The 5 Stages of Pupperty: Is Your Puppy Being Naughty… or Just Growing Up?
- jaytrenbe
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Toilet training nightmares, chewed-up shoes, constant nipping, chaos at dinner time, sound familiar?
You’re not alone. Almost every puppy owner I meet comes to me feeling frustrated, a little defeated or like a bad Mum or Dad.
Hey, I get it. It’s exhausting trying to raise a tiny creature who has no idea what the rules are. That’s because... it doesn’t.
But here’s the thing I always remind people: your puppy isn’t broken, they’re just a baby trying to figure out a big, strange new world.
Let’s look at what’s really going on behind the curtain of that wild behaviour, and why understanding their development stages can change everything, for them and for you.
Starting from Scratch: Your Puppy’s Whole World Just Changed
If you’ve just brought home a 10-week-old pup, try to imagine it from their perspective: They’ve just been taken away from their mum, siblings, the only caregivers they’ve ever known, and every familiar scent and sound.
It’s overwhelming. It’s scary. And it’s going to take them time to feel safe again.
That’s where you come in, not just as a rule-setter, but as a calm, steady presence that helps them adjust, learn, and trust.
The Awkward, Adorable Road to Adulthood: Your Puppy’s 5 Stages of Pupperty.
1. The Newborn Blob Stage (0–2 Weeks)
Eyes shut, ears closed, just tiny hungry babies relying on mum.
Learning starts here, but it’s all instinctual.
Basically: eat, sleep, cuddle, repeat.
2. Wakey Wakey Stage (2–4 Weeks)
Eyes open! Wobbly legs! Tiny barks!
They start to notice the world, and it’s adorable chaos.
Still need lots of time with mum and siblings.
3. Little Explorer Stage (4–12 Weeks)
The most important stage for socialisation and positive experiences.
Time to meet people, other dogs, hear new sounds, walk on new surfaces.
They’re learning fast, perfect time to gently introduce house training and simple cues.
4. Cheeky Kid Stage (3–6 Months)
Like primary school kids testing the rules.
Big feelings, big chews, big energy.
They start figuring out where they fit in with dogs and humans.
5. Full blown Pupperty Stage (6+ Months)
Hormones kick in, confidence grows, and they might start challenging the rules.
Not being naughty necessarily just figuring out their place in the family.
Time for calm, consistent leadership (and patience, lots of patience).
Why Coaching You is Just as Important as Training Them
Here’s the secret sauce I always bring to the table: I’m not just here to train your dog, I’m here to support you.
Because when you understand why your puppy is doing something, and what they’re going through, it changes everything.
You become calmer, clearer, more confident. You stop reacting, and start leading. And guess what? That’s when your pup starts to really relax, learn, and grow.
The end result? A dog who wants to listen, who feels safe in your home, and who’s part of a life that just… Clicks! see what i did there?
Let’s Make It CLICK!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your new pup, don’t go it alone. Whether it’s toilet training, pulling, or just needing a bit of reassurance that you’re doing okay, we can work through it together.
Send me a message, and let’s set up a session to get things on a positive track for both of you. Because your puppy deserves a calm, confident human…And you deserve a happy, chilled-out dog.
Comments