Dog Owner’s Guide To A Puppy’s Stages Of Development

Puppies spend a relatively short time learning how to behave before they reach adulthood. While this time is brief, it is important. Owners should become familiar with their pups’ stages of development in order to ensure they have sufficient exposure to the right influences. Otherwise, their pets may reach adulthood without having learned proper social skills.

In this article, we’ll take you through a puppy’s early stages of development. From birth to adulthood, you’ll learn how they acquire the skills and mannerisms they use throughout their lives. As a side note, it’s important to realize that professional breeders will normally keep pups for eight weeks before allowing people to adopt them. The reason will become clear below.

The Neonatal (Newborn) Stage

When pups are born, they lack the ability to see and hear; both senses develop later (other senses are already present at birth). For this and other reasons, a newborn puppy spends most of his first two weeks entirely dependent on his mother. This period is known as the neonatal stage.

In addition to a lack of sight and hearing, a new pup also lacks the ability to urinate and defecate on his own. He requires stimulation, which is provided by his mother. Also, because he is unable to normalize his body temperature, he needs his mother to provide balance.

Even though a newborn puppy is still developing the ability to move, he is already learning social skills during his first two weeks. While socialization gains momentum during later stages, it starts with his first interactions with his mother and littermates.

Making The Transition

During this stage of development, a pup’s eyes will begin to open, and he will develop the ability to see. His ear canals will also open, giving him the ability to hear. Both senses require time to develop, but even in their limited form, allow the puppy to recognize his littermates.

The transitional stage is also marked by the emergence of a puppy’s first teeth. He will develop a growing level of comfort with finding milk from a source other than his mother. Also, his ability to normalize his body temperature will improve, though he will still require his mother to provide balance.

Learning To Socialize

This stage in a pup’s development is arguably the most important. It begins at week four, and typically lasts until the end of his third month. During the first part of this phase, a puppy’s interactions with others are limited to his mother and littermates.

This is a crucial time for him since his littermates will provide the feedback he needs in order to learn basic social skills. While wrestling and playing, they will let him know if he is too rough or has crossed a boundary. He will learn to modify his behavior accordingly.

By the puppy’s fifth or sixth week, a breeder will provide him with exposure to people. This is a key component of a pup’s socialization since it helps him become accustomed to others besides his mother and littermates.

Learning His Place In Your Home

By the end of a puppy’s eighth week, most breeders will allow you to take him home. Making the transition from the company of his mother and littermates to his new environment may initially be difficult. It is important to establish rules as soon as possible, so your pup will quickly understand his place in your household. Puppies are pack animals, and thus instinctively look to the leaders of their packs for guidance.

Also important, try to give your puppy exposure to other animals and people. If you have friends and family with well-trained pets, ask them to bring them to your home. An alternative is to enroll your pup into a training class that is designed specifically for puppies.

Learning Independence

From the beginning of his fourth month, your pup may start to test his pack’s hierarchy. This does not necessarily mean he will become aggressive, or try to assert his dominance over you and your family. Instead, he may play-fight in the same manner he would with his littermates. While this is normal behavior for a puppy that is becoming increasingly independent, it is important to put a stop to it before it becomes a problem. By month six, he should understand and accept the ranking order within your household.

Most puppies go through each of the developmental stages described above. A supportive environment helps them develop the social skills they’ll need later in their lives. By the time your pet has reached adulthood (typically, at twelve months), he should be a well-adjusted and friendly canine companion.

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