Track the first-year milestones that actually matter for a well-adjusted dog — socialisation windows, command acquisition, fear periods, and health checkpoints. Print one copy per puppy and fill it in as you go.
Puppy Milestone Tracker
First-year milestones for a well-adjusted dog — tick off each as it happens
SOCIALISATION WINDOW (3–12 weeks) — most critical period
| Age | Milestone | Done? | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 wk | Handled by multiple people (at breeder) | |||
| 7–8 wk | Met at least 5 different people (ages/genders) | |||
| 7–8 wk | Heard 5+ different sounds (traffic, household appliances) | |||
| 7–8 wk | Walked on 3+ different surfaces (grass, tile, gravel) | |||
| 8–10 wk | Met a child (supervised, calm interaction) | |||
| 8–10 wk | Met another calm, vaccinated adult dog | |||
| 8–12 wk | Experienced a car ride | |||
| 8–12 wk | Saw bicycles, pushchairs, umbrellas, hats | |||
| 8–12 wk | First vet visit (positive, treat-based) | |||
| 8–12 wk | Handled for grooming (paws, ears, mouth) | |||
| 10–12 wk | Puppy class or structured socialisation sessions started |
FEAR PERIODS — watch for sudden sensitivity spikes
| Age | What to expect | Noted | Start date | Triggers observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8–11 wk | First fear period — puppy may startle at previously neutral things. Do not force exposure. Use food to create positive associations. | |||
| 6–14 mo | Secondary fear period (adolescence) — may appear suddenly fearful of familiar things. Same approach: no force, lots of positive association. |
COMMAND ACQUISITION — first 6 months
| Command | First response (date) | Reliable at home (date) | Reliable outside (date) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sit | ||||
| Down | ||||
| Stay / Wait | ||||
| Come (recall) | ||||
| Leave it | ||||
| Loose leash | ||||
| Name response | ||||
| ______ |
HEALTH & CARE MILESTONES
| Age | Milestone | Done? | Date | Notes / vet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6–8 wk | First vaccination (typically at breeder) | |||
| 10–12 wk | Second vaccination | |||
| 14–16 wk | Third vaccination + rabies (where required) | |||
| 12–16 wk | Microchipped | |||
| 4–6 mo | Teething completed (all adult teeth in) | |||
| 6 mo | Discuss spay/neuter timing with vet | |||
| 12 mo | Annual booster vaccinations |
Related resources: Use the daily training log alongside this tracker to record session-by-session progress on each command. See the training method quiz to get a recommended starting approach for your puppy’s age and situation.