3. Dog Development Flashcards
Name the five developmental stages
- Neonatal (birth - 2 weeks)
- Transitional (2-3 weeks)
- Socialization (3-12 weeks)
- Adolescence (3 months to 6-9 months)
- Adulthood
Describe the neonatal period
- Puppy has no sight/hearing
- Vocalize if separated
- Sleep in pile when mother absent
- Mother licks perineum to eliminate
What things should an owner do during the neonatal period?
Provide a warm, clean, and safe environment
Handle puppy gently
Describe the transitional period
- Puppy hears, eyes open
- Walks unsteady
- Reacts to smell + taste
- Teefs start to appear
What things should an owner do during the transitional period?
- Introduce stimuli = milk bowl, knitted towel, cardboard
- Introduce to friendly cats
- Handle gently, play, talk to them
When is the awareness period?
Between 21-23 days
Describe the awareness period
Puppy is able to use sight + hearing
Rapid sensory development
Learning begins
What things should an owner do during the awareness period?
- Don’t overload puppy
- Avoid major changes
- Introduce mild auditory stimuli
How can early stress benefit puppies?
Stress introduced within the first five weeks helps puppies
- Handle stress
- Learn quicker
- Be more outgoing
- Increase brain size
Describe the socialization period
- Puppy learn ‘dog’ behaviours - biting, chasing, barking, fighting and body posture
- Puppies develop pack hierarchy through play
- Accept discipline from mother
- Learns bite inhibition
Describe bite inhibition in dogs
Frank bites Vinny. Vinny is upset and leaves play. Fern bites Frank, Frank understands how Vinny feels
What things should an owner do during the socialization period?
- Puppies leaving before 7 weeks affects socialization and bite inhibition
- Have lots of exposure - different flooring, noises
- Separate puppies to prepare to sell
- Positive training @ 5 weeks
When do puppies wean?
Between 4-8 weeks
