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Developmental Stages Of Puppy Behavior
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Although feeding time is important, it’s also
vital to include petting, talking and playing, in order to help your puppy
build good "people-skills." Well-socialized mothers are more likely to have
well-socialized puppies. Puppies "feed" off of their mothers’ alm or fearful
attitude toward people.
Puppies are usually weaned at six or seven
weeks, but are still learning important skills as their mother gradually leaves
them more and more. Ideally, puppies should stay with their littermates (or
other role-model dogs) for at least 12 weeks.
Puppies separated from their littermates too
early often don’t develop appropriate "social skills," such as learning how to
send and receive signals, what an "inhibited bite" means, how far to go in play
wrestling and so forth. Play is important to help puppies increase their
physical coordination, social skills and learning limits. Interacting with their
mother and littermates helps them learn "how to be a dog" and is also a way to
explore ranking ("who’s in charge").
Skills not acquired during the first eight
weeks may be lost forever. While these stages are important and fairly
consistent, a dog’s mind remains receptive to new experiences and lessons well
beyond puppy-hood. Most dogs are still puppies, in mind and body, through the
first two years.
The following chart provides general
guidelines for the stages of development.
0 - 2 weeks = Neonatal
Most influenced by their mother.
Touch and taste present at birth.
2 - 4 weeks = Transitional
Most influenced by their mother and
littermates.
Eyes open, teeth erupt, hearing and smell
developing.
Beginning to stand, walk a little, wag,
bark.
By four or five weeks, sight is
well-developed.
During this period, puppies need opportunities to
meet other dogs and people.
By four to six weeks they’re most
influenced by their littermates and are learning about being a dog.
From four to 12 weeks they’re most
influenced by their littermates and people. They’re also learning to play,
including social skills, inhibited bite, social structure/ranking and physical
coordination.
By three to five weeks they’re
becoming aware of their surroundings, companions (dogs and people) and
relationships, including play.
By five to seven weeks they’re
developing curiosity and exploring new experiences. They need positive "people"
experiences during this time.
By seven to nine weeks they’re refining
they’re physical skills/coordination (including housetraining) and full use of
senses.
By eight to ten weeks they experience
real fear -- when puppies can be alarmed by normal objects and experiences and
need positive training.
By nine to 12 weeks they’re refining
reactions, social skills (appropriate interactions) with littermates and are
exploring the environment, spaces and objects. Beginning to focus on people.
This is a good time to begin training.
3 - 6 months = Ranking
Most influenced by "littermates" (playmates now include
those of other species). Beginning to see and use ranking (dominant and
submissive) within the pack, including humans. Teething and chewing. At four
months they experience another fear stage.
6 - 18 months = Adolescence
Most influenced by human and dog "pack" members.
At seven to nine months they go through a second chewing
phase -- part of exploring territory. Heightened exploration of dominance,
including challenging humans.
If not spayed or neutered, beginnings of sexual behavior.
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