All Puppies Are Born Deaf and Cannot Hear at Birth

The developmental journey of a puppy is fascinating, and their hearing is one of the last senses to fully develop. At birth, puppies cannot hear anything because their ear canals are sealed shut. This is actually a protective mechanism that allows their delicate auditory systems to develop safely in the womb and during the vulnerable newborn period. Around two to three weeks of age, their ear canals begin to open, and they start responding to sounds. By the time they are about four weeks old, their hearing is nearly fully developed. This delayed hearing development explains why very young puppies rely so heavily on their sense of smell and touch to navigate their world and find their mother.