then do a slow and gradual change, over the course of a month. You can read more about this in the Feeding Section.
Rapid learning will happen during weeks 8 to 10. A Poodle puppy will begin to learn where their food and water is (owners should choose a spot and never change it during this time, fresh water should be available at all times! This is not a good time to engage in discipline, allow loud voices or other sudden loud noises such as the radio or TV. Loud noises and disturbances can create a skittish dog.
At 8 weeks, Poodle pups have zero idea that they are supposed to go to the bathroom in a designated area! Housetraining will begin, and it will be a gradual process. Be patient as you teach your puppy where to go...and expect accidents. There is much more to house breaking than taking your dog outside...Full and complete details including the option of litter box training, crate training and much more are in the AllPoodleInfo Book
At this time your puppy's bladder and bowels are starting to come under much better control (Until this time, a puppy does not have strong bladder and bowel muscles). A puppy, towards the 13 week mark will be capable of sleeping through the night. You can begin teaching simple commands like come, sit, stay and down. Leash training can begin. (It is highly recommended to never put an actual leash on a small Toy or Miniature Poodle...A harness is necessary to avoid the very awful medical condition of Collapsed Trachea).
It's important not to isolate your puppy from human contact at this time, as he'll continue to learn behaviors and manners that will affect him in later years. It is best, if at all possible, to bring your new puppy home during a time when someone can be home with the pup...for example summer vacation, etc. If you work and have personal time saved up...use it for this stage in which your Poodle pup will be housebroken.
Stage 5: Final Puppy Stage | 4 Months to 1 Year
A lot will happen in this stage. Poodle pups will have grown in size quite well, almost reaching adult size. They should be fully trained in house breaking, commands and heeling. They will be active members of the family, used to a schedule and should be be well socialized. They should be adjusted to grooming and all related to it A well trained puppy will be able to stay home alone without any issues. You will be well past the stages of possible hypoglycemia and you can relax a bit from worrying about injuries that can cause luxating pattellas or hip dysplasia. In regard to breeding, by 1 year your female can be safely bred, although it is best to wait until age 2. Your male will be ready at 9 months (males do not even have live sperm until age 4 months). Congratulations, when raised correctly, your Poodle pup will be a happy member of your family!
