Dog Obedience Training Tips: Puppy Development
The prenatal period, is a recognized important period during the development of puppies. It is said that long term effects towards the behavioral development of mammals occur while they are still inside their mommies. Earlier studies often overlooked the existence of this period in a puppy’s life cycle since actual observations of the puppies behavior isn’t possible. But with the development of the ultrasound machine an unborn puppy can now be observed within its mum even as early as the 4th of week of gestation! In fact, some believe that training a puppy can begin at this time.
They have observed that puppy fetuses react to touch or to pressure from outside their mothers abdomen. It is also theorized that since puppies have a very well-developed sense of touch even at birth, then it could be possible that this sensitivity is also as developed even before they are born. Thus it is also theorized that constant gentle patting of the mother dog’s abdomen can help in the development of positive socialization of the puppies with people. After birth and during the first 2 weeks of a puppy’s life, which is also known as the neonate period, it is said that puppies can already learn basic associations. Thus, it is considered prime time for training a puppy.
However these early experiences are very unlikely to get carried over to the puppy’s later life. So training a puppy while its still young might be a good idea but the chances of this training being remembered when your puppy gets older is very unlikely. The next period in a puppy’s development is what’s called the socialization. Social investigation, play fighting and playful sexual behavior is adamant to the puppy’s ability to develop social relationships during its life. So training a puppy to play fight with other puppies is beneficial to it and should be encouraged.
During the same period, reactions such as getting startled as well as reactions to sudden movement as well as sounds develop. This would help the puppy to differentiate what is dangerous and what is safe as well as which events are insignificant. The development of a puppy’s attachment to specific areas in its environment occurs. This could manifest itself through a disturbed reaction in the puppy when something is moved or changed. This thing is called localization and it often happens to puppies between 6-7 weeks old and then wears off as time goes by till it reaches the point when any change is no longer stressful to the puppy.
It is also said that a dog who is petted regularly by its owner especially during the first eight weeks of its life is more likely easier to be trained as well as more ideal to be living with humans. As such, most people believe that puppies should be placed in their permanent home within the first 8-10 weeks of living, although there are some dog breeders that believe that puppies should not be placed on their permanent home when they are 12 weeks, especially if they are of the small breed . There are even laws, in some places, wherein puppies are not allowed to be taken away from their mothers before reaching 8 weeks. Puppies are also more fearful of any change during the periods of 10-12 weeks thus making it harder for them to adapt to a new home.
Starting dog obedience training and puppy socialization is critical as soon as the puppy gets to his permanent home.
Have a great "dog training" day,
Dr. Mayra Alfonso
