Whelped: November 26, 2005

Weeks 4 and 5

Quickly gaining strength and coordination, the puppy begins to respond to his environment. He can bark, stand, walk, run, even pounce. His mother teaches him to eliminate away from his sleeping area.

He learns to play by wrestling with his littermates. When he's nipped too hard or is batted back by a defensive sibling, he learns the difference between hard and soft biting. At this point, puppies are forever testing their limits and take turns sleeping at the top and bottom of the sibling pile. Hunting and chasing instincts kick in, so this is a good time to introduce your pup to toys.

The mother dog referees when playtime gets too rough. She may nudge or restrain an errant pup, or she may growl at him, teaching the puppy discipline and acclimating him to the process of training. If they're not properly socialized, orphaned dogs raised without a mother and littermates may have a hard time relating to their human leaders, and to other dogs, as well.

Toward the end of this period, it's time for the caretaker's family to become more involved with the young dog. This familiarizes him with the everyday smells and sounds of a modern household, including appliances, children and assorted adults.

Since he's cutting his first teeth, his mother begins to wean him. She might chew her food and then regurgitate it for her puppies to eat.