Puppy development
"When you bring home a puppy, a lifelong friendship begins"
Betsy Brevitz
PUPPY DEVELOPMENT
From birth onwards, the puppy goes through various developmental phases that are very important in shaping the little one.
In the first two weeks, his behavior is mainly guided by innate instincts, but shortly thereafter he will increasingly perceive his environment with all the new impressions and stimuli.
These influences and experiences that the little dog then has with its environment will largely determine its development and therefore its later characteristics and behavior.
It is also a special task of the breeder to influence these phases as optimally as possible and to promote the development of the puppy.
THE FIRST 2 WEEKS VEGETATIVE PHASE
After the little puppy is born and has been thoroughly cleaned by its mother, it has to overcome its first small challenge. Its first path leads directly to its mother's teats, it has to assert itself against its brothers and sisters from its litter and claim its place. It has been proven that this is an enormous stress that the puppy goes through, but this first fight is very important. The newborn has achieved its first success through its own efforts and has been rewarded with satiety.
The first two weeks of the little puppy's life will be marked by finding mom's teats, gaining strength and achieving stability. His eyes and ears are still closed and his sense of smell is probably barely developed. He is still very dependent on his mother's warmth and care, which she gives him with passion and devotion. As fragile as the little puppy appears, he is full of life energy.
3. WEEK THE TRANSITION PHASE
The so-called transition phase, which I call a "phase of existence", is about the perception of the little puppy. The ears and eyelids slowly open, he begins to perceive his surroundings more and more, and his milk teeth begin to break through.
He is here now...
His life no longer consists only of eating and sleeping. It takes a few days until this opening phase is complete.
By then, the puppy has also gained a certain basic trust through the warmth of the nest, lying close together with its siblings and the intensive care of its mother, which is very important for its further development.
These first three weeks are a relatively quiet time for the breeder. He looks after the little one every day, checking its weight and observing its well-being.
4TH - 12TH WEEK THE IMPRESSION AND SOCIALIZATION PHASE
Now it is time!
The puppy has now grown well and its eyes and ears have fully opened, it can hear and see. Its body temperature regulates itself and it can even pee on its own... now the whole world is open to it.
Through the many impressions that are revealed to the puppy, they learn and process an incredible amount. They start to play, explore, wrestle and the first little fights for dominance begin. This phase is not called the imprinting phase for nothing; now formative impressions are created and basic behavior patterns are developed. Everything (positive) that the puppy learns now will be imprinted in its brain, it will be able to cope better with a variety of situations in its life and will be less anxious.
Close contact with people, children and other animals, such as cats, should be particularly maintained so that the little dog can build a healthy relationship with its environment.
This is precisely where the breeder has a great responsibility. During this time, he has his little protégé under his care and a large part of the little puppy's imprinting phase is also his responsibility. Breeders whose puppies only know a quiet room without life and who, out of sheer caution, hide the "life outside" from the little ones, are really doing the little ones and their future owners no good.
3RD - 5TH MONTH SOCIALIZATION, RANK AND PACK PHASE
The primary socialization phase is now established, but this transition period is still very important for his social behavior. He still needs good contact with people, animals and the environment.
By now the puppy will have already moved into its new home. This is a big change in the little dog's life, as it is the first time it will be standing on its own two feet and no longer has its protective mother with it. However, a well-socialized puppy will not have any major problems adjusting. It is ready to learn, explore and integrate.
Because of his urge to explore the world, he wants to play, romp, move and get to know new people, which has an extremely positive effect on his psyche and his health.
Now the puppy has to find its place in the new community; it will integrate into its "new pack". This offers it stability and stability.
This is a very important time for the new dog owner; he can build a close bond with his new pet through lots of attention and close contact.
Please do not see the puppy as a cuddly toy that you literally "carry on your hands"; that would not do him any good. Because he wants to learn, do something for you and find his place.
Teach him a lot, show him a lot, keep him busy, play with your puppy, teach him good behavior and most importantly - show him, for example, while playing, who is the highest ranking (pack leader) in his new pack by telling him when the game starts and when it ends.
He will thank you with sincere affection and find his place with you.