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Argo-Heidi von der Lleburg, BD. 2/9/1928,
Oberingenieur W. Kruger, Eilenburg, Germany Critical Periods in Canine
Development
By Ellen Dodge.
Reprinted from the
October 1989 issue of the Weimaraner Magazine.
Drs. Scott and Fuller were the first to document
critical periods in the development of the canine in 1953. Their
efforts, recognizing critical developmental periods, the
importance of socialization, the use of the puppy aptitude test
and an effective breeding program, resulted in the remarkable
success rate of over 9O percent in producing guide dogs for the
blind. Clarence
Pfaffenbeiger, Dr. Michael Fox and Joachim and Wendy Volhard
have
further documented and supported the results of Scott and
Fuller.
Critical periods in a dog's life begin at birth,
peak between six and eight weeks, and extend to maturity. It has
been proven that environment and socialization make lasting
impressions on the developing dog.
Breeders have an important responsibility to
provide socialization and richness of experience for puppies in
their care, this is especially important from the fourth to
eighth weeks of puppyhood. Pfaffenberger in his book "The New
Knowledge of Dog Behavior" states that from "three weeks of age,
when the learning stage began, to 16 weeks of age, the character
of a dog is formed. No matter how good his inherited character
traits, if they are not given a chance of expression during this
period he will never be as good a dog as he could have been."
Neonatal
Period - O to 13 Days
During this time the puppies require food and
warmth. They are not capable of regulating their body
temperature or eliminating without their mother’s stimulation.
They are aware of direct contact.
Dr. Michael Fox conducted a study showing mildly
stressing puppies during the first five weeks develops dogs
which are superior when put in learning or competitive
situations. They are better able to handle stress, are more
outgoing and learn more quickly. Mild physical stress at an
early age will actually increase the size of the brain.
Some of you may have seen an article in the
"Hunter's Whistle" recently, an interview with Brittany breeders
Ron and Dot Stevenson. They have 30 years of experience
producing numerous dual champions. They believe puppies who are
destined for a lifetime of competition must be acclimated to
stress at an early age and they put their pups under stress from
the moment of whelping. They give the pups daily individual
attention and emphasize socialization.
The type of stress we are talking about is very
mild during the first week. Weigh the pups daily, placing them
on a cool surface. On successive days hold them one at a time
firmly on one side for 10 to 15 seconds. The next day, hold them
on the other side, then up in the air, head down, turn in a
circle, etc. During the second week, the stress is intensified
by pinching the ear flap, the webbing between the toes and
placing them on a cookie sheet just out of the refrigerator.
Transition period
- 13 to 21 days
Puppies' ears and eyes will gradually open. They
will begin to hear and will respond to taste and smell. This is
the time to introduce novel stimuli to the whelping box such as
a plastic milk bottle, knotted towel, cardboard box, etc. How
about pheasant or quail feathers? I find it best to
put them in a small cloth bag.
This is also a time to introduce puppies to
friendly cats. It is important to continue picking up the pups
daily, admire them, talk to them, and spend a few minutes with
each one individually.
Awareness Period - 21 to 23 Days
This is an important subperiod of the Canine
Socialization Period. By 2l days the pups have the use of their
senses and it is important not to overload them. Radical changes
in the environment must be avoided, i.e. do not move the
whelping box!
It is a time of very rapid sensory development.
Individual attention is continued. Also, take them two at a time
to new floor surfaces for about two minutes. Take different
pairs each time. Each day introduced a new surface such as
concrete, linoleum, wood, carpet, matting, etc. Taking them two
at a time will make it less stressful than one at a time. Very
mild auditory stimuli is introduced, such as a radio playing
quietly.
Canine
Socialization Period-21 to 49 Days
Pup learns he is a dog during this period. He
must be kept with his littermates and dam during this entire
period. He will learn how to stop mother’s discipline by acting
submissively. Do not wean the puppies at this time. They may be
supplemented at three weeks but it is left up to the dam how
much nursing is done. A puppy removed from its litter and dam
during this period may become overly noisy, a discipline
problem, or a fighter. The mother is allowed as much time with
the pups as she wants.
During, the fourth and fifth weeks, puppies can
go two at a time for short car rides. Again, alternate puppies
and do not always take the same two together. The dam can go
along if she is a good rider. Household noises are gradually
increased, radio, dishwasher, TV, hair dryer, vacuum, etc.
Individual attention is out of sight and hearing
of the mother and littermates. Puppies can be stood and brushed
with their bites checked daily. Introduce them to stairs (one
step at a time). Put them in a position where they have to solve
problems, walking through tunnels, for instance. Individually,
let them drag a show lead around. You don't want another puppy
to grab the lead-no tugging. Put a crate in the puppy pen.
At five weeks obedience training can begin in a
totally positive fashion. Give five minute sessions on sit,
stand, down and leash training. Use a plain buckle collar and do
not pull or jerk the leash. Introduce the pups to the outdoors.
This is a good time for them to meet new adults and children.
During the fifth and sixth weeks individual
attention is imperative. Clarice Rutherford and David Neil state
in their work "How to Raise A Puppy You Can Live With", that
during the sixth week, "It would be a catastrophe if you
neglected to give each pup individual attention. It puts you in
the category of being a producer, not a breeder and you should
never again have another litter in your care."
The 49th day is the ideal timing for the puppy
aptitude test to be done. The brain waves of the puppy are the
same as a mature dog, but the puppy is a clean slate. If the
puppies have been properly socialized and are not somehow
traumatized before the test (by being taken for their first car
ride to the test site, or being crated for the first time) the
test is a reliable measure of their suitability for whatever
role in life they are expected to fulfill. It is an excellent
aid in placing puppies in compatible homes.
Human
Socialization Period 50 to 84 Days (7 to 12 weeks)
This is the best time to place a puppy in his new
home, since he is now ready to transfer his affections from his
dam to his people. Pfaffenberger says, ”From now to the 16th
week of the puppy’s life, his basic character is set by what he
is taught. This will apply especially to his attitudes toward
people and toward his ability to serve them the very best he
can." Socialization must be continued.
During this time the puppy is given widely varied
experiences and meets as many people of all ages and walks of
life as possible. Once a puppy is reasonably housebroken, I take
it to the bank, hardware store, pet shop, florist, playground
and everywhere possible with me. During the seventh week is a
good time to send a puppy the breeder plans to keep for an
overnight visit with a trusted friend. By ten weeks, puppies
should have separate living quarters, or at least separate
sleeping quarters if they are still in the same household.
Fear Impact Subperiod 8 to 10 Weeks
Experiences a puppy perceives as traumatic during
this time are generalized and may affect him all his life. It is
a fact that a dog is most likely to develop an avoidance
response if subjected to physical or psychological trauma during
these four weeks.
Puppies should not be shipped during this period,
elective surgery should be put off until the 12th week, and
necessary visits to the vet should be made fun. Bring toys and
ask the vet to play with pup for a few minutes afterward.
Seniority Classification Period - 12 to 16
Weeks:
Otherwise known as the “age of the cutting’ teeth
and apron strings during this period, the pup is trying to
figure out who is boss. If still together, there is intense
competition between littermates. All tests of strength between
person and pup (such as tug of war) should be discontinued. All
biting of human hands, clothing, or leash should be discouraged.
By 16 weeks, the puppy’s emotional makeup is fully developed and
cemented for life, barring desensitization.
Flight Instinct Period 4 to 8 Months:
There is a time during this period, lasting two
to four weeks, when the pup will test his wings. He won't come
when called, in fact will run away. Just keep pup on a leash
until this passes.
Second Fear
Impact Period 6 to 14 Months
This period is otherwise known as Teenage
Flakiness! In large breeds this period could extend longer since
it is tied to sexual maturity. Incidents may occur more than
once. This is a fear of new situations and is handled with the
utmost patience. The dog is encouraged to work it out on his
own. If anything, it is better to ignore the whole situation
than to reinforce the fear by praising the dog or petting him
while he is afraid. When you "reassure" a dog with pets and
"it's okay, fella", you are telling him it is okay to be
frightened and you are creating a potential problem.
Young Adulthood - 18 to 24 months:
Many dogs will show a rise in their level of
aggression during this time. They may become protective and
territorial, and may make a new attempt to dominate owners.
Incidents of teenage flakiness may recur.
To produce a potential "super" dog takes a great
deal of time and effort on the part of the breeder and new
owner. The above is an outline which will help those who have
the time and who wish to give their puppies every possible
chance of preparing to take the world by the tail and achieve
their greatest potential.
For those who have less time to spend with a
litter, this can serve as a guide helping maximize the quality
of the time spent and to pinpoint the best times during the
pups’ development to make the effort.
The absolute, bare minimum amount of individual
attention a puppy must have is as follows: Two minutes of
attention two times during the fourth week; ten minutes of
attention two times during the fifth week; a minimum of two ten
minute sessions the sixth week; and one-half hour once per week
from 7 through 16 weeks.
Surely we all want to invest more than the bare
minimum on our litters of puppies whose pedigrees we have so
carefully planned and whose futures are so filled with hopes of
bench, obedience and field titles. Let's give our puppies a
super start from the whelping pen!
References:
Clarice Rutherford & David H. Neil. MRCVS. "How
to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With." Loveland, CO: Alpine
Publications, 1981.
Clarence Pfaffenberger. "The New Knowledge of Dog
Behavior." NY, NY: Howell, 1979.
Wendy Volhard & Gail Fisher. 'Seminar: "All You
Ever Wanted to Know About Puppies and Dogs."
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