Dog Breeds

Early behavioral development of the dog can be divided into four stages: the neonatal period, transitional period, socialization period, and juvenile period.

Neonatal Period (Birth to 14 days)
New born puppies are unable to see or hear, because their eyes are not open and their ears are not functioning yet. They are unable to regulate internal body temperature and so must depend on an outside source of warmth. Tactile stimulation by the mother is necessary for the stimulation of urination or defecation. The rooting reflex is triggered by maternal licking and is characterized by a “swimming” motion with the front legs at the bags legs push forward toward the warmth stimulus.
Needs To Do:
1.Prepared a bedding places and whelping box. The ideal place is a quiet corner without passing traffic, warmth and away from where the children play. Almost universally the basic bedding for a whelping box is newspaper, so start saving it up in advance.
2.No need supplementary feeding, just their dam’s milk, and should spend most of their time sleeping quietly. If they do not. Seek help urgently.
3.With a large litter it would be wise to make sure all the puppies get their share. Any puppies that do not get their share may be bottle fed successfully with a suitable bitch-milk substitute.


Transitional Period (14 to 21 days)
This is primarily due to maturation of the sensory organs and neurological system. This period is typically designated as beginning with the opening of the eyes at about 12 to 14 days, and ending about 1 week later when the ear canals open, and puppies show their first auditory “startle” response. Puppies begin to stand and walk, trying to get out of the nest box and show an interest in solid food.
Needs To Do:
1.Exposing puppies to normal household sounds, smells, and sights, daily handling, petting, and gentle brushing are all advantageous during this stage.
2.At three weeks of age the litter must have its first worming dose. Take advice on this. Modern wormers cause no side effects.
3.It is important to continue picking up the pups daily, admire them, talk to them, and spend a few minutes with each one individually. It may also be the time to start to supplement their diet. This is done by hand-feeding.


Socialization periods (3 to 12 weeks)
Primary socialization periods (3 to 5 weeks):
The primary socialization period is the most important period of social development for the young dog. The represents a time of very rapid behavioral change and specifically includes the development of species-specific social behaviors. These changes signify that the puppy is now capable of perceiving and reacting to its environment in the same manner as an adult dog.
A rapid increase in activity and the appearance of increasingly complex behaviors are seen in the early part of primary socialization. When puppies are between 3 and 5 weeks of age, exploratory behaviors increase dramatically. Puppies investigate the whelping area, and begin to play with each other and with their mother. Puppies are highly responsive to stimuli that are presented within their environment, to opportunities to form attachment to other puppies, humans, and other companion animals.
Needs To Do:
1.It is essential that the puppy remain with their litter and the mother.
2.A stable environment is crucial, radical changes in the environment must be avoided, for example do not move their whelping box.
3.A mild auditory stimuli is introduced, such as a radio playing quietly.

Secondary socialization periods (6 to 12 weeks):
This period is especially important for the development of a stable emotional temperament and affective tone. Many social and emotional deficits observed in adult dogs are believed to result from removing puppies too early from the mother and litter mates. By six weeks puppies should be completely weaned, although the dam may take some convincing of this, and may keep trying to feed the pups.
Needs To Do:
1.The puppies should be feeding on a puppy food of your choice. It also time for a second worming dose to be given.
2.The action of sucking by the puppies prolongs the production of milk by the dam, and after six weeks this should be discouraged.

Human Socialization (7 to 12 weeks):
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. Because puppies need to be with their litter mates during the first part of primary socialization and because socialization to human and to new places and situations is important during the latter half, placement in new homes is best accomplished when puppies are between 7 and 9 weeks of age.
Needs To Do:
1.Ideal time to capitalize on educating your puppy.
2.See another article “Bringing your puppy home”.

Fear imprint periods (8 to 10 weeks):
Puppies show the highest level of curiosity and lowest level of hesitancy or fear of new stimuli when they are between 3 and 5 weeks of age. After 5 weeks, they gradually begin to show some uncertainty of new people, object, and situation. This change reaches culmination at about 8 and 10 weeks of age, a period that is referred to as “fear imprint”. Puppies vary greatly in the degree to which they demonstrate uncertainty or decreased confidence. While some become quiet sensitive and even fearful toward new stimuli, others show little of these sign. Experiences a puppy perceives as traumatic during this time are generalized and may affect them all their life. Anything that frightens the puppy during this period will have a more lasting effect than if it occurred at any other periods.
Needs To Do:
1.Puppies are usually in their new home during fear imprint, care should be taken not to expose puppies to any traumatic event during this time period.
2.Keep training fun. Use short session, and keep all training positive. Gentle guidance and management are essential. Set your puppy to succeed.


Juvenile periods (4 to 12 months)
The juvenile period extend from the end of socialization period to sexual maturity. This is a period of refining existing capabilities and increasing coordination as the dog matures physically. Motors skills become more coordinated and adult-like, and attention span gradually increases. The dog’s permanent teeth begin to replace the deciduous teeth at about 4 to 5 month of age and are usually fully erupted by 6 month of age.
Sexually related behaviors develop with the onset of puberty. Female dogs become sexually mature between 6 and 16 month, depending on size and breed. Male dog generally reach sexual maturity when they are 10 to 12 months of age. Although dogs are reproductively mature by the time they are 1 year of age, social behaviors continue to develop and change until dogs are 18 months or older.

Flight instinct period (4 to 8 months):
This stage can last from a few days to several weeks and can occur anytime during this period. Puppy will be uncomfortable because adult teeth are growing in. Puppy may challenge you in attempt to resolve the question of leadership. Puppy may not come when called and may not play fetch even though they once did.
Needs To Do:
1.Be prepared with appropriate chew bones (large enough so that the pup will not choke) to help with your pup’s need to chew.
2.Use a long line in the park if your puppy is not coming when called.

Second fear period (6 to 12 months):
Many puppies will show a rise in their level of aggression (reactivity) during this time. They may become protective and territorial, and may make a new attempt to dominate owners. Puppy coat being replaced by adult coat and begins to mature sexually. Puppies may suddenly be apprehensive about new things or shy or timid of new people or situations.
Needs To Do:
1.Build confidence trough training.
2.If your puppy appears apprehensive, avoid confrontation.
3.Avoid any potentially overwhelming circumstances you cannot personally oversee, such as shipping your pup in the cargo by of an airplane.


Maturity (1 to 4 years)
“Maturity” refers to sexual maturity as opposed to being full-grown. Smaller dogs mature earlier, larger dogs later. If you were lax in periods earlier on, you may now see the things you have missed: object guarding, unfavorable reactions towards unfamiliar people, animals, or thing that your dog missed during the socialization stage.
Needs To Do:
1.Dog still needs to meet and greet people, go places with you, and continue to share your world and your experience.
2.You will know when your dog can be trusted by testing them for short periods (10-15 minutes) while you leave the house. If your dog is damaging property while loose, they are not ready.


Information gleaned from:
“How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With”, Claire Rutherford & David H. Neil
"It Takes a Pack to Raise a Puppy", article by Suzanne Clothier
“The Dog (Its Behavior, Nutrition & Health)”, Linda P. Case
“The Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training”, Steven R. Lindsay
“The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Dogs, Dog Breeds & Dog Care”, Dr. Peter Larkin