Walking and Other Later Movements
The initial movements a puppy makes are paddling-like, and they make little forward progress. Support of body weight on the forelimbs does not begin until 7 to 14 days of age. with heavier puppies taking longer . A puppy can move backward once it can hold its forelimbs under its body, even though weight support may not be possible yet. This ability to back away appears about day 12, although it may take up to 5 days later than that for surfaces that are not flat. Rear limb support begins at 14 or more days. and standing occurs by 21 days. Initially, walking is very unsteady, hut by 21 days, puppies are quite mobile and move well in a straight line.