Devon & Freddie's Pups - 3 Weeks Old

Did You Know?... Life at Three Weeks Old

Week three is when everything suddenly comes to life. Eyes are open, ears are working, and those tiny legs are starting to carry them forward. For a Cockapoo litter, this week is especially special, that playful, curious, people loving nature that the breed is so well known for begins to show itself for the very first time. Here are some amazing facts about what's happening right now.

Did you know… they can hear for the first time?

This week the ear canals fully unseal, and sound rushes in all at once. Suddenly Devon's voice isn't just a vibration it's something the puppies can actually hear. I notice them startling at noises, tilting their tiny heads, and beginning to orient toward sound. It's one of the most wonderful things to watch.

Did you know… their eyesight is sharpening every day?

While the eyes cracked open last week, week three is when vision really begins to improve. The pups start to track movement, react to faces, and show the first signs of visual curiosity. For Cockapoos, a breed that thrives on human connection, this is a huge milestone. They are seeing properly for the very first time.

Did you know… they are starting to play?

The very earliest play behaviours emerge around week three. I see the pups pawing at each other, mouthing littermates, and attempting those first clumsy pounces. This isn't just fun it's critical social learning. Play teaches bite inhibition, communication, and how to interact with other dogs, skills they'll rely on for the rest of their lives.

Did you know… their first teeth are breaking through?

Those tiny needle sharp baby teeth begin pushing through the gums around week three. For Devon, this marks the very beginning of a new chapter the early stages of weaning. As feeding becomes more uncomfortable, I begin introducing a little softened puppy food alongside Devon's milk to help the transition along gently.

Did you know… they are beginning to regulate their own body temperature?

For the first two weeks, the pups couldn't shiver or generate their own warmth at all. By week three, that ability starts to develop, though they still need a warm, safe environment and the comfort of their littermates. I keep a close eye on the whelping area temperature as they make this transition, particularly for Cockapoos whose coats won't offer much insulation just yet.

Did you know… they can toilet on their own for the first time?

A huge milestone this week puppies begin to develop the reflex to eliminate without Devon's help.

Did you know… their Cockapoo personality is starting to shine?

Cockapoos are known for being sociable, affectionate, and tuned in to people and by week three, I can already see those traits flickering into life. Some pups are bold and inquisitive, others more gentle and snuggly. I love spending time just watching them at this age, because the individual characters that will define each puppy are starting to become unmistakable.

Did you know… their sense of smell is becoming even more powerful?

Already their strongest sense at birth, smell continues to develop rapidly through week three. Puppies begin to use scent in more intentional ways, investigating their environment, recognising familiar people, and exploring beyond the immediate warmth of Devon and their littermates. This is the beginning of genuine curiosity about the world.

Did you know… socialisation can begin in earnest this week?

Week three marks the opening of what behaviourists call the primary socialisation window, one of the most important periods in a dog's entire life. Gentle, positive exposure to sights, sounds, people, and handling during this window shapes how a puppy responds to the world as an adult. I take this responsibility seriously with every litter, and with Cockapoos — who are so people-focused — it's a joy as much as it is a duty.

Did you know… they are starting to vocalise in new ways?

The repertoire is growing. Alongside the newborn cries and whimpers, puppies this week begin producing new sounds, little woofs, yips, and even the very earliest attempts at a bark. For a Cockapoo, whose Poodle heritage brings intelligence and expressiveness, this vocal development is particularly fun to hear. Devon, as ever, responds to every single one.

Week three is the week these puppies stop being newborns and start becoming dogs. The transformation is rapid, remarkable, and an absolute privilege to witness. Devon is doing a brilliant job, and I couldn't be prouder of this little litter.