Raising a puppy is a lot like child rearing. It’s a labor of love that can make you a little crazy at times. However, a little understanding of puppy development can go a long way towards helping you successfully train your puppy.
Experts say there are seven stages of puppy development. Keep in mind that every puppy is different, so your dog may not adhere exactly to the seven stages.
Stage one is thought of as the “Transitional Stage.” It covers the first two to three weeks of a puppy’s life. During this time, the puppy’s eyes will open. He or she will begin to respond to sounds, movements and light. The puppy begins crawling and learns to recognize mom and its brother and sisters.
Stage two is known as “The Almost Ready to Meet the World Stage.” This stage basically covers the third and fourth weeks of a puppy’s life. It is a time for sensory development. During this stage, puppies familiarize themselves with the surrounding environment. Contact with mom and littermates is very important during this stage.
Stage three, “The Overlap Stage,” covers the puppy’s progress during weeks four to seven. It is a critical time for social development and it is during this stage that puppies begin to learn discipline and manners. Mom begins weaning the pups around this time and it is a good time to begin introducing dog food. While it is a good idea to begin handling the puppies, don’t separate them from the litter for more than 10 minutes a day. Puppies who don’t spend enough time with their mother and littermates often develop into nervous dogs. They can become more prone to biting and barking.
Stage four is the “I’m Afraid of Everything Stage” and usually lasts from about eight weeks of age to three months. During this time, a puppy will learn a lot. Some will become fearful of things that did not bother them before. Loud voices and traumatic events can take their toll during this stage. Now is the time to begin teaching simple commands such as sit, stay, come, etc. Make sure your puppy receives social stimulation during this stage.
Stage five is the “Juvenile Stage” and lasts from three to four months of age. Puppies resemble toddlers during this stage and may test you with a show of independence. Keep your cool and gently reinforce training commands.
Stage six is the “Brat Stage.” This stage lasts from four to six months of age and is the time when your puppy will show his independence. The puppy is more apt to test you. Be prepared for the teething stage. Make sure you give your puppy plenty of things to chew during this stage. Puppies can be very “hardheaded” during this stage of development.
Stage seven is the “Young Adult Stage,” which lasts from six to 18 months. This is a wonderful time in your puppy’s life. It is important to remember that your puppy will now resemble an adult dog, but he or she still needs a lot of attention. Don’t let the size fool you! This is a good time to increase activities and take on advanced training. Be sure to socialize the dog with other canines and people.
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