PUP DEVELOPMENT
This guide establishes some basic guidelines for playing pup characters. To help frame puppies’ emotional and linguistic development in terms that are easier for players for understand, we’ve matched up puppy ages with some human equivalents. Please use these guidelines when playing your pup characters!
NEWBORN
Appearance and milestones:
Essentially, the newborn pups look like potatos. Basic markings are distinguishable, however, their eyes won’t open until two weeks of age.
Behavior and speech:
Can do little more than wriggle, nurse, and sleep. Communicate via small noises (grunts, whimpers).
2 WEEKS OLD
Appearance and milestones:
The pup's eyes open, and their milk teeth begin to develop and push through their gums. They finally begin to crawl, and soon become able to toddle around the den.
Behavior and speech:
Evolve from grunts/whimpers to “baby babble,” the beginnings of speech (human child equivalent 0-1 years of age). Incoherent, repeated syllables.
1 MONTH OLD
Appearance and milestones:
The pups begin to walk and talk. They also begin to wean (eating regurgitated meat). Eyes may begin to change at this age.
Behavior and speech:
Human child equivalent 1-2 years of age. Short syllables begin to evolve into toddler speak, with short sentences being used to communicate wants.
2 MONTHS
Appearance and milestones:
The pups leave the den for the first time, of course, with close oversight from a parent. They can run and play, but are generally clumsy.
Behavior and speech:
Human child equivalent 2-4 years of age. Possess a small vocabulary learned from their parents, and speak in simple sentences.
3 MONTHS OLD
Appearance and milestones:
The pups begin to take on a slightly more adult appearance as ears unfold and turn upright. They may begin to play at dominance and hunting under adult supervision.
Behavior and speech:
Human child equivalent 4-6 years of age. Vocabularies increase, but ideas communicated are rudimentary and centered around wants, or simple questions about the world.
4 MONTHS
Appearance and milestones:
Their adult teeth start to develop. With that being said, the pups begin hunting small prey on their own, and require less constant supervision.
Behavior and speech:
Human child equivalent 6-9 years of age. More complex thoughts and ideas.
5 MONTHS
Appearance and milestones:
The pups begin to accompany adults to observe hunts, but are still heavily protected. They also begin to grow rapidly as their bodies catch up to their paws and ears.
Behavior and speech:Human child equivalent 6-9 years of age. More complex thoughts and ideas.
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