Puppies are referred to as “neonates” during the first two weeks of life. They often sleep in a stacked heap and nurse frequently. Their eyes and ear canals are not opened. Mobility is limited as they are unable to do more than paddle with their legs and slide. Senses of smell and touch are more operational, which many scientists believe allow the puppies to maintain contact with their mother.
Outside stimuli often cause reflexive reactions because the immature nervous system lacks myelin, the fatty sheathing that insulates the nerves and helps transmit signals. Stimulation of the anal and genital regions, done by the mother or surrogate, is needed in order for the neonates to urinate and defecate.
Written by: Donna Chandler
Rather than the old-school handsoff theory, research now supports that limited handling of newborn puppies significantly accelerates their nervoussystem development. It also shows that these puppies become better problem solvers, more self-confident in competitive situations with other dogs, and more attracted to people.
Transitional Period
Major dramatic changes occur during the third and fourth weeks of age, called the transitional period. During this time, the puppy’s eyelids and ear canals open and the puppy now experiences many sounds and light variations.
At first, the puppy’s vision is blurry because the optic nerve (the carrier of signals from the eyes to the brain) does not become fully developed until the fourth week of age. By the end of the transitional period puppies can stand, walk, and waddle together as a pack with littermates; play biting and socialization has begun. Earning a dog’s trust starts in the transitional period.
Early Socialization
“Faster than a speeding bullet” best describes a puppy’s sensory and motor abilities during the early socialization period, which occurs between the third and fourteenth weeks. Behaviors expand accordingly during this period. Puppies learn to run, as well as communicate vocally and with body postures. They gain control over their limbs, bowels, and bladders; they also begin to leave the crate/den to eliminate.
Your puppy will also begin to show more interest in littermates than mom. Playing is critical in a puppy’s development and during this period they learn bite inhibition with littermates, as well as chasing, stalking, and wrestling, how to say, “I’m sorry,” and what does not offend others.
During socialization, puppies learn which behaviors are acceptable and how to get what they want, ideally from their mothers. However, when they are taken away from their mothers and littermates before they learn the rules, the new puppy owners have to teach bite inhibition. Studies have shown that many puppies deprived of human contact during the socialization period tend to withdraw from people when they mature. On the flip side, some puppies that lack human contact are so insecure they become very attached to their humans and experience separation anxiety when left alone. Whenever a breeder, pet store owner or staff, or new puppy owner is interacting with the puppy or puppies, they should always be training and teaching trust. Every touch and experience with the puppy will increase with habitual behavior as the puppy ages – training, training, training!
4-6-8 Weeks of Age and Human Interaction and Teaching Trust. This also applies to newly acquired, older dogs/new rescue dogs.
Always enter the kennel quietly: This includes kennel workers, all employees, breeders, and new owners. Quietly open doors (including kennel doors), turn on lights, fill food and water bowls, etc. If you are the kennel person that the puppy first sees in the morning, have the puppy’s food ready immediately when you open the crate/ kennel door. Always finish with a treat when you give medicines. Finishing the “taking medications” process with a treat teaches the puppy that something good comes from taking the medicine/pill. This is the beginning of teaching the puppy to trust humans. Teaching the puppy to associate all good things comes from humans is huge in earning the trust of any puppy – and really any animal.
The puppy should be handled by humans at least several times a day, more if time permits. Don’t interrupt the puppy when it is nursing or right after nursing as the puppy usually takes a nap.
When the puppy is awake or just waking, remove it from its crate to a quiet place and follow these steps:
Critical Fear Periods
Puppies begin to explore with vengeance between three and five weeks of age. After five weeks, they begin to demonstrate fear of the unfamiliar. The two most critical defined fear periods for dogs are:
Juvenile Period
The juvenile period lasts from seven to eighteen months (up to/until the dog reaches sexual maturity, which could be up to two years of age, depending on the breed). Whereas motor and social skills become more refined during the juvenile period, learning ability slows down. Training requires more time and a whole lot more patience. I tell my clients that a dog’s juvenile period is much like giving their 18-yearold son a Ferrari while telling him to go 30 mph; he knows the rules but has a hard time obeying them. Many behavioral changes that occur during the juvenile period are hormone-driven. Male dogs begin roaming, urine-marking and mounting anything handy; so unless the dog is going to be bred, having it neutered will cut down on these undesired behaviors. Female dogs with hormone (estrus) changes show relatively few hormone-related behavior changes.
Breeders and Pet Store Owners Guidelines for Prospective Customers
Always remember, it takes both a person’s heart and head to choose the right puppy. Your customers are not any different. However, they do not have your knowledge of how to choose a puppy that is perfect for their personality and/ or family. This is where your knowledge can play a big role in helping your customer make this choice. Prior to the customers meeting the puppy, talk with them about what they are looking for and their hobbies. Ask if someone in the household has allergies. Ask what they want to do with the puppy when it’s an adult. For example, does the family enjoy hiking, jogging, walking long distances, camping, or boating? If so, you might steer them away from choosing a Chihuahua. That said, I have seen people choose a toy breed which they can put them in a pouch and continue on their hike. Listen to your customer, but let your knowledge guide you. Also remember that nothing here is written in stone. Puppies that might be shy at the store or breeder’s house turn out to be outgoing and friendly when they become a part of a loving family. Active pups frequently settle down after being in their new home for a while. Training, socialization, and teaching trust are the keys to having the perfect lifelong canine companion.
Donna Chandler, Author, Canine Trainer, Behavior Specialist, Service Dogs (PTSD, Diabetic, Seizure & School Dogs)
CEs AAVSB/R.A.C.E.
Office: 317-769-4649
Cell: 317-403-1125
Training with stimulation has become much more accepted today than it was in prior times. There are still holdouts that say “No way am I going to shock my dog. I love him and do not want to hurt him.”
However, a much larger percentage of dog owners and trainers recognize the huge advantage of incorporating the use of a low-level stimulation e-collar into their training program, IF THE E-COLLAR IS USED CORRECTLY!
Nationally recognized as one of today’s top professionals, George Hickox has owned and campaigned numerous field champions and Dog
of the Year.
When it comes to dog training, the well-worn phrase “Timing is everything” is especially true. If two dogs were DNA clones, had identical environmental exposures, and were trained by two separate owners who taught with the same training program, one of the dogs would most likely be better than the other. The reason would be based on th
