PUPPY SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
"A good beginning makes a good ending" - English proverb
Photo courtesy of Puppy Prodigies
Stages of Development from birth to 4 years
For more information about early puppy development, socialization & training and what amazing things are possible even at the earliest stages of development please visit Puppy Prodigies; Neonatal & Early Learning Program; "Building the foundation for future teamwork, because learning begins the moment a puppy is born." - Puppy Prodigies
For more information about early puppy development, socialization & training and what amazing things are possible even at the earliest stages of development please visit Puppy Prodigies; Neonatal & Early Learning Program; "Building the foundation for future teamwork, because learning begins the moment a puppy is born." - Puppy Prodigies
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NEONATAL (birth - 12 days)
Learning & Development - Learning begins. Puppy can't see at all & doesn't hear well. Mostly immobile, stays very close to mother and litter mates. For more information about what amazing things are possible even at this early stage please see video & visit Puppy Prodigies What You Should Be Doing - Breeder provides warm environment. Early Stress is beneficial. A good breeder handles the pups regularly and gently. This enables the dog to cope with stress more easily later in life. Puppy's rate of mental development will quickly depend on how complex their environment is. You have approximately 12 weeks to find a well run Puppy Class. Classes will fill quickly, so it is prudent to have your enrollment reserved in advance. (See our list of recommended trainers. Suggested Veterinary Care - Breeder has puppies checked by vet at 1 -2 days old to rule out birth defects. |
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TRANSITION PERIOD (13 - 20 days)
Learning & Development - Eyes open, puppy can hear, begins to walk in a wobbly fashion. By the ends of this period the puppy starts to eliminate spontaneously (without the mother licking). The puppy starts to take in solid food. The mother may regulate food to the pup. What You Should Be Doing - A good breeder provides a complex environment. This helps develop the puppy's perceptual and learning abilities. Examples; a variety of different noises, surfaces to walk on, different people to meet and unique toys to play with. Visitors should remove shoes and wash hands thoroughly before handling the puppies. Suggested Veterinary Care - Usually none if the puppy is healthy. PRIMARY SOCIALIZATION PERIOD - (3-7 weeks) Learning & Development -The sense of vision begins to develop; adult vision is reached at about 8 weeks of age. Puppy is able to use senses of sight and hearing. The puppy begins to learn from good experiences (i.e. with positive reinforcement). What You Should Be Doing - Responsible Breeder Checklist: It is essential that the puppy remain with his mother and litter at the breeders location. A complex, stimulating environment is essential to help develop the puppy's perceptual and learning abilities. Clear distinction between sleep and play area should be made. This ensures the puppy can leave his living area to eliminate. Each litter mate should have one-on-one contact with humans. Occasionally isolate puppies to prepare them for separation. This is an excellent time to employ the use of a crate. A puppy who has begun crate training at the breeder will have an easier transition when they move to their new home. The breeder ensures the experience is a positive one. Exposure to a variety of noises and different floor surfaces is also important. Suggested Veterinary Care - Usually none if the puppy is healthy. Discuss appropriate vaccine program with vet. Check with vet to see if stool sample is required. Research puppy food and nutrition. Start reading up on handling exercises. 1st VISIT; Socialize puppy with vet clinic staff. Use yummy treats! Do handling exercises with pup (ears, mouth, paws and body). Make sure the last thing that happens before you leave the clinic is fun for the puppy! With regular trips to the vet just for fun, you reduce the possibility of your adult dog developing an aversion to the clinic.
HUMAN SOCIALIZATION PERIOD - (7 weeks - somewhere between 12 & 14 weeks, 3 mos.)
Learning & Development - Puppy should be completely weaned from mother. This is the age when most rapid learning occurs. Greatest impact on future social behavior will be made by any experience that happens at this point. THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IS CLOSING. Don't miss this VERY IMPORTANT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY for your puppy. ALTHOUGH PUPPIES MAY STILL BENEFIT FROM CONTINUED SOCIALIZATION IT IS NEVER AS EFFECTIVE AFTER 14 WEEKS OF AGE. What You Should Be Doing - Usually a puppy goes to the new home after 8 weeks of age. ABSOLUTE critical period in which puppy should be socialized - maximize this time! Enroll in a good puppy class. Ideal time to capitalize on educating your puppy! Take into account puppy's physical limitations and short attention span. Typically, puppies can begin attending class after their second set of vaccines, some time around 12 weeks of age. |
Can Puppies or Kittens be Therapy Pets? |
Suggested Veterinary Care - Incorporate treats throughout the visit. Ensure socializing and handling exercises get done with staff. Ask vet to show you how to clip your pups's nails Discuss your puppy's dental care. The last thing you do prior to leaving clinic should be FUN for the pup (use treats & toys).
A Letter on Puppy Socialization from Dr. R.K. Anderson, DVM, Diplomat, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and Diplomat of American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
A Letter on Puppy Socialization from Dr. R.K. Anderson, DVM, Diplomat, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and Diplomat of American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
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FEAR IMPACT PERIOD - (8 - 11 weeks)
Learning & Development - This falls within the Human Socialization Period. This is when puppies start to learn from bad experiences, i.e. they remember bad things that happen to them. Anything that frightens the puppy during this period could have a more lasting effect than if it occurred at any other time. This is also a time when puppies are particularly easily frightened. What You Should Be Doing - Trips to the vet need to be as pleasant as possible (take treats there just for fun!) Vet staff can give the puppy a treat. Use fun short sessions, and be positive because of "fear impact". This kind of mind set will enable you to be successful, as you continue to socialize your puppy. Suggested Veterinary Care - Usually none if puppy is healthy. Drop by the clinic with your puppy just for fun! Don't forget treats and toys! While you area at the clinic, don't forget to do handling exercises. concentrate on weak spots (hind legs often get forgotten). WEEK 14 - THE TIME TO EASILY SOCIALIZE YOUR PUPPY IS COMING TO A CLOSE! JUVENILE PERIOD - 14 Weeks/3-4 mos. - Occurs between Socialization Period & Puberty Learning & Development - Puppy has been in the home for approximately 4 weeks. Pups will attempt to clarify and resolve their boundaries. Most of height growth occurs during this period and ends by puberty. Puppy begins to mature sexually: male begins to lift leg, and female has first heat period, usually between 6 to 12 months. Some dogs may be earlier, some later. Puppy coat begins to be replaced by more distinctive adult coat. Timing depends on breed. He will be uncomfortable because his adult teeth are growing in.
What You Should Be Doing - So long as you provide structure and healthy management of your puppy's time, this transition should be relatively painless. Puppy should be attending a socialization class by now! IF THESE THINGS HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED FOR, ALL HECK IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE!
Suggested Veterinary Care -Discuss rabies vaccine with your vet. Check with vet to see if a stool sample is required. Discuss heartworm prevention program with your vet. ADOLESCENT PERIOD - Starts with Puberty and ends with Social maturity (1 year) Learning & Development - A PUPPY WILL TEST HIS WINGS. He may test to see if all the rules are still the same. He may not come when called. He may not play fetch even though he once did. Your consistency and predictability are essential right now. What You Should Be Doing - IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS STAGE THAT PREVENTION OVER CURE IS ADVOCATED -YOU MUST START TRAINING AND SOCIALIZING YOUR PUPPY BEFORE NOW! When you notice a change in your dog during this time, he is probably going through adolescence. Like a teenager going through puberty, your puppy is changing physiologically. Your awareness of these changes in behavior will help you get through this commonly difficult period. This is the time when obedience schools get most of their calls. |
PUPPY CLASSES!
COLUMBUS
Using gentle and effective training methods, Posidog offers the best possible opportunities in central Ohio for puppy Socialization, Manners, Confidence Building, Problem Prevention and more via fun agility; exposure to surfaces and household items; focus and attention exercises, and much more!
Extended class times and plenty of trainers: 90 minute Puppy classroom sessions allow for more information, practice, questions, and fun. Student to trainer ratio of 3:1 allows semi-private coaching in a larger group class. Flexible scheduling:. Start right away, and transfer to another available class time mid-series if need be. Click HERE to register for a Posidog puppy class that fits your time schedule!
Reynoldsburg!
also excellent puppy classes!!! 
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PUPPIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SOCIALIZED AND WORKED WITH TAKE A DIFFERENT PATH IN LIFE THAN PUPS THAT HAVE. Your puppy will still go through this period regardless of your good early work - be aware of this change and ride it out. Be prepared with appropriate chew bones (large enough so that the pup will not choke) to help with your pup's need to chew. Use a long line in the park if your pup is not coming when called.
Suggested Veterinary Care - Discuss spaying or neutering with your vet - book an appointment! Consider micro-chipping your dog. Check with vet to see if stool sample is required.
2ND FEAR IMPACT PERIOD - Can occur before puberty but may occur between 5 & 12 months - lasts approximately 3 weeks
Learning & Development - May suddenly be apprehensive about new things or shy or timid of new people or situations.
What You Should Be Doing - If you puppy appears apprehensive, avoid confrontation. Building confidence through training is a worthwhile effort. Avoid any potentially overwhelming circumstances you can not personally oversee, such as shipping your pup in the cargo bay on an airplane.
Suggested Veterinary Care - Drop by your vet clinic for handling exercises (ears, mouth, paws and body) and just for some fun. Your puppy should be comfortable going into the vet clinic.
MATURITY (1 to 4 years)
Learning & Development - Refers to social maturity. Smaller dogs mature earlier, larger dogs later. If you were lax in your work earlier on, you may now see things you have missed: object guarding, unfavorable reactions towards unfamiliar people, animals, or things that your dog missed during socialization stage.
What You Should Be Doing - Until this period has been reached, it is recommended that your pup remains crated or the equivalent (structure) when you are not available to supervise his behavior. You will know when your dog is trustworthy by testing him for short periods (10 to 15) minutes while you leave the house. If your dog is damaging property while loose, he is not ready.
Suggested Veterinary Care - Return for yearly check up. Check with your vet clinic to see if a stool sample is required. Possible x-ray for hip dysplasia.
reprinted from the Ultimate Puppy Took Kit http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Puppy-Toolkit-Step-Step/dp/0973159103
For more information about early puppy development and what amazing things are possible please visit Puppy Prodigies at http://puppyprodigies.com/
Suggested Veterinary Care - Discuss spaying or neutering with your vet - book an appointment! Consider micro-chipping your dog. Check with vet to see if stool sample is required.
2ND FEAR IMPACT PERIOD - Can occur before puberty but may occur between 5 & 12 months - lasts approximately 3 weeks
Learning & Development - May suddenly be apprehensive about new things or shy or timid of new people or situations.
What You Should Be Doing - If you puppy appears apprehensive, avoid confrontation. Building confidence through training is a worthwhile effort. Avoid any potentially overwhelming circumstances you can not personally oversee, such as shipping your pup in the cargo bay on an airplane.
Suggested Veterinary Care - Drop by your vet clinic for handling exercises (ears, mouth, paws and body) and just for some fun. Your puppy should be comfortable going into the vet clinic.
MATURITY (1 to 4 years)
Learning & Development - Refers to social maturity. Smaller dogs mature earlier, larger dogs later. If you were lax in your work earlier on, you may now see things you have missed: object guarding, unfavorable reactions towards unfamiliar people, animals, or things that your dog missed during socialization stage.
What You Should Be Doing - Until this period has been reached, it is recommended that your pup remains crated or the equivalent (structure) when you are not available to supervise his behavior. You will know when your dog is trustworthy by testing him for short periods (10 to 15) minutes while you leave the house. If your dog is damaging property while loose, he is not ready.
Suggested Veterinary Care - Return for yearly check up. Check with your vet clinic to see if a stool sample is required. Possible x-ray for hip dysplasia.
reprinted from the Ultimate Puppy Took Kit http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Puppy-Toolkit-Step-Step/dp/0973159103
For more information about early puppy development and what amazing things are possible please visit Puppy Prodigies at http://puppyprodigies.com/
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"Before You Get Your Puppy"
by Dr. Ian Dunbar |
"After You Get Your Puppy"
by Dr. Ian Dunbar |
Free Downloads! "Before You Get Your Puppy" by Dr. Ian Dunbar 
"After You Get Your Puppy"
by Dr. Ian Dunbar
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Please see our list of recommended trainers ASAP to give your puppy the best opportunity to enjoy a confident, happy life.
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Links to our Important Dog Training Web Pages
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