Puppy Milestones by Week: A Guide to Puppy Development and Socialization

The Well-Mannered Mutt Podcast

What if you could understand what’s going on in your puppy’s brain - week by week? In this episode, I’m breaking down puppy milestones so you know exactly what to expect at every stage of your pup’s first year. We’ll walk through puppy milestones by week, explore what’s happening developmentally inside that little fuzzy head, and talk about how you can best support them during their most sensitive stages - including the puppy critical socialization period. I’ll help you understand puppy development like never before - because when you know better, you do better. And knowing these stages? It’s a total game-changer for your relationship. Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• What really happens during the puppy critical socialization period - and why missing it can have long-term effects.
• The truth about those early weeks: what puppy milestones matter most in shaping a confident, resilient adult dog.
• Why asking your breeder about puppy development practices isn’t overkill - it’s essential.
• When is the best time to start training and socializing your puppy? (Hint: it’s earlier than you think!)
• What surprises you can expect during adolescent stages, and how knowing puppy milestones by week helps you stay sane through it all.

Whether you’re in the newborn snuggle stage or the teenage chaos phase, this episode will give you the tools - and the mindset - to navigate puppy development with more clarity, compassion, and confidence. What’s one piece of advice about puppy development that you’ve ditched or reconsidered? Head over to Instagram @mannersformutts and DM me your story or tag me in your post. Resources mentioned in this episode: But, My Puppy's Not Fully Vaccinated! Easy Pee-sy Puppy Potty Training Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence Program WAIT! Come Back! Rapid Fire Recall Connect with Staci Lemke: Website - www.mannersformutts.com Instagram & Facebook @mannersformutts