| Please keep in mind that these phases of your | | | | fighting that can get taken too far. But on the other |
| puppies growth are very basic generalizations, | | | | side, your housebreaking training will become easier |
| different dog breeds will progress at their own | | | | as your puppy is learning to control their bowel and |
| natural pace. | | | | bladder movements as well feeling more relaxed and |
| Please do not assume that any instructional article or | | | | being able to sleep through the night. |
| book contains the exact time frames and milestones | | | | This is also a good time to begin leash training and |
| of your pets development. Like you, like people, your | | | | the teaching of basic commands, sit, stay, |
| dog is also unique. | | | | down,come, etc., which will become reinforced |
| The Afterbirth Phase: 0 - 4 Weeks Old | | | | behaviors through your positive responses. How you |
| Oh, its so exciting, you have a new puppy. Your | | | | teach and respond to your puppy will influence their |
| puppies eyes will start to open, and you will watch | | | | behavior in the years to come. |
| them begin to respond to sounds, light and | | | | The Terrible Twos Phase 3 - 6 Months Old |
| movement within their new environment. They begin | | | | Just as human babies, toddlers, are often renowned |
| trying to 'learn their legs', how to move around. They | | | | for going through what is called the 'terrible twos, |
| start bonding with their mother and other | | | | your puppy will also begin to assert their |
| puppymates, while becoming accustomed to their | | | | independence. By now you have just spent quite a |
| litter box. As much as you want to pick them up, | | | | bit of time on their training, dedicated hours towards |
| cuddle them and take them around the house with | | | | bonding and now, again, you will have to readjust. |
| you, its pretty important for the first month plus, to | | | | Depending on their nature, your puppy will test the |
| leave with them with their mother. You will have | | | | limits and try to assert their dominance over your |
| years and years to spend with them. This is a good | | | | commands and authority. It may appear that their |
| time to start learning patience with your new doggie, | | | | natural urge to please you has all but disappeared. |
| your going to need it. | | | | Just like that, you are ignored. Now is the time for a |
| Around the third to fourth week you will really begin | | | | patient, yet firm hand. Let them know you are the |
| to notice your puppies senses will start to go beyond | | | | leader of the pack and continue with a stronger |
| their litter box and become more alert to a wider | | | | reinforcement of training and commands. Another |
| environment. They really begin to recognize things | | | | technique is to play hard to get, ignore them for a |
| and faces, especially yours, as well as other family | | | | few minutes, if they do not expand to your |
| members. They are starting to learn and develop | | | | instructions. |
| their own dog sense during this time. | | | | It is not only their mental dominance trait that is |
| It is important to not have any unusually loud noises, | | | | occurring, for bigger dogs they start to feel their |
| unnecessary excitements, such as arguments, or any | | | | own strength and will want to challenge you. While |
| very rapid changes around your puppy. Your puppies | | | | you might be playing at wrestling or tug of war, they |
| development is very sensitive at this time. While you | | | | may be actually testing too see who is stronger. |
| should not walk around on your tiptoes, talk in a | | | | Even if you 'win' the contest, they may perceive that |
| whisper or avoid playing music or TV, as they need | | | | its permitted to 'fight' challenge you. Watch for this |
| to become accustomed to the regular sounds of | | | | type of challenge carefully, and if you feel like this |
| your household, you should be aware that their | | | | can become a serious situation, for the time being, |
| development and doggie personality can be | | | | stop these kinds of activities. Remember though, |
| negatively impacted if placed under undo stress. | | | | each dog is individual and testing their boundaries is |
| The Doggie Socialization Phase: 4 to 8 Weeks | | | | natural, so often times these kinds of activities are |
| Around this time frame the mother will begin weaning | | | | them just being playful. |
| her puppies and teaching them dog pack discipline. | | | | Unless your doggie is in a confined area, now is not |
| They will start learning the fundamentals of doggie | | | | the time to let them off the leash. Too many horror |
| pack socialization. They begin to understand that | | | | stories of young dogs just taking off have |
| mom is not just there to take care of their hunger, | | | | unfortunately lead to their own injuries and even |
| but that she is the leader of the pack. | | | | death. |
| As Mom weans them you can gradually begin to | | | | Also keep in mind that your dog is going through |
| start gradually feeding them. Ease them in to puppy | | | | very rapid physical and chemical changes, their |
| dog food slowly, their systems need time to adjust. | | | | 'teenage' hormones will be raging. There are both |
| During this period you can begin to handle your | | | | pros and cons to having your doggie spayed or |
| puppy daily, but even though you are still excited at | | | | neutered and you will have to do some research to |
| this time, and want to cuddle them, they should not | | | | conclude what will be best for both you and your |
| be separated more than 15 minutes daily from the | | | | pet. |
| litter. They are still learning doggie socialization, how | | | | They will be experiencing a painful teething cycle, and |
| to play with their mates, how to bite in a playful way | | | | will need plenty of things to chew on. So be prepared |
| and general puppy mannerisms. | | | | with things like frozen dog bones and other |
| If you want your puppy to grow up into a well | | | | recommended items or face the prospect of having |
| adjusted dog, and who doesn't, it is very important | | | | some of your valuables chewed up. |
| to leave your puppy with its mom and litter mates | | | | During this phase your doggie may come across as a |
| for at least two months and if possible, a bit longer. | | | | brat, so make sure you keep as much a check on |
| There have been studies showing that puppies which | | | | yourself as you do on your pet. |
| have been removed from the litter prematurely tend | | | | The Almost Grown Up, but Not Just Yet Phase 6 - |
| to be more nervous, have a tendency to bite and | | | | 18 Months |
| bark more frequently, as well as having a little more | | | | Your dog is just bursting to the seams with energy |
| difficult time being trained, compared to puppies that | | | | and looks like a full grown adult - dog, but remember |
| were able to mature properly within the litter. | | | | that they have not completely developed. They still |
| Fear not, Little Doggie Phase Weeks 9 -12 | | | | have many experiences and activities they will need |
| Your may have to re-experience many things you | | | | to learn from. And you can help them. |
| thought you and your puppy has, been there - done | | | | Encourage them to meet other people and let them |
| that, lets move on to the next phase. And its up to | | | | interact with other dogs in a non-aggressive manner. |
| you to re-adjust. While your dog is quite capable of | | | | This phase is a good time to start with their |
| learning very quickly, many dogs become very afraid | | | | advanced training in an activity you would like to |
| of the very things that just seemed normal not so | | | | interest them in. |
| long ago. It seems like your taking a step backwards, | | | | If you have been patient and yet firm with your |
| so it is important that you take this in stride and | | | | puppy, you will now be able to experience many |
| make sure not to over-discipline your doggie. | | | | golden years with your new companion. |
| There will be housebreaking boo-boos and play | | | | |