Rufnit Kennels Braque du Bourbonnais - "Vital Periods in Your Puppies
Growth"
Vital Periods in Your Puppies Growth
by Stan Rawlinson - DogListener
Critical Periods in Puppies Psychological Growth
(Part One )
One of the most important and comprehensive studies on the development
and behaviour of the domestic dog from birth to one year old, was
researched at the Jackson Memorial Laboratory in Bar Harbor Maine. This
groundbreaking series of experiments lasting 13 years, culminated in a
book by the two main scientists involved. Drs. John Paul Scott and John
L Fuller, published in 1965 called “Genetics
and the Social Behavior of Dogs.”
The idea behind this massive study by Scott and Fuller, involving many
hundreds of crossbreed and purebred dogs. Was to answer a number of
fundamental questions about the psychological behaviour of our pets. It
also gave us a template to breed, rear, socialize, and train our dogs
with more certainty of success. The fundamental issues were not “Is
behaviour inherited," but "What
does heredity do to behaviour?"
What was clear from these experiments and studies is that puppies have
distinct and clear windows of opportunity. If we do not understand or
utilize these opportunities correctly then the possible outcome could be
the cause of many of the common behavioural problems we see in later
life.
Vital Times for Your Puppy
The critical periods are well named, yet not universally understood, by
many breeders, trainers, and behaviourists. These effectively start from
birth; this is known as the neonatal period. The pups are born blind and
deaf but with an incredible sense of smell. This period is distinguished
by almost constant sleeping and nursing. It is at this time that the
pups gain an olfactory map of their surroundings, the nest and their
mother.
They cannot even toilet on their own it requires the mother to stimulate
them to pass feces and urine, she then eats and drinks this (nice eh!)
These instincts are nature’s way of keeping the nest clean, dry, and
free of bacteria, also to cut down possible smells that could attract
predators. We know that no predators are going to attack the pups but
try telling the mother that.
Early Toileting Training
After three/four weeks the pups can scamper and run around on their own,
the nursing bitch then trains the pups not to toilet anywhere near the
nest, she instills this discipline quite forcefully this is the time
when some initial toileting problems may be caused. The inexperienced
breeder may see this as overt aggression towards the pups and separate
the mother and youngsters, depriving them of a valuable lesson often
causing other behavioural problems later in life. This is also a problem
with “Puppy Farmed” dogs as these idle useless breeders are too lazy to
clean the mess when mum stops cleaning up they then sell them on far too
early.
The action of separating the mother from her pups is one of the main
reasons that pups soil in their crates and have difficulty learning
toilet training. It is natural for pups to want to be clean in the
house. It is both instinctual and learned because of the evolutionary
context from which he comes. On the other hand, the chimpanzee is almost
impossible to train to be clean indoors. He may be much smarter than the
dog but in his evolutionary biology, alimentary functions and control
have not been selected. You cannot overcome nature. The same as you
cannot teach a pointer to point or a border collie to clap.
The words “clap eyes on” comes from what collies do when they herd
sheep: it’s the eye, that hard stare that called a clap, either they do
or they don’t, nothing we can do would or could alter that automatic
biological action. Once again, this is nature at its strongest and very
little to do with nurture. Nature is genetic nurture is socialization.
Handling
Another problem with puppy-farmed dogs is they are rarely handled during
this important critical period. The only senses they have until, about
three weeks old are olfactory and tactile. Humans handling pups at this
time provide a mild stress response, which acts to improve the puppies
both physically and emotionally. Pups that are handled during the first
two weeks of their life mature and grow quicker; they are more resistant
to infections and diseases, are generally more stable, handle stress
better, are more exploratory, curious and learn much faster than pups
that are not handled during this period.
Senses
From about 3 weeks old the pups start to get their other senses,
including sight, hearing and balance, eyes start to open first, then
about ten days later hearing starts to kick in at the same time as
kinesthesia ie balance and mobile awareness. This allows them to move
confidently rather than wobble. It at this time they really start to
socialize with their mum and siblings.
They now learn to be dogs rather than the mewing, gurgling, cat like
creatures we saw in the first few weeks, they also start to understand
the big world around them, strangely enough they have no fear at this
time only mild startle responses; the fear periods are still a few weeks
away. Handling at this time is necessary for human socialization and
imprinting to take place.
First Fear Period
Fear or hazard avoidance starts at around five weeks, it peaks at
between eight and ten weeks, which coincides with the time we normally
pick up the puppy. Is it any wonder that they become fretful in cars
(car sick) which is generally stress not motion related, and end up with
a lifelong fear of the Vets surgery, we inject them and sometimes tag
the larger breeds during this all important fear period.
This first fear period is probably instrumental in many of the fear and
stress related behaviours we see in adult dogs, any startle or fearful
stimulus at the crucial 5 to 10 week period could have a long lasting
and negative effect. I noted on Roger Mugfords web site that he proposes
the following:
For the dog that insists on jumping up, there should be some well-timed
punishing intervention. The punishment of choice is a soft drinks can
with three pebbles inside, firmly dropped or thrown by puppy's feet at
the moment he jumps up, in fright he will move back. You can then reward
him for having four feet on the ground.
There is no mention of fear or hazard avoidance periods or what age you
should practice this. Be very aware that if you follow this advice and
it is in this crucial period you could easily make your puppy noise
aversive in the extreme.
I have written a further article showing the critical periods from birth
to maturity which tells you what to expect from your dog during these
vital times:
(Part
Two)
0 to 7 Weeks
Neonatal, Transition, Awareness, and Canine Socialization. Puppy is with
mother and littermates up to seven weeks . During this period, your
puppy learns about social interaction, play, and inhibiting aggression
from its mother and littermates. Puppies must stay with their mother and
littermates through this critical period. As the puppies learn the most
important lesson in their lives--they learn to accept discipline. It is
at this time that they also learn not to toilet in the nest.
7 to 16 Weeks
Human Socialization Period. The best time to take a puppy home is 7
weeks then you have nine whole weeks to work with the dog over this
incredibly important period. The puppy now has the brain waves of an
adult dog, but his attention span is short. This period is when the most
rapid learning occurs. Learning at this age is permanent so this is a
perfect time to start training, but make it fun. This is also the time
to introduce the puppy to things that will play an important part in his
life. Different people, places, animals, hoovers, washing machines and
unusual sounds, in a positive, non-threatening way.
8 to 10 / 11 Weeks
Fear Imprint Period. Whilst the Pup is going through human socialization
it also go has an important fear/hazard avoidance period. This starts at
5 weeks and peaks between 8 and 10.5 weeks. Any traumatic, frightening
or painful experience will have a more lasting effect on the puppy than
if it occurred at any other time in its life. This period if you do not
handle it correctly could give your dog a lasting fear of say traffic,
the Vets or other frightening noises or events. Never ever praise or
sympathize with your pup when it is showing fear. This only serves to
confirm the fear.
13 to 16 Weeks
Seniority Classification Period. Puppy starts to cut teeth and apron
strings! Puppy begins testing its position in the family unit. You must
discourage all biting; the dog should have started to learn and
understand bite inhibition by this time! It is important that you are a
strong and consistent leader. The period between 0 and 16 weeks is the
most important period in your dog’s life. He will learn more during that
short space of time than at any other time in his life. Other windows of
opportunity for learning will open during your dog’s life. However, what
you see at 16 weeks without extensive training and behavioural
modification is about what you are going to get as an adult. Therefore,
work hard on giving your pet the best start in life.
4 to 8 Months
Play Instinct Period. Flight Instinct Period. Puppy may wander and
ignore you. It is very important that you keep the puppy on a leash at
this time! The way that you handle your pup at this time determines if
he will come to you when called. At about 4-1/2 months, your puppy loses
his milk teeth and gets his adult teeth. That's when he begins serious
chewing! A dog's teeth don't set in his jaw until between 6 /10 months.
During this time, the puppy has a physical need to exercise his mouth by
chewing. Training must continue through this period or all your good
work may revert back to stage one. Occasionally the puppy will start to
urinate in the house again if this happens, just go back to basic toilet
training.
6 to 14 Months
Second Fear Imprint Period or Fear of New Situations Period. Dog again
shows fear of new situations and even familiar situations. Dog may be
reluctant to approach someone or something new. It is important that you
are patient and act very matter of fact in these situations. Never force
the dog to face the situation. DO NOT pet the frightened puppy or talk
in soothing tones. The puppy will interpret such responses as praise for
being frightened. Training will help improve the dog's confidence. This
fear period is normally more marked in male dogs.
1 to 4 Years
Maturity Period. You may encounter some increased aggression and renewed
testing for position and authority, however if you have spent lots of
time with your dog and trained consistently and regularly, then this
should not present itself as a problem - in fact you may hardly notice
this change, it is just something to keep in mind. Continue to train
your dog during this period. It is possible that your dog may have
another fear period between 12 - 16 months of age.
Regardless of your reason for acquiring a puppy, you'll have to win it
over. You, not your dog, will have to create a safe and secure
environment with ongoing training if your pup is to develop into a
well-mannered family member instead of a thug or a burden.
Dogs are animals, not human beings. They are instinctively pack animals.
In every pack there is at least one sometimes more than one leader, who
tends to make most of the decisions. Usually the pack will have at least
one alpha male and an alpha female. All the other members of the pack
form a hierarchy in which everyone has a place. Your dog is not a wolf,
and though we have tended to think Alpha is important position, new
thinking and study has somewhat disproved this idea.
That is not to say you should not show leadership in a fair and equable
way In your home, you and your family become your dog's family, as do
any other dogs you may have. It is therefore your responsibility to
establish yourself in a position of authority and trust. If you fail to
do this, your dog may question your requests and authority. Many people
assume that they are automatically the lead figure just because they are
humans, are you really the leader? Does your dog know it and respect
your wishes and commands?
Being the leader does not mean you have to be big and aggressive. Nor
does it mean that there has to be a battle of strength or wills, after
which you emerge the victor. Anyone can be the leader. It is an attitude
an air of authority. It is the basis for mutual respect, and provides
the building blocks of communication between you and your dog. It never
means punishment or overt aggression.
© Stan
Rawlinson 1998
Dog
Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer
0208
979 2019
Permission to post/reprint on this site graciously granted by Stan
Rawlinson - DogListener
