Neonatal period (birth to 2 weeks)
Puppies are born with relatively undeveloped brains, few sensory capabilities and poor motor skills. They are functionally blind and deaf, but possess good taste and smell capabilities. Behavior during this stage is largely reflexive. If a puppy is touched* on the side of his face, his reflexive response is to turn and crawl in the direction of the touch. This reflex is very strong for the first couple of weeks causing the puppy to turn in the direction of his mother when she licks his face. By the end of the second week, the reflex is diminished or absent. Puppies are unable to urinate or defecate without external stimulation.

During the neonatal period, puppies should be with their mother and littermates, but research shows that brief, gentle handling by humans can have beneficial effects. Puppies that are briefly picked up and held for a few seconds at a time while being gently stroked have been shown to have higher tolerance to stressors later in life. Puppies that are handled are more active, more likely to explore their environment, and more social with humans. Handling activities must be done carefully, however, as puppies that are handled too much can actually become ill.

*Always clear with a veterinary professional before handling puppies during this stage.

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