The ideal window is between 8 and 12 weeks - old 

The time your puppy spends with their mother and siblings is critical for development, and so it's important to make sure they spend this growth with their litter.

The first month 

The first four weeks or so puppies depends on their mothers for everything. The mother's first milk, called COLOSTRUM, is rich in nutrients and antibodies that help protect the puppies from illness while their immune systems are still developing. This milk provides all the nutrition the puppies need for the first few weeks after birth. 

Weaning to Solid foods

Puppies start to experiment with solid food as early as 3 - Weeks - old. They still nurse, and mothers continue to produce milk up to about 10 weeks. Some nursing is for nutrition, but it is also a comforting, bonding activity for the puppies. 

Most puppies are fully weaned to solid food between 7 and 10 weeks of age, although the transition can occur earlier. 

Learning to speak dog!

 

Equally crucial to a puppy's development is mastering proper canine etiquette and communication within the context of their litter.

Starting as early as three weeks old, puppies begin learning from their mother and siblings to eliminate away from their sleeping area, which plays a significant role in housebreaking later on. 

You can also assist your litter in this learning process. (Be sure to check out the training tips section for helpful advice.) 

  If you've observed a litter of puppies at play, you know they exhibit a range of adorable antics! However, these playful behaviors serve a greater purpose. The puppies are honing hunting and communication skills that they will need to master as they grow.

  One of the most vital lessons puppies acquire through play is bite inhibition—learning not to bite too hard. During playtime, puppies often nip at their siblings and mother, tugging on legs, tails, and even faces. If a puppy bites too firmly, the recipient will vocalize their discomfort, signaling that the bite was excessive. Mothers may respond similarly or offer gentle corrections when play becomes too rough. 

   This lesson is essential before puppies venture into the world, as other dogs are much less forgiving of inappropriate play than their mothers! Additionally, biting can develop into a common behavioral problem that might lead to a dog being placed in a shelter (or worse) later in life.

  Puppies also experiment with various vocalizations and body language, learning how to communicate effectively with their siblings and mother. Those that miss out on these formative experiences often face challenges in social interactions with other dogs as they mature, failing to interpret signals correctly or displaying inappropriate behavior themselves. 

 

Socialization