Milestones and Magic: What to Expect from Four-Week-Old Puppies

Today, our litter turns four weeks old. The first month of a puppy's life is a time of rapid growth and development. By the time the puppies reach four weeks of age, significant milestones have already occurred, and the little furball is beginning to take on more independent behaviors. Here’s a look at the key milestones we see when our pups hit the four-week mark.

1. Transitioning from Milk to Solid Food

When pups reach four weeks, they’re ready to begin weaning from their mother’s milk. While some puppies may still be nursing, many are now able to start eating solid food. Puppy food should be specially formulated for their nutritional needs, providing the necessary vitamins, minerals, and protein for healthy growth.

At four weeks, we introduce crushed puppy kibble soaked in goat milk. This makes it easier for our puppies to eat, as their teeth haven’t fully developed yet.

2. Increased Socialization and Play

At this stage, our puppy’s social development begins to take off. Puppies are naturally curious and energetic, and four-week-olds will start engaging with their littermates more actively. They’ll wrestle, play, and practice important social skills like biting gently, barking, and responding to the behaviors of others. Playtime is crucial for helping them develop coordination, strength, and social cues.

While they still rely heavily on their siblings and mother, four-week-old puppies are beginning to learn boundaries. We help by gently playing with them and using positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate behavior.

3. Improved Coordination and Mobility

At four weeks old, puppies begin to move more confidently. You'll notice them walking around, exploring their environment, and becoming increasingly steady on their feet. Though they might still be a little wobbly at times, their coordination improves rapidly, and they can navigate short distances with ease.

Puppies are now more curious about their surroundings, and they will begin to investigate their environment beyond just their mother and siblings. As they move around, we provide a safe and controlled space for them to explore. We create a puppy-friendly area for them to roam in, as they will be more active and curious.

4. Basic Communication Skills Develop

At four weeks old, puppies start to develop their vocalizations beyond simple whimpers and yips. We begin hearing our puppies bark or growl as they try to communicate with their littermates and with us. Barking is still not fully refined at this stage, but these early sounds will become more varied and distinct over time.

In addition to vocalizations, puppies begin to communicate through body language. They’ll wag their tails, display playful postures, and even show signs of affection, like licking or nuzzling.

5. Early Potty Training Signs

Around the four-week mark, puppies start to gain more control over their bladder and bowel movements. While they are still dependent on their mother for cleaning and stimulation, we start to notice pups beginning to move away from the bedding to go potty. This is a sign of their growing awareness of where they should eliminate, which is the first step toward potty training.

6. Emerging Teeth and Chewing Behavior

This is an exciting time for them—because puppies will start to explore their world by chewing on anything they can find. Whether it’s toys, shoes, or furniture, chewing is a natural part of their development and an essential process for their teeth and jaws.

7. The Beginnings of Independence

By four weeks, puppies are no longer entirely dependent on their mother. While they still need her for warmth, comfort, and nursing, they start to show more interest in exploring their world and interacting with humans. We often notice the puppies become more alert, curious, and even occasionally independent. This marks the start of the journey toward becoming a well-adjusted, confident dog.

The four-week milestone is an exciting time in a puppy’s life. From transitioning to solid food to becoming more independent and social, our pups are quickly learning essential skills that will shape their future behavior.