Puppy milestones,
month by month.

Socialization window is still wide open

This is one of the most important stretches for calm, positive exposure to new people, sounds, surfaces, and (carefully chosen) other dogs. Keep experiences short and end them before the puppy gets overwhelmed.

Vaccine timing is a vet decision, not a fixed rule

How much public exposure is safe at this stage depends on your puppy’s individual vaccination progress. Ask your vet what is appropriate for outings before your puppy has full protection, rather than following a generic timeline.

House-training and crate introduction begin now

A consistent bathroom schedule and a crate introduced as a calm, positive space (never a punishment) both start paying off fastest when you begin in this window.

Teething begins

Baby teeth start loosening and falling out, which means more chewing on everything in reach. Plenty of appropriate chew items and gentle redirection work better than scolding, which does not teach a young puppy what to chew instead.

Socialization continues, don’t let it drop off

Keep introducing new, positive experiences at a comfortable pace. Puppies that get most of their socialization crammed into the first few weeks and then very little afterward often lose ground.

Basic cues are achievable

Sit, stay briefly, come when called at short distances, and loose-leash walking basics are all realistic training goals now, taught with reward-based methods and short, upbeat sessions.

Fear periods are a real, documented general concept

Many puppies go through a stretch where something ordinary suddenly seems frightening. This is normal and typically passes; the useful response is patience and letting the puppy retreat or investigate at their own pace, not forcing them toward whatever startled them.

Independence increases

You may notice a puppy who used to check in constantly start testing boundaries and ignoring cues they clearly already know. This is a normal part of growing up, not a sign that training failed.

Permanent teeth come in

Adult teeth are replacing baby teeth through this stretch, so heavier chewing is still expected. Keep chew options available and rotate them to keep interest up.

Consistency matters more, not less

Adolescence is when clear, consistent rules and continued reward-based practice pay off. Now is not the time to relax structure just because the "cute puppy" phase feels like it is ending.

Energy and distractibility both climb

Many dogs in this stretch have more physical energy than they know what to do with, and outside distractions can pull focus away from you far more easily than they did a few months earlier.

Occasional regression is normal, not a setback you caused

A dog that "forgets" a cue they used to know solidly is a common adolescent pattern, not a sign that earlier training was wrong. Go back to reinforcing the basics in easier settings before adding distractions again.

Sexual maturity varies by breed and size

When a dog reaches sexual maturity differs quite a bit by breed and adult size, and it can come with temporary behavior changes. Talk to your vet about timing and options specific to your dog.

Adult temperament starts to settle

Most dogs begin to show a more consistent, adult version of their personality around this point, though plenty of adolescent energy can still be present for a while yet.

Large breeds mature more slowly

Bigger dogs are often still physically and behaviorally maturing well past their first birthday, sometimes up to 2-3 years old. Patience with a large-breed "puppy" who still acts young at 18 months is normal, not a training failure.