Photo courtesy of Tom Schaefges and Harriet Weatherford
A puppy's basic needs are food, warmth, and maternal care
While puppies grow rapidly during the neonatal period, their behavior patterns do not change much at all during these first two weeks. The puppies are at a relatively early stage of neurological development. The neonatal behaviors observed during this period comprise a set of behavior patterns that help the puppy adapt to its new environment and focus on filling the most basic needs—food, warmth, and maternal care. Most of these behaviors will gradually fade with maturation of the nervous system.