The Beautiful Stages of a Goldendoodle’s Early Life
Watch your puppy grow
Each stage of your puppy’s early life is a miracle in motion. From the tiniest newborn movements to confident little tail wags, so much growth is happening beneath the surface.
And one of the most important things for families to understand is this: when you bring your baby Goldendoodle home, development is still unfolding in incredible ways. Their bones are strengthening, their brains are wiring connections, their confidence is forming, and their personality is blossoming day by day.
Here’s what those early stages look like:
The Womb: Where Life First Begins
Before we ever hold them in our hands, they are already growing, forming, and becoming.
The puppy journey begins at conception — long before tiny paws ever touch the ground. For approximately 63 days, these precious little lives are carefully developing inside mama. Organs are forming. Heartbeats begin. Tiny spines and limbs take shape. Even their coat color is being determined during this time. It is quiet, unseen work — but it is powerful and purposeful.
This stage is one of the most sacred parts of what we do. We use ultrasound to confirm healthy development and monitor mama’s progress. Later, X-rays help us determine how many puppies to expect so we can prepare well and care for each one intentionally. These tools allow us to provide the safest, most attentive care possible for our Forever My Doodles. There is something incredibly special about seeing those first images — tiny heartbeats flickering on a screen — and knowing that healthy, thriving puppies are on their way. It fills our hearts with gratitude and anticipation for the journey ahead.
Before they are ever held, they are already loved.
Before they are ever seen, they are already becoming. And this is only the beginning.
1 Week Old
Puppies are born with no sense of sight or hearing. The first sense they develop is touch. During this period, it is crucial that puppies stay close with their mothers. Though they can’t see or hear, they very quickly learn to make noise! Puppies are vocal and squeak to communicate their needs. Newborn puppies will also double in size within a week.
2-4 Weeks Old
From 2 to 4 weeks, puppies become aware of and interact with their litter mates as well as their mother. Their eyes open during this time. The senses of hearing and smell are developing. They go from being super close to mom, to scoot-crawling, to wobble-walking during this time.
5-6 Weeks Old
At 5 weeks, a puppy’s senses are fully developed and they want to run, tackle, and play. During this time, their curiosity peeks, their fun noises and bark begins, and their tails are full indicators of happiness. Their little personality and waves are fully setting in. We love this time to train, play, and run with them.
7-8 Weeks Old
This is a great stage as puppies are learning so much!