Canine Development and Socialization

Question 1

What are the 5 periods of development?

Answer 1

Neonatal birth-2weeks
Transitional 2-3 weeks
Socialization 3-12 weeks
Adolescence 3-9 months
Adulthood ~1yr

Question 2

3 socialization period subcategories?

Answer 2

1. Awareness - 3 weeks
2. Initially Dogs - up to 7 weeks
3. Human Socialization - 7-12 weeks

Question 3

3 adolescence period subcategories

Answer 3

1. Social Dominance - 3-4mo
2. Flight Instinct - 4-8mo
3. Second Fear - 6-14mo

Question 4

Neonatal characteristics

Answer 4

Can’t see or hear
Need to be licked to eliminate

Question 5

What should we do during neonatal period?

Answer 5

Gentle daily handling
Leave with mom

Question 6

Transitional characteristics?

Answer 6

Eyes open, can hear
Respond to taste and smell
Teeth start to appear

Question 7

What should we do during transitional?

Answer 7

Gently introduce them to mild physical stress
Gentle daily handling individually

Question 8

Characteristics of socialization period?

Answer 8

Most impactful

AWARENESS (3 weeks)
- Play

INITIALLY DOGS (up to 7 weeks)
- Species specific behaviours
- Pack hierarchy through play
- Bite inhibition

-> weaning 6-12 weeks

HUMAN SOCIALIZATION (7-12 weeks)
- Weaned
- Most rapid learning, greatest impact
- Fears cemented (2-3mo)

Question 9

What should we do during socialization?

Answer 9

AWARENESS:
- Don’t overload them, introduce to mild stimuli

INITIALLY DOGS:
- Leave with littermates
- Occasionally isolate them to prepare for separation

HUMAN SOCIALIZATION:
- Rehome at 8 weeks (never before 7, after 12)
- Crate train 8 weeks
- Potty train 8-9 weeks
- Short, fun training sessions
- Encourage behaviours you want
- Socialize in controlled settings (not dog parks)

Question 10

Characteristics of adolescence?

Answer 10

SOCIAL DOMINANCE (3-4mo)
- Attempt to clarify leadership
- Teeth growing

FLIGHT INSTINCT (4-8mo)
- Forget learning
- Skittish

SECOND FEAR (6-14mo)
- Sexual maturity

Question 11

What should we do during adolescence?

Answer 11

SOCIAL DOMINANCE
- consistent structure with everyone in house
- chew toys

FLIGHT INSTINCT
- praise positive behaviour
- exercise and interactive play
- games you can win

SECOND FEAR
- encourage dog to work it out on its own (don’t reassure fear)
- build confidence through training
- spay at 6mo