Dog Growth Spurts And Stages (What To Expect | Solved!)

If you are the parent of a young dog, you may have noticed some growth spurts and changes in your pup as he or she grows. Wondering what to expect during these stages and how best to care for your growing dog can be daunting, but don’t worry! This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about your puppy’s growth and development. Keep reading to learn more.

Do Dogs Have Growth Spurts?

Yes, dogs go through growth spurts. They remain close to the same size when they’re puppies. Once they reach adolescence, dogs will go through several growth spurts that occur rapidly. There are a few different growth spurts happening at the same time.

Your dog’s body will be growing. For smaller breeds, the change may not be immediately noticeable. For bigger dogs, they’ll grow quite quickly.

Another growth spurt that occurs is in their teeth. This is the stage in which their permanent teeth come in. They’ll need access to plenty of chew toys to help with the discomfort.

Finally, their coat will change. Puppies will shed their soft, puppy, fur, and start to grow their adult coat instead. You may notice excess fur around the house during this stage.

What Are The Growth Stages Of A Puppy?

There are a few stages a puppy goes through as they grow. The first is the newborn stage. This is when a puppy was just born. It’s blind, doesn’t have any teeth, and is also deaf. It needs warmth because it can’t generate it on its own.

The neonatal period is next. This takes place between birth and two weeks. During this time, the puppy develops its sense of smell and touch. It can find its mother’s breast to receive milk. Also during this period, their birth weight will double.

The transitional period takes place between weeks two and four. This is when their eyes open and they start to grow a bit more independent. They’re able to walk around and play. This is also when their puppy teeth start to develop.

The weeks four to twelve are called the socialization period. This is when they start to recognize others and create bonds. This is also when they wean away from milk and start to eat solid food instead.

The fear period takes place between weeks eight and twelve. This is when puppies grow a bit nervous around new things and people. Careful socialization can help them overcome these fears. The puppy is also growing more.

Some consider a puppy grown once they’re one-year-olds, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes the puppy stage can last even until they’re two years old.

Is My Puppy Going Through A Growth Spurt?

There are a few factors that can indicate whether your puppy is going through a growth spurt or not. The first is chewing. If they’re doing a lot of chewing, then they’re likely going through a growth spurt. Because puppies grow fast, they experience some discomfort. Chewing is a way to help ease their discomfort.

Another way to tell if your puppy is going through a growth spurt is if they’re losing their hair. Puppies have to shed their puppy coat in order to grow their adult coat.

Finally, if your puppy may be going through a growth spurt if you notice that they’re growing larger rapidly.

Do Dogs Sleep During Growth Spurts?

Dogs often sleep while going through growth spurts. That’s because it takes a lot of energy to grow as quickly as they do. It’s not uncommon to find puppies bursting with energy one second only to be passed out and napping the next. Puppies especially sleep when they’re younger because their bodies are rapidly developing to help them see, hear, and to move around.

When Do Dogs Grow The Most?

The first six months of their life is when dogs start to grow the most. However, larger dogs will continue to grow for several more months. Most larger breeds, according to the American Kennel Club, will finally stop growing after 24 months or two years.

Smaller breeds usually stop growing after six or eight months.

Can You Tell How Big A Puppy Will Get By Its Paws?

One of the first parts to grow in a dog is its paws. As such, you can get a general idea of how large your dog is going to be based on its paws. This is true for purebreds more so than mixed breeds. Because purebreds have a general size, it’s easier to tell by their paws how large they’re going to be.

Mixed breeds, on the other hand, are less certain. You never know which gene is going to code for their height and weight.

What Is The Fear Period In Puppies?

The fear period is a time in a puppy’s life where they become frightened of other people, dogs, and objects. It’s a time when they learn caution. Otherwise, they’d just run headlong into any danger.

You may notice that your dog becomes shy around other pets, people, or even objects like the broom or vacuum.

A way to help your dog grow past their fear is to socialize them. Constant contact with other dogs, in a safe environment, and people can help your dog feel more comfortable and confident around them in the future.

How Do You Know When A Dog Is Going Through Puberty?

According to Purina, a female dog exhibits a few signs of puberty. Their vulva will start to swell and appear red. You may see some discharge in this area, too. They’ll also often lick the area. Your female dog will likely need to urinate more often during their heat cycle, too. Male dogs may show an interest in her which can result in aggressive behavior from her. She may also have bloody discharge.

For male dogs, their scrotum will drop. Another indicator that they’re going through puberty is if they lift their leg to urinate. Not all dogs will do this. They may also seem aggressive at certain times.

How Do Dogs Cope With Puberty?

Dogs usually deal with puberty by releasing energy or grooming themselves. They may feel pent-up or energetic and will act out. You can help them cope with their puberty by playing with them. You don’t want to act aggressively towards them.

You can also help their hormones by taking them to be spayed or neutered if you don’t intend to breed them. This can reduce the number of hormones in their body.

What Are The Life Stages Of A Dog?

There are four main stages of a dog’s life. The first is the puppy stage which lasts until around six months.

The next is the adolescent stage which lasts from month six to month eighteen.

The adult stage is next which lasts from month eighteen to seven years. Larger breeds may start their adult stage at year three instead.

Dogs are considered seniors when they hit age seven or ten, depending on their size and breed. Larger dogs tend to have a shorter lifespan than smaller dogs.