Critical Periods in Canine Behavioral Development

 

 

I.       Birth – 20 days      (First 3 weeks)

S
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V
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V
A
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Puppy needs WARMTH, FOOD, MASSAGE, SLEEP, and MOTHER.  Responds by reflex, but benefits from careful handling.  Eyes, ears, and possibly sense of smell incompletely developed at birth.  By about 10 days, eyes open.  ENVIRONMENT has no effect as long as warmth and protection are provided.

 

 

 

 

II.      21 – 28 days                   (4th week)

 

Imprints on
Mother and Littermates
 

Puppy needs MOTHER most and should not be weaned or removed from mother.  Rapid development from 21st day on, pup can see quite well, hear, smell, taste, and feel.  Very responsive to environment.  Starts to learn, and benefits from gentle teaching of simple exercises.  SOCIALIZATION with adults and children should begin.

 

III.     29 – 49 days                   (5th – 7th weeks)

 

Mother teaches
discipline
 

Weaning begins, but needs MOTHER and LITTERMATES for normal psychological development.  Teaching and socialization should be intensified.  WHAT PUPPY LEARNS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, IT WILL NOT FORGET!

Dominance
begins to develop
 
 


By the 5th week the pups will leave the nest to eliminate if they have the opportunity.  This aspect and a regular feeding schedule will help toward early housetraining.

 

Puppy develops ability
to respond to
environment, and to
relate to its pack
Dogs and Human
 

During the period of the 3rd through 7th weeks, the puppies brain and nervous system are developing.  By the end of the 7th week, the puppy will have the capacity of an adult to learn (but not of course, the experience).

 

By the end of the 7th week, the pup should be separated from mother and littermates.  Ideal time for placing puppy in new home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV.     50 – 84 days                   (8th – 12th weeks)

FEAR IMPRINT
 
 


8th – 10th weeks:  Avoid any traumatic experiences, such as placement with new owner, shipping, ear cropping.  New experiences must be non-fear producing.

 

8th – 12th weeks:  Proper training and socialization should continue.  Socialization with other dogs are very important.

 

 

V.      85 – 112 days        (13th – 16th weeks)

 

FLIGHT INSTINCT begins to develop, and pup should be taught to come when called.  Depending on size of breed, flight instinct will reach its peak when pup is 4 – 8 months old.

 

DOMINANCE CHALLENGES begin, and dogs personality is fairly well set by the end of 16th week.

 

TRAINING AND SOCIALIZATION – WITH PEOPLE AND DOGS IS CRUCIAL

 

REFERENCES:

                The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior  C.J. Pfaffenberger

                Howell Book House

                Genetic and the Social Behavior of Dogs  Scott & Fuller

                Univ of Chicago Press