Socialisation is one of the most important factors when bringing up a dog. Correct
socialisation is even more important. Correct socialisation means regular interaction
with other dogs, traffic, and humans of all shapes and sizes and different sights
and sounds from a very early age. A well-socialised dog is a happy dog.
The first two to fourteen weeks of a puppies life are the most important, during
this time she will make the transition from a blind helpless animal into what is
known as the transitional period, followed by the socialisation period at four to
twelve or fourteen weeks.
0-2 weeks.This is known as the neonatal period, the eyes are fused closed, and the
ear canal is sealed, the pup has a strong sense of touch, especially on the head,
and mum will encourage the pup to feed. Studies have shown that stress in the form
of careful early handling by the breeder is good for the emotional development of
the puppy, making them better able to cope with stresses in later life. It is suggested
that the puppy will mature mentally faster, and be better at problem solving when
older. As well as this studies have shown that it enhances growth, and help increase
their resistance to disease. Of course too much handling at this time is equally
damaging to the neonate, and will have the opposite effect.
2-4 weeks. This is known as the transitional period, a very important period of development,
eyes and ears will open, pain responses develop, teeth come through and the pups
start to interact with their mum. The pup will become more aware of her surrounding
and her littermates (if there are any). Tail wagging will start, growling and barking
begins, and her brain is developing at a great rate. She will be startled by loud
noises, which will cause her to jump. During this period the pups will suckle from
their mum without being reminded by her. This is the beginning of the most important
period of a pup’s life.
4-12 weeks. This is the first ‘true’ socialisation period, by this time most of the
pups senses have matured, she can now see, hear, smell, and touch well, her brain
has developed and she is able to process information her brain receives quickly and
efficiently. Pups play and interact with each other, their mother and people. This
is the period where habits for life develop. By this time the pup has the faculties
of an adult dog, though she is need of ‘fine tuning’. Male puppies will have experienced
a surge of the male hormone testosterone, and may begin acting in a masculine way,
perhaps mounting other pups in the nest. Mum will leave her pups for longer periods,
and they will not always be able to suckle when they choose to. She will usually
start to gently discipline pups for rough behaviour so they are learning response
and consequences, she will often dominate them to teach them submission. We can
spend more time with the pups, handling them more, as they learn further human bonding.
The pup responds with tail wagging, she recognises our smell, and voices.
Learning through play comes into force now, during play the pup learns acceptable
adult behaviour, they learn they can manipulate other puppies behaviour, and ours.
Play teaches action patterns, co-ordination, safe exploration, timing and intervention,
and it develops the puppies mind.
From twelve weeks to puberty is known as the juvenile period, and this is the time
that the puppy has an increased attention span, and is busy improving her skills
and strength.
