Golden retriever puppies go through several developmental stages that affect their behavior. During these stages, puppies learn essential social and survival skills, and their behavior is influenced by their mother, littermates, and human interaction. It is necessary to understand these stages to provide appropriate care and training for puppies.
Golden retriever puppies go through 7 behavior stages as they develop and grow. These stages are a natural process that affects a dog’s behavior throughout life. Understanding the developmental stages of puppies is essential to provide them with appropriate care and training.
In this article, we will shed light on these stages in detail, so you can understand each phase better and make sure your puppy grows into a healthy, loving, and well-behaved dog.
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How’s the First Week With Golden Retriever Puppy Like?
The neonatal period includes the first 2 weeks of a puppy’s life. During this period, patterns for infancy, like feeding and bonding, are developed.
The neonatal period is also a time of caution, as there is a risk of infection due to their weak immune system. The mother’s first milk, colostrum, transfers passive immunity to help them fight off infections.
The pup’s body learns to breathe air, digest milk, excrete waste, and discover other vital skills during this period. They rely entirely on their mother during this stage.
Their senses of touch and taste are present at birth. They navigate by smell, which is their strongest sense, and their eyes are still closed and they can’t hear.
Golden Retriever Puppy Behavior Stages by Age: 7 Stages of Puppy Development
If you are thinking about how to prepare for a golden retriever puppy, it is essential to understand golden retriever puppy development week by week or your puppy stages by month. Let’s take a look.
Stage 1: Transitional Stage (2-3 Weeks)
The transitional stage lasts from 2 to 3 weeks of age. During this stage, puppies open their eyes, but their sight will be limited, and they should start hearing at about 3 weeks of age.
They may also begin exploring their surroundings and start learning to stand, walk, wag their tail, and you may even hear a few whines and grunts.
RECOMMENDED READING: Why Do Golden Retrievers Grunt?
Puppies become more aware of their environment and interact with their littermates. They also begin to develop their teeth, which can be painful for the mother during nursing.
Moreover, at this stage, puppies still completely depend on their mother for food and care. However, they become more active and curious and may begin to play with their littermates. This is an essential stage for puppies, as it sets the foundation for their socialization and development.
Providing a safe and comfortable environment for the puppies during the transitional stage is essential. The mother should have access to plenty of food and water, and the puppies should be kept warm and dry.
Handling the puppies gently and frequently is also important to help them become comfortable with a human touch.
Stage 2: Preparing to Meet the World Stage (3-4 weeks)
During this stage, puppies are almost ready to meet the world and become more aware of their surroundings. Puppies become more active and playful, and they start to interact more with their littermates.
Primary socialization occurs when puppies are about 3 weeks old. They start learning essential life lessons from their mother and littermates by observing their behavior.
They start to develop their senses and become more curious about their environment. They should be able to recognize you and your family members by now.
They can start eating solid food mixed with water and mashed, and they will still be nursing from their mother at this stage.
Puppies still depend on their mother for food and care but become a bit more independent. They will explore their surroundings and become more curious about their environment, which may lead them to experiment with new things.
Stage 3: The Stage of Socializing With the World (4-7 weeks)
This is a crucial stage for puppy development as puppies learn to socialize with the world during this stage. Although the socialization period starts at 3 weeks of age, it will last till 12 to 14 weeks.
It’s important to socialize puppies the right way with new environments, animals, people, and objects so they don’t behave aggressively, fearfully, or anxiously as they grow up and help them become well-adjusted adults.
Puppies shouldn’t be separated from their mother and littermates at this stage since they are learning important skills from them, like appropriate social behaviors and bite inhibition.
Recommended Reading: When Can Golden Retriever Puppies Leave Their Mother?
During this stage, puppies become more social and interactive with their littermates. They learn how to play and develop bite inhibition and how to interact with other dogs and humans. Puppies also start to become more independent and curious about their surroundings.
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Golden retriever puppies still depend on their mother for food and care, but they become more self-sufficient. Puppies also develop their personalities and may show signs of dominance or submission.
By 5 to 6 weeks, your puppy’s baby teeth will be fully grown in and they should be in the process of weaning as they learn to eat soft puppy food.
Stage 4: The Fearful Stage (8 to 12 weeks)
Your golden retriever puppy may go through their 1st fear period, which is around 8 to 11 weeks. This is also the time when puppies are brought home.
Some puppies go through the fear period, and some don’t. It’s not easy to guess if they will or not. However, if they do experience the fear period, they will be fearful of everything all of a sudden.
What didn’t make them fearful before could start making them afraid out of nowhere. Keep in mind that they will also be going through the socialization period, which is essential for their development.
When a puppy comes home, the responsibility of socialization shifts from the breeder to the pet parent, so you should keep socializing them safely.
Therefore, it is vital to introduce the puppies safely to the new world, environment, people, and other animals. Make sure they are as comfortable as possible exploring or interacting with new things, people, animals, or environments. Otherwise, they will be left scared for life.
Be positive and encouraging and implement reward-based training to help them build confidence and overcome their fears. Punishment or negative reinforcement can worsen the fear and damage the bond between the puppy and their owner.
Furthermore, around 7 to 8 weeks, puppies are completely weaned, which means they should be able to have a complete solid puppy diet.
You may even get worried if you find them sleeping most of the day, but this is normal as they need to grow and develop physically and mentally.
Recommended Reading: Do Golden Retriever Puppies Sleep a Lot?
Also Read: 8-Week-Old Golden Retriever Behavior: A Complete Guide
Stage 5: The Angel Stage (12 to 24 weeks)
Between 12 and 16 weeks, puppies lose their baby teeth, and their adult teeth start to come in. They may experience discomfort as their permanent teeth erupt and may chew more on anything they can find.
Recommended Reading: When Do Golden Retriever Puppies Stop Biting?
Also Read: Do Golden Retrievers Chew A Lot?
It’s time for you to start buying pet-safe chewing toys to help your golden retriever puppy relieve their gums. Otherwise, your furniture may become their target.
Apart from this, your puppy may be an angel during this stage. You should start seeing their personality develop by now. They will still be curious little pups but will be more confident.
You should start training them by 16 weeks of age. You can enroll them in training classes and also house-train them.
They should understand basic commands like sit or eat and have a consistent routine while ensuring everyone else in your home also follows your golden retriever puppy schedule. Your pup should also well understand the house rules.
Recommended Reading: 5-Month-Old Golden Retriever Behavior: A Complete Guide
Also Read: 4-Month-Old Golden Retriever Behavior: A Complete Guide
Stage 6: The Teenage Stage (6-18 months)
Your golden retriever puppy may not seem like an angel to you anymore, as they will be going through hormonal changes and start testing boundaries.
These hormonal changes can lead to increased aggression, moodiness, territorial behavior, and a tendency to challenge authority. Puppies may also become more challenging when focusing on training or following commands.
It may seem as if they have forgotten about all the house rules or training you have been teaching them. However, it’s very important to keep training them to help your puppy learn good behavior.
They may also experience a 2nd fear period between 6 to 14 months, which can cause them to fear people, objects, and environments once again in their life. You should keep socializing them in a controlled environment in the same way as the 1st fear period.
Providing them with plenty of physical exercises and mental stimulation during this stage is also essential to burn off their energy. If your house has stairs, it’s important to learn when can golden retriever puppies go up and down stairs to prevent health problems.
They will keep exploring new environments and things at this stage. This stage may seem like the toughest to you, but it will pass, too, by adopting the right strategies, as we discussed.
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Also Read: Golden Retriever 7 Months Old Behavior: A Complete Guide
Stage 7: The Maturity Stage (18 to 24 Months)
The final stage marks the end of puppyhood in the life of a golden retriever between 18 and 24 months. It is when a puppy physically and emotionally matures, and their personality traits will be completely visible.
During this stage, golden retriever puppies behave well and socialize properly. They will show the same high level of energy, but now they can be easily controlled.
Your canine shows a very strong bond with you at this stage, and it is better to continue their training to ensure they are a well-behaved dog.
RECOMMENDED READING: 18-Month-Old Golden Retriever Behavior: A Complete Guide
ALSO READ: 2-Year-Old Golden Retriever Behavior: A Complete Guide
Tips for Raising a Golden Retriever Puppy While Working
Raising a puppy while working can be challenging but not impossible with the right strategy. Here are a few tips to help you raise a golden retriever puppy when working.
1. Provide Exercise and Playtime
Golden retriever puppies are active and energetic and require plenty of exercise and playtime, which helps them release pent-up physical and mental energy to prevent destructive and overexcited behavior.
It would help if you plan to exercise your puppy and provide them playtime before leaving for work, such as taking your pup for a walk or playing fetch in the backyard.
If you can’t dedicate time in the morning, it’s better to hire a dog walker or enroll your puppy in doggy daycare to ensure they get enough activity and socialization while you are at work.
2. Use Playpen or Babygates
Crate training may seem like the right thing to do to keep your golden retriever puppy safe and secure, but it is not recommended to confine them in a crate for several hours every day.
Your puppy may feel like being locked up and end up getting furious or anxious, which could lead to destructive behavior. So, instead of using a crate, a playpen or baby gate is a better option.
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A playpen or baby gate (that can also be used as a playpen) is ideal for providing a safe and comfortable space for your pup while you are away, so they can move around freely in a confined area without the feeling of being locked up in a “prison”.
You will have enough space to place their food and water and allow them to have a bigger space to roam around freely. Don’t forget to puppy-proof the confined area to keep them safe.
You can provide your pup with plenty of pet-safe toys, such as puzzle and chew toys, to keep them mentally engaged while you are away.
Consider leaving the radio or TV on for some background noise, but make sure it’s not too loud and the content is relaxing, which can help soothe your pup and make them feel less lonely or anxious.
3. Monitor Your Pup Using Camera
Leaving your puppy alone at home while you have to go to work can be frustrating for you and your puppy.
However, you can keep an eye on your puppy and see if they are doing well behind using a Furbo 360° Dog Camera. It provides a 360° rotating view, lets you hear your pup and communicate with them in real time, and even toss treats to make them feel they are not alone and encourage positive behavior, all through your phone.
4. Leave Home the Right Way
When leaving your adorable little golden retriever for work, you may want to cry, cuddle with them, and say goodbye to them. This can make your puppy feel like your leaving home is a bad thing, making them feel very anxious.
When leaving for work, try sneaking out and say no to big goodbyes so they worry less. You can even distract them by handing them their favorite toy.
Keep changing the order of your leaving routine, such as picking up the keys or wearing your coat, to not give them a hint whenever you’re about to leave home.
5. Ask Your Family, Friends, and Neighbours for Help
If you have to go to work and leave your puppy alone at home, you can ask for a favor from your family, friends, or neighbors you trust. You can ask them to check your puppy 2 to 3 times a day and see if they are fine.
If your puppy is quite young, it would be better to ask them to be with your pup while you’re away. Make sure they have the right temperament for taking care of a puppy, and they don’t punish or be harsh with them.
6. Hire a Pet Sitter or Dog Walker
If no family member, friend, or neighbor is available, you can hire a pet sitter or a dog walker.
A hired pet sitter will take care of your puppy and all their needs the whole day till you come back, but this can be expensive. Some pet sitters offer their services at their own place with other dogs, and some provide individual services at your home.
If your puppy is old enough, you can ask them to sit your puppy for a few hours only.
A dog walker will not only walk your dog and exercise and socialize them but may also be in your budget.
No matter what you choose based on your budget, make sure the person you’re handing over your puppy to is reliable, professional, experienced, and doesn’t use punishment-based training.
7. Opt for Doggy Daycare
A doggy daycare is also a good option for working pet parents. It is a safe place you can trust while leaving your puppy for a whole day.
Puppy owners can drop their puppy at the daycare, where professional people will care for them. They will feed the puppy, engage the puppy in healthy, playful activities, and take care of their food time, naps, and potty breaks.
This option may be expensive but it will be worth it for your puppy. However, you must ensure it’s a reliable facility with many positive reviews.
You can visit the facility yourself and check it out. Ensure they also require proof of vaccinations to keep your puppy safe and avoid those that don’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the most difficult puppy stage?
Many pet parents generally find the first few weeks after bringing their new puppy home the most challenging as they adjust to a new routine. The adolescence stage can also be the most difficult as puppies’ hormones change along with their behavior.
2. What is the naughtiest puppy age?
Your golden retriever puppy may be the naughtiest between 6 to 18 months, and this is also when they are considered teenagers. They may test your boundaries due to emerging hormones, and it may seem like they’ve forgotten all the house rules and boundaries. Consistent training and socialization is the key.
3. What is the normal behavior of a new puppy?
Normal behavior for a new puppy includes exploring its surroundings, playing, sleeping, and eating. Puppies may also display some behavior that could be deemed inappropriate, such as biting or chewing, but they are just playful little puppies, and all this is normal.
Conclusion
Golden retriever puppy developmental stages include 7 phases shaping their behavior and personality as adults. They may show appropriate as well as inappropriate behaviors during these stages. It’s essential to socialize and train them properly, so they can become a well-behaved and happy dog.
If puppyhood has exhausted you and you want to get through it easily, we recommend reading this article next – When Do Golden Retriever Puppies Get Easier?