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Your Puppy's Development, What's it all Mean?

Owning wiggly, fun-loving, treat-searching friends can be a lot of fun-but also there’s a lot to learn! So let’s talk about the different stages of development and important things to pay attention to in each period.

 Neonatal (birth to 12 days)
This is long before your puppy came home with you but this is where the learning begins! During this time, the pup is mostly immobile and stays close to her mom. A breeder or rescue provides a warm environment for them. It’s important pups are handled regularly and gently during this stage to allow the dog to more easily cope with stress throughout their life.

Transition Period (13 to 20 days)
Your pup’s eyes opened during this time and they started walking in a wobbly manner. The puppy may be able to eat solid food. It’s important the environment the puppy is in during this time is complex (different noises, surfaces to walk on, people to meet, and toys).

Primary Socialization (3 to 7 weeks) 
A puppy’s vision begins to develop at this stage and they are able to use their senses of sight and hearing. The puppy begins to learn from positive experiences, bite inhibition (not biting too hard is a skill learned from other puppies), how to play, barking, fighting, and body posturing. It’s important that the puppy remains with the mother and litter during this time and that they are interacting with other humans during this time. It’s great if puppies begin crate training (in small periods of time) in a way that is positive for the puppy.

 Human Socialization (starts week 7, ends somewhere between 12 and 14 weeks)
This is the age where the most learning occurs for your puppy and has the greatest impact on any future social behaviors. The window of opportunity is beginning to close and it is crucial that the puppy is properly socialized during this time, so be sure to enroll in a good puppy class! You can register for Paws4Training classes by visiting: https://www.paws4training.com/classes/ Keep in mind your puppy’s physical limitations and short attention span.

Fear Impact Period (8 to 11 weeks)
This period falls within the human socialization period and is when puppies learn from bad experiences (they remember bad things that happen to them). Things that frighten the puppy during this time have a significant impact and this is when puppies are easily frightened. Make sure vet trips are a fun and positive experience (bring those high value treats like cheese, beef liver, and freeze dried rabbit!). Avoid any potentially overwhelming experiences (like flying) during this time. All training sessions should be focused on forming positive experiences for the puppy, and not pushing your puppy to do things they are too afraid of.

Juvenile Period (occurs between socialization and puberty)
Pups will grow a lot during this time period and mature sexually. Their fluffy puppy coat will begin to be replaced by a more distinct adult coat. Those adult teeth will begin to grow in. Puppies should be continuing their puppy and human socialization during this time.

Adolescent Period (starts with puberty and ends with social maturity)
Your puppy may test to see if all the rules are the same and not come when called during this time. It’s important to continue their positive training and remain consistent in the experiences you are creating for your pup. Make sure you have some chew bones, kongs, and puzzles to keep your puppy busy. Use a long line when outside to continue practicing recall.

Second Fear Impact Period (can occur before puberty, but may occur between 5 and 12 months)
During this period, your dog may be more fearful and/or shy of new things, people, or situations. If your dog seems anxious, do not force them-remember it’s important to go at their pace with the training. While this might be a slower process than we want it to be, it will pay off in the long run to follow our dog’s lead to help build their confidence as they grow. Avoid any overwhelming circumstances in this growth period, including flying on an airplane.

Maturity (1 to 4 years)
This is where all your training together pays off! Continue to work on recall, different cues you’ve taught your dog (sit, stay, wait, etc.). If you forced your dog through training or weren’t consistent, this is also where you will see things you might’ve missed: resource guarding, reactivity to unfamiliar people or dogs, etc. Until your dog reaches this age, they should continue to be crated to prevent destroying things in the home or eating things they shouldn’t.

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