THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A PUPPY.
We got this list at the puppy course and I think it contains great information.
Imprinting
means influence on. Behaviour the dog is born with is developed
during certain time periods. This mean that the dog reacts in a
certain way within a certain age. We imprint our dogs their whole
life and with consideration to the imprinting periods we can
influence a certain development at a specific time period. We can
use the dogs' natural development and imprinting periods.
| 0 - 2 weeks | New born period | Needs food, sleep, protection, warmth. 100% dependent by the mother. React to heat-cold-smells. |
| 2 - 3 weeks | Changeover period | Senses and body develops. Sight at 12-14 days of age, hearing at 3 weeks age. Starts to move the body. |
| 21:a day | Imprinting starts | Wild dogs puppies are now leaving the nest. The social adjustment starts, the puppy will learn where it belongs. |
| 3 - 5 weeks | Pack imprinting | The puppies are positive, curious, starts to play. Contact with other dogs and people is now important. |
| 5 - 7 weeks | Domination imprinting | Plays hunting- and domination games. The "discovery-tours" gets longer. The bitch starts to race the puppies since they are now getting more and more anoying. Good to present another adult dog who can help the mother. It is of utmost importance that the puppies meets with humans now, preferably one and one. |
| 7 - 12 weeks | Leadership imprint | Learning can now start. Experiences will be permanent memorys. Higher tendency to flee. Discovers that things can be dangerous. |
| 12-16 weeks | Half sexual maturity | First period with problems. The hormones increases. This can express as aggresivity. The dog tries to climb in rang. The puppy has to be put in its place. It is now important to start the "environmental training" (see link). |
| 16 v. - 7 months | Calm period | The puppy "just" grows. This is a suitable time for learning (in a fun and easy way). It is important with "education". |
| 7 - 10 months | Physical sexual maturity | The dog starts to lift his leg, the bitch starts to be in heat for the first time. The hormones can make the dog aggressive and act strangely. The dog is not easy to train now but it is important that the ecucation continues. |