This page is designed to give you some information to help you understand the developmental stages a puppy goes through. As a responsible breeder I follow these guidelines to give each and every puppy the best start in life. As a responsible pet owner it is up to you to make sure you continue with teachable moments and positive reinforments to help the puppy reach there fullest potential! You'll love the rewards to come!!
Neo-Natal Period (1-14 days): Newborn puppies are born helpless and completely dependent on their "Dam" Mom's, responding only to the warmth, touch and smell of their Mom. Puppies sleep 90% of the time only waking to suckle. Thier eyes and ears are closed during this stage. Too much stress at this stage has a negative effect on puppies, but research (Fox; Scott and Fuller) has shown that newborns can respond to thermal, tactile and motor stimulation. Mild forms of stress create many changes in newborns including changes in electrical activity in the brain, muscle tension, and changes in oxygen levels and breathing. When tested later as adults, the stressed dogs were better able to withstand stress than their non-stressed litter-mates. They responded to stress in a "graded" fashion, while the non-stressed puppies responded in an "all or nothing" way. There are 5 stimulation exercises each puppy goes through for 3-5 seconds each day starting at day 3 through day 16 of their lives.
1. Tickled between the toes with a Q-tip
2. Held perpendicular to the ground
3. Held head down
4. Held on its back in the palm of your hands
5. Lain on a cold damp towel
This information is taken from Another piece of the puzzle: Puppy Development by: Pat Hastings and Erin Ann Rouse
This book is a quick and easy read about puppy development and training. Although it is geared towards breeders I think new & experienced puppy owners would enjoy this information as well! You can purchase this book or one similar at Amazon for a reasonable price. I'm an avid reader and one of my passions is breeding and raising Miniature Schnauzers (can't you tell!!) You can also click the Interesting Facts page for more book references! You can never be too prepared for your puppy!! I tell people interested in adopting one of my puppies this....You wouldn't bring a newborn baby home from the hospital without any knowledge, right!! Read, read, read and look at the list of suggested supplies to have on hand as well on the interesting facts page.
Transitional Period(14-21 days): This period starts when the eyes are open and ends when the puppy first "startles" on hearing a noise. This week is characterized by the rapid development of motor skills, the ability to eliminate on its own, the onset of usable vision, the inital emerging of teeth, and the developement of hearing-first evidenced by the startle response. The puppies move around a lot more, backwards as well as forwards and will begin to walk instead of crawl, may start to lap liquids, and will begin to leave the nest to eliminate. They begin to show interest in their littermates. These are enormouse steps in the puppies life!
Toys and lots of other visual objects are added to the play area. The puppies are placed on a new surface for a short time once a day. The puppies will have more individual time with Mallory and myself as they need increased attention now!
Awareness or Identification Period(21-28 days): The puppies have use of all their senses and new need a stable environment and influence of a stable "Dam" mom. The exposure to sudden noises must happen now when fear has not yet developed. The startle response should be encouraged so the pup will startle and then return to normal on its own. Puppies must learn they are dogs (imprinting). They will begin play fighting. The "Dam" mom will begin to ween the pups as they are begin to eat food. She will do this by growling or baring her teeth when they try to nurse. The puppies will then back away. The is one of the most important lessons in life at this time-to accept discipline.
The puppies will have a structured schedule. Specific time for outdoor play and feeding times. The mom is with the puppies all of the time except for a few short breaks during the day for exercise and adult play. Music and other sounds/noises will be introduced to the puppies to enhance the startle response. Table time begins now for grooming. The puppies will be brushed daily and have their nails trimmed when needed.
Second Awareness / Identification Period(28-35 days): Play behavior becomes more sophisticated including growling, chasing, and "kill" games. Puppies need physical and mental challenges. Play helps to develop the strength, agility, coordination and skills to function as an adult. Puppies must develop the problem-solving ability and physical and mental skills to learn and excel at these adult activities. Each puppy should be separated from the litter for increasingly longer periods of time to teach the puppy independence, prevent separation anxiety problems later in life and will encourage bonding and acceptance of humans.
The puppies will have many different toys and miscellaneous items to move, chew on, climb on and carry, tug toys to share with littermates, etc. The puppies will begin to meet strangers and play with other dogs. Grooming is also continued.
Socialization Period(5-16 weeks): Socialization does two things to habituate the puppy. It reduces the number of things in the world that a puppy might be frightened of and it continually provides the experience of first being afraid and then recovering. "Bounce-Back" is one of the most valuable traits a puppy can be taught. The more often the puppy recovers the list of things/people/ experiences that the puppy is not afraid of grows faster and faster. This socialization period is an ongoing process that should last the entire life of the dog and must occur during this critical period.
This period an be further broken down as follows:
Curiosity Period (5-7 weeks): Puppies have the lowest fear and the highest approach acceptance now. Weaning from mom will be complete during this phase although the mom will still play with and teach the pups.
The puppies will continue exploring many different toys and miscellaneous items to move, chew on, climb on and carry, tug toys to share with littermates, etc. I follow the "Rule of 7's" By the time the puppy is 7 weeks old he/she should have: 1) Been on 7 different types of surfaces 2) Played with 7 different types of objects 3) Been in 7 different locations 4) Met and played with 7 new people 5) Been exposed to 7 challenges 6) Eaten from 7 different containers 7) Eaten in 7 different locations..
Behavioral Refinement Period (7-9 weeks): By 7-8 weeks puppies have fully functioning brains and are capable of learning anything, keeping in mind their short attention span. Learning at this stage is permanent. Many behavorist agree that this is the best time for the puppy to go to its new home. This is a crutical time to teach the puppies boundaries and the rules of life! Some puppies may begin to show fear.
Puppies continue learning through play. Most will be using the doggie door for elimination and outdoor play. More increased individual time is spent with each puppy on a daily basis. Grooming practices are continued along with Bathtime! Personalities are unique and precious and placements are ready to be made!
Fear Imprint/Impact Period (8-11 weeks): This begins a time of much more caution. The puppy may be fearful of loud noises, sudden movements, discipline, etc. Some puppies go through this stage rather quickly and the onset may be very sudden. As puppies are placed with their families it is important to continue to expose the puppies to positive situations and experiences.
Let me end on one more cruical piece of information from this book "Another piece of the puzzle: Puppy Development" ...Transforming a puppy into an adult dog with the behaviors and temperament the owner needs and/or wants is a complex feat. It requires both genetic selection for a large number of physical and temperamental factors and appropriate social and behavioral development. The latter component rests with the breeder through the first few weeks of the puppy's life and then with the new owner. According to research by Scott & Fuller, 35% of a dog's ultimate behavioral makeup is genetic and 65% is attributed to management, training, socialization, nutrition and health care of the puppy; although the complex relationship between nature and nuture is still not well understood.
Just remember you can never give your puppy too much
attention, love and consistency!
The above stages are just a general outline of what to expect as each puppy is unique and develops in their own time.
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