3-Week-Old Dachshund Puppies

When our breeder from Hillhaven Dachshunds first began sending us photos of Harvey at three weeks old, Caitlin and I couldn’t believe how much he had changed in such a short time. His eyes had only just opened, blinking curiously at the world for the first time, and his ears twitched at every new sound in the whelping box. What struck us most was how fragile yet determined he looked  wobbly on his tiny legs but already trying to explore his surroundings.

At three weeks, dachshund puppies are in what experts call the “transitional period” of development. According to PetMD, this stage (between 2–4 weeks) is critical because their senses of sight and hearing begin functioning, their baby teeth start erupting, and they begin to engage socially with their littermates. For dachshunds  a breed known for boldness and curiosity these early days set the stage for lifelong temperament and energy levels.

This is also the point where breeders and owners can start gently shaping their future personality. While they are still completely dependent on their mother’s milk, short periods of human handling, soft surfaces, and early exposure to normal household sounds can have a lasting impact on their confidence. Seeing Harvey at this age reminded us how every milestone, no matter how small, feels enormous when you’re watching a dachshund puppy grow. Its such a special and exciting time. If you are reading this and also still in the stage of tossing up what name you are going to choose for your dachshund make sure you head over to our article on puppy names for dachshunds for the best curation of names on the web.

By the time a dachshund puppy reaches three weeks of age, the most dramatic shift is happening: they are no longer blind, deaf, and helpless. Instead, they’re entering a world where sight, sound, and smell begin guiding their every movement.

At around 14–21 days, a puppy’s eyelids part, revealing hazy, bluish-grey eyes. At this stage, Harvey’s breeder at Hillhaven Dachshunds told us his gaze was still unfocused more like staring into light than clearly identifying objects. According to the American Kennel Club, puppies don’t reach full visual clarity until 7–8 weeks. But those first blinks at shadows, shapes, and faces mark a huge milestone.

For dachshunds a breed if you look back at their history, were originally bred to hunt badgers and rabbits sharp eyesight will eventually become one of their strongest tools. Seeing their eyes open at three weeks gives a hint of the curious explorers they’ll grow into.

Around the same time, ear canals open, and sound begins to enter the picture. Harvey’s early videos often showed him cocking his head at the sound of the breeder’s voice. Puppies startle easily at this stage — sudden noises can be overwhelming. Gentle introductions to household sounds (like the hum of a washing machine or soft music) can help them grow into confident adult dogs instead of skittish ones.

Mobility at three weeks is clumsy but exciting. Puppies graduate from crawling to making short, wobbly attempts at walking. Harvey would stumble, topple sideways, and then clamber back up — determination written all over his tiny body. This is when breeders begin adding soft, textured mats to the whelping area so puppies can practice balance without slipping.

It’s important to note that dachshunds’ long backs and short legs make balance a unique challenge. Supporting their tiny spines from the very beginning by giving them safe footing and avoiding slippery surfaces helps prevent future orthopedic issues.

By the third week, deciduous (baby) teeth start pushing through. While still reliant on mother’s milk, these sharp little nubs signal that weaning is just around the corner. By four to five weeks, breeders will begin introducing soft, moistened puppy food to help the transition.

This is also when you might notice puppies mouthing littermates more frequently. What looks like harmless play-biting is actually a vital step in developing bite inhibition and social boundaries.

Perhaps the most heartwarming milestone at this age is the social spark. Three-week-old dachshunds begin wagging their tails, licking littermates, and snuggling close in ways that look remarkably intentional. They are discovering play — a rehearsal for all the chasing, tugging, and digging instincts that define the breed.

Early gentle human interaction is also encouraged. The RSPCA recommends short, calm handling sessions to familiarise puppies with human touch. Stroking their paws, ears, and bellies helps prepare them for future grooming, vet visits, and handling as adults.

When Harvey’s breeder at Hillhaven Dachshunds sent us photos of him at three weeks old, we noticed something striking: although his little teeth had just begun pressing through his gums, he was still firmly attached to his mother during feeding. At this stage, dachshund puppies are almost entirely reliant on their dam’s milk, which provides the perfect balance of antibodies, fat, and protein to sustain rapid growth.

According to the American Kennel Club, puppies should remain on mother’s milk (or a vet-approved canine milk replacer if the dam is unavailable) until at least 4 weeks old. The milk not only delivers nutrients but also kickstarts the development of their immune system. For a breed like dachshunds, whose tiny frames grow quickly yet carry the genetic risk of back issues, this strong nutritional foundation is essential.

At three weeks, their digestive systems are not yet ready for solid foods. While their teeth are beginning to erupt, their stomach lining and enzymes are still geared toward milk digestion. Feeding solids too early can upset their system, causing diarrhea, bloating, or even stunted growth.

This period is best thought of as “building the engine before putting fuel in the tank.” The milk creates the physical and metabolic readiness for the weaning transition that usually begins around week four.

For owners eager to plan ahead, resources like our Dachshund Puppy Diet guide provide insights into what’s coming in the next stage  but for now, milk is the only item on the menu.

By the third week, breeders often begin observing subtle cues that signal a puppy is getting ready for the next stage. Harvey’s breeder mentioned how his little teeth made nursing slightly uncomfortable for his dam a natural trigger that often encourages puppies to start exploring other food options.

Common early weaning signs include:

• Puppies biting at their mother during feeding. 
• Licking or mouthing soft food if placed near them. 
• Spending shorter amounts of time nursing. 
• Beginning to lap water when offered in shallow dishes. 

It’s important to note that while these behaviours may appear at three weeks, they don’t mean puppies are ready to fully transition. Breeders typically wait until four to five weeks to introduce gruel (a mix of warm water or puppy formula blended with a high-quality puppy kibble).

For a clear step-by-step guide once puppies are ready, check our resource on How Much to Feed a Dachshund Puppy.

1. Allow Unrestricted Nursing: Puppies should remain with their dam, feeding on demand. Interrupting or separating too early can stunt development.
   
   
2. Monitor Weight Daily: A healthy 3-week-old dachshund puppy should steadily gain weight. If one pup lags, consult a vet about supplementation with puppy formula.
   
   
3. Support the Dam’s Nutrition: The mother’s food intake directly affects her milk quality. Breeders typically feed high-calorie puppy food to nursing mothers.
   
   
4. Avoid Solids Until Ready: Resist the urge to start kibble or soft food before the fourth week. The digestive tract simply isn’t ready.
   
   
5. Early Exposure to Water: While milk remains primary, some breeders introduce shallow water dishes at this age to encourage curiosity.

By week four, dachshund puppies begin the gradual shift from milk to puppy gruel. That transition requires careful portioning and timing something we explore more deeply in our Miniature Dachshund Food Calculator resource.

For now, though, the role of a breeder or owner is to ensure that puppies like Harvey remain close to their dam, are gaining weight steadily, and are gently prepared for the next stage of feeding.

At around three weeks of age, dachshund puppies experience what many breeders call the “social spark”. It’s the moment they begin to recognise the world not just through senses, but through connection  with their littermates, their dam, and eventually, with humans.

Puppies at three weeks start to engage in play-fighting with littermates. What looks like harmless nibbling and tumbling is actually practice for crucial skills:

• Bite inhibition – learning how hard is too hard when using their teeth.
  
  
• Social hierarchy – testing roles within the litter without serious conflict.
  
  
• Motor skills – refining balance, coordination, and reflexes.
  
  

According to the RSPCA, supervised play is one of the safest ways for puppies to explore new behaviours while still feeling secure. For dachshunds — a breed with strong prey instincts — these early games of chase, nip, and pounce are rehearsals for the energetic dogs they’ll become.

While play within the litter dominates at this stage, breeders begin short sessions of human handling. Stroking paws, ears, and bellies helps prepare puppies for grooming and future vet visits. Puppies also start recognising familiar scents and voices, which means your gentle interactions now can positively shape their trust and temperament later.

You can learn more about how these early experiences shape personality in our guide to Dachshund Puppies Temperament.

• Allow plenty of littermate playtime — it teaches more than humans can at this stage.
  
  
• Introduce gentle household sounds: a kettle boiling, quiet TV, or soft music.
  
  
• Keep human handling calm and short — a few minutes at a time.
  
  
• Begin very light touch conditioning — gently stroke paws, ears, and bellies to prep for grooming later in life.
  
  
• Always prioritise a calm, safe environment — overstimulation can make puppies skittish.
  
  

By encouraging safe play and introducing human touch gradually, you help set up your dachshund puppy to grow into a confident, well-adjusted adult.

At three weeks old, dachshund puppies are still incredibly fragile. This is the stage where their immune systems, bones, and teeth are developing rapidly — but they remain fully dependent on their dam and careful breeder oversight.

When our breeder at Hillhaven Dachshunds sent us photos of Harvey at three weeks, she always emphasised how carefully she monitored his litter’s health. Daily weigh-ins, subtle behaviour checks, and early veterinary visits were all part of ensuring each puppy grew steadily and safely.

• First Vet Check: Many breeders schedule the first routine check-up between 3–4 weeks. At this appointment, the vet evaluates weight, reflexes, heart and lung health, and early development markers.
• Parasite Prevention: Roundworms and other intestinal parasites can pass from the dam to her puppies. Most breeders start a deworming protocol around 2–3 weeks old (as recommended by the American Kennel Club).
• Weight Monitoring: Consistent growth is the most important sign of health. A healthy puppy should steadily gain weight each day.
• Hydration & Nursing: Puppies should remain hydrated and nurse regularly. If the dam struggles with milk supply, breeders may supplement with a veterinarian-approved puppy formula.

• Low Weight Gain: If a puppy isn’t meeting expected growth milestones, it may require additional feeding support.
• Infections: Puppies are still vulnerable to bacterial or viral infections since their immune systems are not yet mature.
• Congenital Issues: Some early signs of heart murmurs, cleft palate, or limb weakness may be identified during this period.

• If you’re bringing home a dachshund later, ask your breeder for vet check records and deworming schedules.
  
  
• Always request weight charts — consistent daily growth is a strong indicator of early health.
  
  
• For more preparation tips, see our guide to 8-Week-Old Dachshund Puppies, where most owners meet their pups for the first time.
  
  
• If you’re curious about early diet planning, our Dachshund Puppy Diet article offers guidance on weaning and first foods.

By the end of the third week, dachshund puppies are right on the cusp of one of the biggest transitions in their young lives — moving from an all-milk diet to the early stages of weaning. While they are still completely reliant on their dam, their emerging teeth and growing curiosity make this the perfect time for breeders to begin planning the next stage of development.

When our breeder from Hillhaven Dachshunds first showed us photos of Harvey’s tiny teeth poking through, she explained that this was the signal to get ready for soft food introductions within a week or two. It was fascinating to see how nature prepared them: their clumsy play-biting and nibbling on littermates was the earliest sign of their readiness to explore solid textures.

• Baby teeth beginning to erupt (3–4 weeks).
   
• Puppies showing interest in mum’s food or licking food bowls.
   
• Longer time awake and alert between naps.
   
• Play-biting and mouthing littermates more frequently.
   

• Week 4: Breeders introduce a gruel made of high-quality puppy kibble soaked in warm water or puppy formula.
   
• Week 5: Puppies begin taking in more solids while still nursing.
   
• Week 6: Nursing decreases as solid intake increases. By the end of week 6, puppies are often eating multiple small meals daily.

For owners, this is the moment to begin learning how much to feed and what diet to choose. Our Dachshund Puppy Diet guide and Miniature Dachshund Food Calculator are excellent resources for planning portion sizes tailored to your puppy’s breed size.

• Ask your breeder what brand of food the puppies are weaned on — consistency avoids stomach upset.
  
  
• Begin reading about How Much to Feed a Dachshund Puppy before bringing your pup home.
  
  
• At 8 weeks, puppies are typically ready for new homes — see our full guide on 8-Week-Old Dachshund Puppies to know what to expect.
  

Explore the full Dachshund Puppies Content Cluster to guide every stage of your puppy’s journey:

• About Dachshund Puppies
• Mini Dachshund Puppies
• Long-Haired Dachshund Puppies
• Dapple Dachshund Puppies
• Dachshund Puppies Temperament
• How Much to Feed a Dachshund Puppy
• 8 Week Old Dachshund
• Dachshund Puppy Diet
• 3 Week Old Dachshund Puppies

This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian regarding your dog’s health and wellbeing.