Weeks One to Three - Where's Mum?
90% sleep, 10% eat - a newborn puppy's life is full time growing. A healthy pup will more than double its weight in the first two weeks. Imagine, just how much you would have to eat and how little you would have to move in order to accomplish this.
Born eyes and ears shut to the world, they are far from isolated. Their sense of smell is working just fine and they use it to locate their mother's warm, milk-filled belly. They feel warmth and cold which is critical because newborn pups cannot control their body temperature any more than a lizard can. They stay comfortable either by piling on each other for warmth or spreading out to stay cooler. They can easily get fatally chilled or overheated.
The brain is developing complexity and mass daily. Studies have shown that daily handling from birth which mildly stresses each pup helps the brain develop and leads to adults who are better able to cope with stress and change than unstressed pups. These mild stressors include holding a pup upside down, touching them all over, placing them on a cool surface or putting an unusually scent in front of their noses. Nothing is done for more than a few seconds, in this area, more is NOT better.
Even at birth, each pups unique genetic temperament shines through. I've seen pups throw their heads from side to side wailing about life, getting themselves so worked up that when they do find the nipple they drop it repeatedly. Others barely are free from the birth sack when they swing their head to their mothers belly, lock on and calmly feed.
That said, pups go through rapid social changes during the next few weeks. Some days they are confident and secure, another day they might be less so.
Weeks Three to Week Five - Family Time
Eyes open at a round 11 days, plus or minus a day or two. Ears open around day 21, again with individual variations. Both senses are probably fuzzy at first as the brain learns to sort all the new information it is receiving.
Around week three many litters start to eat from a pan. At first it is a messy process with pups getting more on them then in them but rapidly they learn how to eat efficiently. By the end of this period, they are usually weaned.
Week four is a special time. It seems that during this stage so much sensory information is coming in from the newly opened eyes and ears that it is positively overwhelming. A loud sound or frightening experience during this time during this period can leave a lasting impression.
Play between the pups begins during this stage. Slow motions, uncoordinated at first, it is rough and tumble by the 5th week.
Weeks Five to Eight - Interaction 101
Weeks five and six are when your dog really learns to be a dog. He or she learns how to display submission and assert authority, inhibit aggression and control impulses (to a small degree). Because this is a time of rapid, social development, removing a pup from his litter mates and mother during these weeks should be avoided at all costs.
Week seven is often considered the magic time for puppy placement in their new home, but there is difference of opinion in this matter. The seventh week can be fine but, as week eight can be a sensitive period when pups may react strongly to new things, some breeders feel going to a new home at seven weeks does not allow full adjustment before the eighth week hits.
Do not be surprised if breeders, especially of sensitive breeds, hold off until nine weeks for placement. As long as the breeder is actively handling and socialization her pups, there is no problem with this later placement.
Early socialization, handling and loving care are critical to the development of a healthy, well-adjusted, stable companion and cannot be compensated for later in life. For this reason, and many more, store bought pups are best avoided. Select your friend from a loving home where care was taken from the very start.
Weeks Nine to Twelve - Batten Down the Hatches
They are active! They are mobile! They have sharp teeth! They want everything in their mouths! They are puppies and they are coming to a living room near you!
This is an utterly exciting and sweet period despite the exhaustion and pain that can be involved. Write your crate company a thank you note, because they will be saving your life during these three weeks.
Supervision and direction are the key words in this period. No time out of your sight, lots of puppy kindergarten, puppy training class and socialization (all with your veterinarians okay, of course). Daily massage of tired pups is a wonderful way to get your soon-to-be large dog used to handling and to assert your leadership in a pleasant, non-confrontational way.
At this age, pups are sponges ready to learn about life. While limits need to be set calmly and firmly, there is no place in puppy hood for angry humans. Teach but don't punish. This is a brand new, innocent life - treat pups accordingly.
Three Months to Five Months - Ready, Set, Go!
A wonderful time as they are so ready to learn but still have, for the most part, social attraction. Social attraction means they are not yet sure of themselves or independent and most will follow you wherever you go. This is especially true in a new area. At this stage they are eager to please you and getting more physical coordination by the minute.
Do not be surprised if somewhere near 16 weeks your pup enters another sensitive period, sometimes called a fear period. During this time, events can leave indelible marks on the brain. Treat them normally but with care, now is not the time to expose them to loud noises like fireworks or meet all the neighbourhood kids in Halloween costumes. If they do become frightened of something, down play the event. Making a fuss will only make things worse.
The relationship you will have with your dog is set during this time. Strive to be a calm, sensible but non-negotiable leader. If you succeed, your dog will be less likely to question your authority later. If you indulge him, wait on him hand and paw, allow him to develop rude habits, he will grow into what you have made him - an unresponsive, disrespectful brat. It is up to you!
Five Months to Seven Months - Growing Up
You no longer have a baby, but a young dog who is rocketing toward maturity. Social attraction will lessen in this period so if you haven't done off leash following up to this point, don't start now.
Their concentration is improving which is both good and bad. This means they can focus on you for longer periods during training, but it also means they can stay interested long enough to do some real creative damage if left unattended.
Energy level peaks during this stage, so hang on. Dog ownership will seem like a good idea again in a month or two.
This is the time to neuter your pup. This goes double for male pups. The majority of severe bites are from intact male dogs. Prevent the preventable and neuter your dog.
Allowing behaviours such as leaping up on to your lap without permission, jumping at you, mouthing, begging, pulling on the lead and pushing you out of the way at doorways, sets the stage for problems in the future. Puppies do not grow out of rude behaviour, they mature into it. Redirect unwanted behaviours to appropriate behaviours rather than battling with your dog. For example, when your dog jumps up tell him "Off" then "Sit" and praise when he does, rather then scolding him with "No, Bad Dog!" "No" and "Bad Dog" does not instruct him in any way. If this is a new idea, and it will be for many, ask your trainer, behaviourist or veterinarian for help.
Seven Months to One Year - The Future is Now!
All your hard work pays off now. He is calming down a tad, able to concentrate for longer periods, and, if you have done your job properly, increasingly responsive to your commands.
Of course, adolescence is also occurring. Some days he'll be puppyish, others even more so. At times the garbage can will be something to raid, at others something to fear - adolescents are changeable and your dog is not an exception.
Here the would be leaders of the future really begin to push their authority. Watch for signs of trouble brewing such as ignoring known commands, refusing to give up toys or food, resistance to getting off the furniture, aggression at the door or toward other animals. If any of these crop up, or if you have a hard time controlling your dog at this stage in his life, seek professional help now! He will not get easier to control as he gets bigger and more confident.
Over One Year of Age - It's Never Over
At one year, most dogs have not yet finished physical growth. Although they are about as tall as they are likely to get, they have much maturing still to do, just as an 18 year old human does not physically look like a 30 year old adult.
Mental maturation does not come to a halt when they become full size anymore than it does for humans. Many people will see a rise in their dogs assertiveness around two years, then again at three. Simply increase your demands on the dogs at these times, enter him in another class or two and you'll come through it with flying colours. If these simple things do not lessen his desire to rule the roost, seek a qualified trainer or behaviourist to help you through these rough spots.
Also, for reasons still unclear, some dogs develop phobias later in life, often between five and seven years old. Your normally storm-resistant dog now shivers and hides at the first clap of thunder. Again, increased structure and direction can help your dog stabilize, but if this isn't enough ask your veterinarian or trainer how best to help your dog cope.
* Note - this article was written by someone else, unfortunately I don not have the authors' name.