It is great to have a dog who is well-balanced, self-confident and friendly to other people, kids and pets. Early experiences and introduction to different stimuli can prepare your dog for future encounters in life. There are some crucial moments in puppy development which you should take into considerations when taking care of your pup.

Primary socialization

At 3 weeks of age, puppies are getting mobile and independent. Eyes have opened and this marks a start in social interactions. This is a critical moment for a dog to learn his boundaries with other dogs, bite inhibition, submissive and playful behaviours. During this period, it is essential to expose your puppy to various sounds and stimuli. Introducing it to different experiences, such as car rides and bathing, can help prepare your puppy for future encounters. It is also essential to treat your puppy with care and patience, as it is still developing physically and mentally

Genetic Testing

A period between the 3rd and 5th week is great for introducing your puppy to different animals: cats, horses, humans of different sizes and ages and to strange things like umbrellas, vacuum cleaners and funny hats. Dogs at this age are fearless and bond easily. However, fora puppy meeting a baby, an 11-year-old kid and an elderly lady, it is like meeting 3 different species. Dogs do not generalise the different encounters as meeting humans, therefore at an early age, a puppy has to familiarise itself with all possible age groups.

Between the 3rd and 5th week of life environment enrichment, a lot of play time with other dogs and humans are crucial.

Secondary socialization

The secondary socialisation takes place between 6th and 12th week. The mother isn’t intensively involved in the puppy’s daily life anymore, stops feeding and tries to withdraw for longer periods. Puppies substitute mum’s presents with play among siblings. Through play, they learn to send and receive signals, boundaries, growl and snap control. This period is very important for skill development with other dogs. Dogs weened too early and raised in isolation from other dogs tend to be aggressive and get attacked by other dogs, due to its lack of social skills.

Fear

During secondary socialisation the most critical event in puppy development is fear. From the 8th week of the puppy’s life, the puppy starts to be afraid of novel things. This is where it needs a lot of positive reinforcement and support. We suggest whenever your puppy is in an unpleasant situation (like a vet visit, fireworks, etc) meet hits fear with laugh and distract it with a game. A soothing reassurance and hiding with your pup under the table just deepens the experience instead of making the situation something to be laughed at. We suggest that you walk your dog on the leash at least until it is 16 weeks old. So if it gets into any novel fearful situations you can easily take control over.

To help your puppy deal with fear, it is important to expose it to different situations gradually. Letting your puppy explore new environments at its own pace can help it feel more comfortable. Avoid forcing your puppy into situations that may cause it stress or anxiety. Instead, provide positive reinforcement and rewards for good behavior to help it build confidence

Between 12th and 16th week of life, the socialisation period is closing up. Dogs start to become wary of other pets and humans, that they have never met before. We suggest you start dog school before the 12th week and graduate with the elementary training. At this age, puppies are already able to concentrate on their tasks for longer periods.

Puberty

Depending on the breed, giant breeds tend to mature longer, but dogs’ puberty starts with 4 months and can last until 15 months (e.g. Saint Bernard puppies). At this age dogs are independent, testing the limits, hormones are kicking in and they start showing sexual behaviour . Keep continuing puppy training, take it everywhere with you and laying a good base for its adult life. A dog needs plenty of stimulation and physical activity. It detests boredom.

Adolescence

Some dogs are grown up at 10, others at 18 months. The growth has stopped, your dog is more concentrated and can work on complex tasks. Do not forget your dog needs a life long stimulation and learning obedience is possible at any stage of life, just requires more patience of yours.

Moving to a new home

Taking a puppy home too early can result in many behavioural problems – aggressiveness towards other dogs, possessiveness of toys and food, fearfulness. Most of the puppies are completely weaned at the age of 7 weeks, eat a solid diet. The first vaccination takes place at 8 weeks.

In our opinion, the best period to take a puppy away from its mum is between 8-12 weeks of age. A 5-6 week old puppy has to socialise with its siblings and learn rules of interacting with other dogs. An early separation may result in reactivity to other dogs. A home environment is stress-free and safe, so puppies are less prone to digestion upset and reactions to vaccines. However, the socialisation period starts closing between 12 and 16 weeks. So in order to build a strong bond with a new family, rehoming before the 12th week is suggested. The puppy is already mentally stable and able to adapt to new changes.

When bringing a puppy home, it is important to create a safe and comfortable environment for it to adjust to its new surroundings. Provide a crate or bed where it can sleep, and give it toys and treats to keep it occupied. Introducing it gradually to new people and situations can help it feel more comfortable and reduce anxiety. Remember to be patient and consistent with training, and your puppy will soon settle in and become a valued member of your family.

The Dogo app is a great helping tool when training your dog. Keep in mind, your dog needs socialisation with other animals and people.

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