Follow our puppies as they grow-from sleepy newborns to playful, curious companions. Each week brings new milestones, new experiences, and thoughtful care to help them prepare for life with their families.

Week 1: Welcome to the World

Birth–7 days

What’s Happening with the Puppies

Our puppies have arrived, and their world revolves around warmth, milk, and snuggling close to Mom. Their eyes and ears are still closed, so they use smell and touch to find her. Most of their time is spent sleeping and nursing as their little bodies begin growing.

How We’re Caring for Them

Our focus is on keeping everyone warm, comfortable, and well nourished. We weigh each puppy daily, watch closely to make sure everyone is nursing, and keep their bedding clean and dry. We also care for Mom, making sure she has food, water, rest, and plenty of attention. Brief, gentle handling helps us get to know each puppy from the very beginning.

Week 2: Little Changes, Every Day

8-14 days

What’s Happening with the Puppies

The puppies are growing stronger and moving around with more purpose. Toward the end of this week, their eyes may begin to open, giving us our first glimpse of those sweet little faces. Their vision is still developing, and they continue to spend most of their time sleeping, nursing and cuddling together.

How We’re Caring for Them

We continue daily weigh-ins and close observation of each puppy’s progress. Gentle handling remains part of our routine. During the early newborn period, our program includes brief Early Neurological Stimulation and Early Scent Introduction activities when puppies are healthy and comfortable. These carefully managed experiences complement the loving care they receive from Mom and from us.

Week 3: First Steps and New Discoveries

15–21 days

What’s Happening with the Puppies

Our sleepy newborns are beginning to notice the world around them! Their eyes are open, their hearing is developing, and their wobbly first steps are turning into little adventures. They begin responding to sounds and interacting with their littermates. Tiny teeth may also start making an appearance.

How We’re Caring for Them

As the puppies become more mobile, we begin giving them room to explore safely. We introduce a separate potty area and offer gentle exposure to our voices, touch, and everyday activity. Every new experience is kept brief and comfortable, with plenty of time afterward to nurse and rest.

Week 4: Playtime Begins

22–28 days

What’s Happening with the Puppies

The nursery is becoming a much livelier place! The puppies are steadier on their feet and beginning to play, investigate toys, and interact more with us. We may see little tail wags, playful pounces, and their first attempts at wrestling. This is also often the beginning of weaning, as they try soft puppy food while continuing to nurse.

How We’re Caring for Them

We introduce soft puppy food gradually and watch how each puppy adjusts. Their space grows to include areas for sleeping, playing, and potty practice. We offer safe toys and gentle introductions to different textures, brushing, and handling of their paws. Our goal is to make these early discoveries comfortable and enjoyable.

Week 5: Curious Puppies, Growing Confidence

29–35 days

What’s Happening with the Puppies

Their personalities are beginning to shine! Some puppies eagerly investigate new things, while others take a moment to watch before joining in. Play becomes more interactive, and time with Mom and littermates helps them begin learning canine communication and boundaries. Puppy food becomes a larger part of their diet as weaning progresses.

How We’re Caring for Them

We provide new experiences in small, manageable steps, including safe surfaces, toys, and positive interactions with people. Individual attention helps us learn what makes each puppy comfortable and curious. We continue encouraging good potty habits and introducing grooming experiences, always balancing activity with plenty of sleep.

Week 6: Learning Through Everyday Adventures

36–42 days

What’s Happening with the Puppies

The puppies are becoming more coordinated, playful, and interested in people. They explore with increasing confidence and begin showing more recognizable preferences and responses. Although they look more grown up, they are still babies who learn best through short, positive experiences and lots of rest.

How We’re Caring for Them

We build on their earlier experiences with gentle exposure to household sounds, new play activities, and short periods of individual attention. We introduce brief, positive crate experiences and reward behaviors we want to encourage, such as calmly approaching us. Brushing, paw handling, and other grooming practice continue to help these routines feel familiar.

Week 7: Getting to Know Each Puppy

43–49 days

What’s Happening with the Puppies

Their individual personalities are becoming easier to recognize. We observe how they approach people, respond to something unfamiliar, play with littermates, and settle after activity. They continue learning from Mom and one another while becoming increasingly interested in spending time with us.

How We’re Caring for Them

We spend time with each puppy individually and observe them across different situations. These repeated observations help us understand their developing temperaments and guide conversations with families about a suitable match. We also practice short, comfortable periods apart from littermates and continue positive introductions to the experiences they will encounter in their new homes.

Week 8: Preparing for Their Next Adventure

50–56 days

What’s Happening with the Puppies

Our tiny newborns have grown into playful, curious puppies! They are generally eating puppy food independently and enjoying interaction with people. They have made wonderful progress, but they still need patient guidance, frequent potty opportunities, plenty of sleep, and continued positive socialization.

How We’re Caring for Them

We focus on helping each puppy prepare for the transition home. We continue familiar routines, individual attention, gentle grooming, and positive crate experiences. We also organize health records and care instructions so families understand feeding, daily routines, and next steps. When each puppy is ready to leave, we want their family to feel prepared, supported, and excited to welcome them.

Every puppy grows at their own pace. These weekly milestones are a general guide, and we adjust our care to each puppy’s needs.

Exceptionally Raised. Deeply Loved.