Welcoming a new puppy into your home is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences. The first year of your puppy’s life is filled with rapid growth, new behaviours, and essential learning moments that will shape their lifelong habits. From their first vaccinations to their first successful toilet outside, each milestone matters.
To help guide you through this journey, we’ve outlined the key developmental stages of your puppy’s first year, along with the must-have products and tools to support their growth and wellbeing.
0–8 weeks: The newborn stage
Puppies typically stay with their mother and littermates until around 8 weeks of age. During this period, they begin to learn basic behaviours through interaction with their siblings, such as bite inhibition and social cues. Most pet owners won’t bring a puppy home during this time, but it’s still important to understand the foundation that’s being laid.
Breeders and foster carers play a vital role here, introducing gentle handling, exposure to different textures, and early sounds to help build confidence.
Must-haves at this stage (if you’re a breeder or foster carer):
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Puppy-safe whelping area
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Gentle grooming brush
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Puppy milk replacer (if not nursing)
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Warm bedding and heat pads for temperature regulation
8–12 weeks: Settling into their new home
This is typically when your puppy will join your household. It’s a big adjustment, and puppies at this age are curious, playful, and starting to form strong attachments. It’s also the perfect window for early socialisation and training.
House training should begin immediately, along with crate training, name recognition, and basic cues like “sit” and “come.” Your puppy will also need their first round of vaccinations and a vet check-up.
Must-haves:
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Puppy food formulated for growth and development
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Crate or playpen for safe confinement
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Age-appropriate toys (chew toys, plush toys, and teething rings)
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Enzyme cleaner for toilet training accidents
12–16 weeks: Socialisation and training
This period is often referred to as the “critical socialisation window.” Puppies are eager to explore the world, but they’re also forming lasting impressions, both good and bad. Positive exposure to different people, dogs, sounds, and environments during this stage helps prevent fear-based behaviours later in life.
It’s also when your puppy begins teething, which can lead to chewing and mouthing. Consistent training, clear boundaries, and plenty of appropriate chew toys are essential.
Must-haves:
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Puppy toothbrush and paste
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Teething toys or puppy-safe chew options like Bell & Bone Dental Sticks
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Puppy treats for training (look for soft, high-reward treats like Absolute Holistic Bisque)
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Puppy shampoo and grooming tools for early coat care
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Car harness or carrier for safe travel
Now is also the perfect time to enrol in puppy school. Early training in a controlled environment with other puppies helps reinforce positive behaviours and social confidence.
16–24 weeks: Building routine and good habits
As your puppy’s confidence grows, so can their cheekiness. This is a time when testing boundaries is common. You may notice new behaviours like jumping, barking, or selective hearing. Consistent routines, calm correction, and ongoing training are crucial.
Puppies also start to lose their baby teeth and develop stronger jaw muscles, which can intensify chewing. Mental stimulation becomes just as important as physical exercise.
Must-haves:
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Long-lasting chew toys
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Puzzle toys and slow feeders for mental enrichment
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Treat-dispensing toys
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Desensitisation tools (e.g. gentle nail clippers, ear wipes)
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Flea and worming treatments (speak to your vet or visit Woonona Petfoods for guidance)
It’s also a good time to start leash training more seriously and introduce short car trips, new surfaces, and different people and pets in a positive way.
6–9 months: Teenage stage
Welcome to puppy adolescence. Your dog might seem to forget their training or become more independent. Hormonal changes can affect behaviour, this is when many dogs start to push limits or show signs of stubbornness.
Desexing usually occurs around this time, depending on your vet’s recommendation and your puppy’s breed and size. Keep reinforcing training daily and ensure your puppy still gets plenty of mental and physical exercise.
Must-haves:
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Reinforced collars and leads (especially for large or strong breeds)
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Treats for recall training
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Long-line lead for safe off-lead practice
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Ongoing enrichment and boredom busters
Chewing can continue well into the teenage phase, so rotate toys regularly to keep your pup interested and prevent destructive habits.
9–12 months: Becoming an adult
By now, your puppy is starting to resemble an adult dog in size, but they’ll likely still show bursts of puppy-like energy and behaviour. Training should continue with a focus on reinforcing good habits and addressing any behavioural issues early.
Depending on the breed, you may begin transitioning to adult food, especially in smaller breeds who mature faster. Larger breeds may need to stay on puppy food until 12–18 months, so it’s always best to consult your vet.
Must-haves:
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Breed-appropriate adult food (or continuation of large-breed puppy formulas)
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Durable toys for stronger jaws
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Adult-sized beds and bowls
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Annual vet check-up and vaccinations
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Continued social exposure
Ongoing positive reinforcement, regular exercise, and a consistent routine will help your dog settle into adulthood with confidence and good manners.
Puppy essentials checklist
Here’s a quick recap of must-have products for your puppy’s first year:
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High-quality puppy food
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Fresh meat toppers or training treats
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Chews and teething aids for enrichment
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Puppy shampoo, brushes, and dental care tools
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Enzyme cleaner for toilet accidents
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Travel harness or crate
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Collar, lead, and ID tag
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Crate or playpen for safe confinement
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Mental stimulation toys and slow feeders
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Ongoing flea, tick, and worm prevention
At Woonona Petfoods, we stock a wide range of puppy essentials in-store and online, with expert staff available to help you find the right products for your puppy’s age, breed, and personality.
Give your puppy the best start with puppy school!
We understand the importance of giving your puppy the best start to life! Enrolling in a puppy school will help to develop good behaviours and new skills, as well as creating an opportunity for your puppy to socialise with other, like-minded puppies.
We know that life can sometimes get in the way of your puppy’s training, making it hard to keep on top of bad behaviours and habits, which is why we offer flexible training timetables to suit the needs of all families. Our resident dog trainer has been training dogs for over 30 years and enjoys working with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds.
Our Puppy School classes take a maximum of 10 puppies per class, meaning sessions are small enough for one-on-one guidance, but large enough to allow social development in a safe, controlled environment. Whether you’re starting fresh or reinforcing early training, Puppy School at Woonona Petfoods gives your pup the best possible start in life.
