Developmental stages

Question 1

Transitional

Answer 1

2-3 weeks

Question 2

Neonatal

Answer 2

Birth-2 weeks

Question 3

Socialization

Answer 3

3-12 weeks

Question 4

Adolescense

Answer 4

4- 6 to 9 months

Question 5

Neonatal period learning and development

Answer 5

Puppy can’t hear or see well, stays close to mother and littermates.
Often attached to teat whether sucking or resting
Sleep in a pile to stay warm when mom is absent.
Vocalize if separated.
Eliminate in response to mom licking their perineum.
Can not eliminate without being stimulated

Question 6

What PP should do in the neonatal period

Answer 6

Provide a warm, safe environment.
Gentle daily handling

Question 7

Development in the transitional development

Answer 7

Eyes open, puppy can hear, begins to walk but unsteadily.
Responds to taste and smell
Teeth start to apear

Question 8

What owners should do in the transitional period

Answer 8

Introduce novel stimuli such as a plastic milk bottle, knotted towel, cardboard box, etc.
Introduce to friendly cats
Pick up the pups daily, talk to them, and spend a few minutes with each one individually.

Question 9

Awareness period learning and development

Answer 9

Puppies are able to use senses of sight and hearing.
A time of very rapid sensory development
Learning begins

Question 10

What owners should do in the awareness period

Answer 10

Important not to overload them.
Avoid major changes.
Very mild auditory stimuli can be introduced,

Question 11

Early stress is helpful b/c

Answer 11

Better able to handle stress.
More outgoing
Learn more quickly.
Mild physical stress at an early age increases the size of the brain.

Question 12

Socialization period learning and develpment

Answer 12

Puppies learn species specific behaviours that make them dogs:
Biting, chasing, barking, fighting and body posturing.
Learn to relate to other litter mates and develop a pack hierarchy through play
Learn to accept discipline from mother and to use submissive postures.
Learn bite inhibition.

Question 13

What owners should do in the socialization period

Answer 13

Leaving the litter before 7 weeks affects the puppy’s ability to get along with other dogs.
A puppy who leaves the litter before 7 weeks will have trouble learning bite inhibition.
A puppy’s mental development depends on the complexity of their environment.
Expose to a variety of noises and different floor surfaces.
One-on-one individual attention with humans
Occasionally isolate puppies to prepare them for separation.
Begin positive training sessions at 5 weeks.

Question 14

Human socialization

Answer 14

7-12 weeks

Question 15

Human socialization development and learning

Answer 15

The age when most rapid learning occurs.
Greatest impact on future social behaviour is made by experiences during this time.
The window of opportunity is closing. Although puppies can continue to learn to be comfortable with new things, it is not as easy.
Puppies should be completely weaned from their mother.

Question 16

What owners should do during human socialization period

Answer 16

Best time to bring puppy into its new home around week 8
Absolutely critical that the puppy is socialised - maximise this time! Enrol in a good puppy class!
Ideal time to educate the puppy.
Take into account the puppy’s physical limitations and short attention span.

Question 17

What happens if a puppy is isolated early in life

Answer 17

Is extremely fearful of social contact.
Exhibits widespread behavioural and cognitive disabilities.
Exhibit poor learning and problem-solving abilities.
Is either extremely hyperactive or rigidly inhibited.
Is socially and sexually incapacitated.

Question 18

Fear imprint period

Answer 18

2-3 months

Question 19

Fear imprint period is the period in which

Answer 19

Usually lasts about 3 weeks.
May suddenly become afraid of everyday objects (vacuum cleaner)
Trauma is generalised and may have lifelong effects.
A dog is most likely to develop an avoidance response if subjected to physical or psychological trauma during this period

Question 20

What to do during the fear imprint period

Answer 20

Avoid traumatic experiences.
Keep training fun!
Use short sessions.
Keep all training positive.
Gentle guidance and management
Set the puppy up to succeed.
Continue to socialise your puppy.
Puppies should not be shipped during this period.
Postpone elective surgery until the fourth month.
Learning is permanent.

Question 21

Social dominence

Answer 21

3-4 months

Question 22

Social dominance faze includes

Answer 22

The puppy has been in the home for approximately six weeks.
Period of “cutting teeth” and learning to compete and cope.
Pups attempt to clarify and resolve questions of leadership.

Question 23

What the owner should do during the social dominance faze

Answer 23

Provide structure, control and leadership.
If these things are not provided, all heck is about to break loose!

Question 24

Adolescence

Answer 24

4-9 months

Question 25

5-6 months in the adolescence stage

Answer 25

Beginning to have a sense of self and independence.
Has opinions
Complains about the rules.
Sometimes talks back.

Question 26

7-9 months in the adolescence stage

Answer 26

Like a 16 year old

Question 27

Adolescence learning and development

Answer 27

May challenge you to resolve the question of leadership.
May not come when called.
May not play fetch even though once did.
Uncomfortable because adult teeth are growing in.

Question 28

What owners should do during the adolescence stage

Answer 28

Start socialising and training before now!
Prevention over cure is advocated.
Going through puberty, your puppy is changing physiologically.
Awareness of these changes in behavior will help get you through this difficult period.
This is the time when obedience schools get most of their calls.
As with any teenager all you can do is be aware of it and ride it out.
Praise positive behavior.
Discourage negative behavior.
Ignore!
Or give them an appropriate behaviour to replace it with
Be prepared with appropriate chew bones (large enough so that the pup will not choke) to help with the need to chew.
Use a long line in the park if your pup is not coming when called

Question 29

Second fear period

Answer 29

6-14 months

Question 30

Second fear period involves

Answer 30

Corresponds with growth spurts.
May happen more than once as the puppy matures.
May suddenly be apprehensive about new things or shy or timid of new people or situations.
Most of the height growing is over, but pup will start to fill out over the coming year.
Puppy begins to mature sexually:
Male begins to lift leg.
Females have their first heat period anywhere from 6-12 months.
Puppy coat being replaced by adult coat, starting down the spine.

Question 31

What owners should do in second fear period

Answer 31

Fear of new situations - handle with patience
Encourage the dog to work it out on his own.
Often better to ignore the whole situation
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.
If your puppy appears apprehensive, avoid confrontation.
Build confidence through training.
Avoid potentially overwhelming circumstances you cannot personally oversee.

Question 32

Maturity

Answer 32

1-4 years

Question 33

Maturity refers to

Answer 33

Refers to sexual maturity as opposed to being full-grown.
Smaller dogs mature earlier, larger dogs later.
If you were lax in your work earlier on, you may now see the things you have missed:
Object guarding
Unfavorable reactions towards unfamiliar people and or animals
Other things that your dog missed during the socialization stage.

Question 34

How long should you crate train for and how do you know when it is done?

Answer 34

Until this maturity is reached, crate puppy when you are not available to supervise his behaviour.
You will know when your dog can be trusted by testing him for short periods (10-15 minutes) while you leave the house.
If your dog is damaging property while loose…he is not ready

Question 35

How to stop your dog from learning running free is fun

Answer 35

1. Ensuring the yard is secure.
2. Always keep on leash
   3.Spay or neuter
   By 7 months the male puppy has 4 times as much testosterone as a 2-year-old intact male.
   A female in heat will do anything she can to find a mate, and her pheromones can attract males for miles!

Question 36

Evasion during the adolescence stage is b/c

Answer 36

Attention, good or bad is still attention.
Chase… and be chased.
Attention and exercise!
Dog is also experimenting on how he can control his world.
How fast, smart, and agile he can be.
Practicing outsmarting, outmaneuvering

Question 37

Battle of the wits during the adolescence stage is

Answer 37

Ignore the dog when he is parading around with your brand-new shoe.
Instead, go pounce on one of his toys!
When he drops your shoe to come join a game with his toy, don’t give it to him.
Grab your shoe and put it away.
Then….Play with him!
Message: if puppy wants you to play then he needs to bring one of his toys to you
When puppy brings his toy get excited…cause that is the reason he picks your “toys”!

Question 38

Increased chewing during the adolescence stage is b/c and how to fix it

Answer 38

Puppy used to chew on his toys only. Now, it’s the couch, the siding on the house….
At this age puppy is easily bored and frustrated
Puppy relieves his tension on whatever inanimate object is in his sight.
Puppies need to burn off excess energy through cardio exercise.
Fetch, hide and seek, running, etc.
A 20-minute leisurely walk around the block is not enough…neither is a yard with “room to run.”
Puppy will be digging up plants and tearing up the grass, not running!

Question 39

Why is your puppy barking at you and how to fix it

Answer 39

Like a teenager he is being “bossy” saying:
I need, I want, give me, let me.
Just like kids, the world revolves around him.
Puppy has no impulse control.
Prevention and leadership are crucial.
Structure, clear house rules and accountability (oddly…just like a teenager!)
Puppy needs to learn to earn…nothing in life is free.
Puppy must do something you want in order to get what he wants.

Question 40

Catch me…..if you can

Answer 40

Bad Game!
You stomp, he runs - or worse, dog grabs something and you try to catch him to get it back.
A possessive power trip for the dog
Teaches that he can out-run / out-smart / out-maneuver you.
Makes him impossible to catch if he ever gets out!

Question 41

Hide and seek

Answer 41

Good Game!
You hide and the dog searches until he finds you.
Teaches the dog to come when called and how to find you when he can’t see you
Hide a toy or a biscuit and encourage him to find it
An excellent “scenting” game!

Question 42

Tug of war for keeps

Answer 42

Bad game_!
The dog wrestles the toy from you, sometimes growling, and wins, running off with the toy.
A major power trip and confidence builder for your dog. Often turns into a “catch me if you can” game.

Question 43

Tug of war on YOUR terms

Answer 43

Good Game!
You present the toy and invite the dog to play.
You make all the rules!
Take it….Pull…Out
The game begins and ends when you say so, and when the game is over, you keep the toy until the next game!
A leadership exercise - use sparingly.
In case of over-stimulation, end the game abruptly.
Teaches self-control/impulse control

Question 44

Throw the ball

Answer 44

Bad Game!
Dog pushes his ball at you, staring intently, ordering you to “throw the ball !!!” and then snatches it just as you reach for it
When he does allow you to throw it, he dances around teasing you with it instead of delivering it to you.

Question 45

Fetch

Answer 45

Good game!
You bring out the ball and invite a controlled game of “fetch.”
Becomes a training session: “sit” “wait” “get it” “bring it” “out” and you put the ball away until the next game.
Pack leaders get to decide when and what the rules are and when the game ends.
Always stop when the dog would like to play longer.
Leave him wanting more!

Question 46

Wrestling and play fighting

Answer 46

CAUTION!!! Bad Game!
Encourages jumping up, mouthing, biting, chasing and pits the dog’s strength against the owner.
A definite confidence builder.
Teaches the dog he can “run for higher office” …..and win

Question 47

Tricks

Answer 47

AWESOME!!
Exercise your dog’s mind….and yours!
Teach your dog to sit up, roll over, shake hands, or even balance a biscuit on his nose!

Question 48

Brain power

Answer 48

Great game!
Teach your dog the names of his toys or names of family members.
Teach him to deliver notes or find your car keys!