Introducing the Puppy

Early Development Suckle soon after birth First week – suckle/sleep Second week – begin to crawl End of third week – running around Eyes open – 12 – 14 days Four weeks – start to play with each other and toys

Early Days Socialisation Two – Three weeks is the transitional period. Pups are aware of sensory stimuli. Handling by humans and socialisation to noises & other pets should begin Three – Five weeks Mum starts to ‘train’ pups & will reprimand by growling Three – Four weeks Pups start to communicate with each other, tail wagging, barking Four – Five weeks Pups start playing predatory games with litter mates

Puppies at Eight – Fourteen Weeks Crucial to puppies future development Ian Dunbar suggests, Before 8 weeks of age a puppy should be handled by at least 100 people Between 8 & 12 weeks a puppy should be handled by a further 100 people I’m not sure if many puppies actually achieve that total of human handlers but it does highlight the need for lots of positive human contact early on in puppy’s life.

Early Weeks for Puppy If we refer back to the Silver Fox study we can see how important it is for puppies to be socialised well, before they get to the age where wariness and anxieties begin to develop. This early period of time is crucial for socialisation but how puppies are bred and the facility available to the mum for weening can have a major impact on future training such as toilet training. Good care of a pregnant bitch is also vital, not just for the health of mum and her pups, but pups future social development can also be influenced in uterus. Socialisation of course is not just about people handling but has many other aspects too.