Not jumping to assumptions, but it does make me wonder: They have an energy bar, is there anything they can do to help around until they grow up? Or are they just freeloaders that can play?
They are pretty much freeloaders until they are grown. You can equip them with Companions that yield xp like Basidio or Kuzma and they can gain levels that way if you play with the companions. But, sadly, no. They can't do much until grown except sit there and look pretty. xD
That is one of the longest waits on this game, waiting for those pups to grow up. But, don't worry, once they do and you start accumulating more and more wolves, things will be a lot easier to accomplish. Just takes a bit of agonizing patience to get there first. xD
(Also, didn't get the ping since apparently you pinged Wolfebeans. I don't know who that is or if it's a silly typo, but that's a freaking adorable name. xD)