A puppy's first weeks of life, from weaning to arrival in its permanent home, lay foundations that will lastingly shape its behavioural development — a period that deserves particular attention, both from the breeder and from the new owner.

Weaning: a gradual transition

Weaning generally begins around 3-4 weeks and finishes around 7-8 weeks, with a gradual transition from maternal nursing to suitable solid food. Weaning that is too early or too abrupt can affect the puppy's behavioural development, particularly its future ability to cope with frustration.

The critical socialisation period, already mentioned but worth repeating

As detailed in our article on the basics of dog training, the 3-to-16-week window remains decisive for the dog's entire life. For the breeder, this period coincides with weaning — a dual responsibility that underlines how important it is to choose a serious breeder who is invested in this early stage.

The ideal age for arriving in the permanent home

Most regulations and veterinary recommendations place the minimum age for a puppy to leave at around 8 weeks, never before, in order to allow enough learning of canine social codes from the mother and littermates — learning that humans cannot fully replicate.

The first days in the new home

  • A calm, predictable environment to ease initial adjustment
  • A gradual introduction to the stimuli of the new environment, in line with the socialisation principles already discussed
  • A quickly established routine for meals, walks and sleep, reassuring for the young puppy
  • Vigilance around house-training, with frequent outings and systematic positive reinforcement of successes

Laying the foundations before any specialisation

As mentioned in our article on choosing a dog club or trainer, this early period forms the base on which all future learning will be built — reliable recall, frustration tolerance, coping with being alone — long before any thought of sport or professional specialisation.

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