42. 7 stages of puppy development

The first people to write about puppy development were John Scott and J. L. Fuller in the forties, fifties and sixties. Later on, Clarence Pfaffenberger, with his book New Knowledge of Dog Behaviour, made these stages known to dog fanciers. He was followed by Jack and Wendy Volhard who are better known for their temperament tests but who also described the critical periods of the dog life in their book Training your
Dog, the Step by Step Manual. Finally, Drs Michael Fox and Ian Dunbar studied canine development and socialization extensively and later on, Dr Dunbar developed his own method of training based on his clinical and practical experience.
According to Pfaffenberger and Volhard, the dog goes through 7 important phases of development. The first 4 phases are the same for every dog, regardless of his size or breed. The later stages will occur at a somewhat younger age with a smaller dog.


1. Birth to seven weeks

It is essential for the full mental and psychological development of the puppy that he remains with his mother and his littermates for the first 7 weeks. This is when he learns to identify himself as a dog, proper dog conduct relative to biting, leadership, body posture language, etc... A puppy taken from his mother and adopted before he is 7 weeks old usually has some behavior problems and may be more nervous or aggressive toward other dogs. If he is further deprived from contact with other dogs, he might consider
himself as a person and refuse to be bred.


2. Socialization period (7 to 12 weeks)

This is the best age to introduce the puppy in a positive way to as many persons, things or noises as possible, especially those which he will encounter later in his life (persons of different stature or clothing, children, cats, other dogs, vacuum cleaner, traffic etc...). At this age, a puppy learns very fast and what he learns, he will retain permanently.
From the dog’s point view, this is the best age to go to a new environment since it is at this time that he adapts the most easily to a new situation and forms deep and permanent bonds.


3. Fear imprint period (8 to 11 weeks)

This stage occurs during the socialization period. Traumatic, frightening or painful situations have to be avoided at this age for they tend to give lasting impressions. Surgery, travelling alone on a plane, and rough handling or other possibly traumatic experiences should be avoided at all costs. If the puppy has to go to the vet, he should be handled gently and reassured so this experience remains positive. Some puppies
who have had theirs nails cut too short at this time resent the procedure to the point of panic later on.


4. Seniority period (12 to 16 weeks)

From 12 to 16 weeks, the puppy tries to determine who will be the pack leader. Him or his owner ? Bad habits, especially those showing attempts to dominate such as biting, even in play or biting the leash when walked, have to be strongly discouraged whether one uses positive methods or traditional training. By knowing this period, we can easily understand that, contrary to what many people think, serious training should begin at this age.


5. Flight instinct period (4 to 8 months)

At this age, the puppy starts to be autonomous and get away from his mother ... or his surrogate mother, his owner. He wants to discover the world by himself, to be independent. This wish for independence can have negative impacts. If he realizes that he can win and go his own way when you call him without negative consequences for him, it will be very difficult afterwards to train him. That is why in traditional puppy classes, it is often recommended that the puppy permanently wear a buckle collar attached to a loose 15 foot cord so the puppy never has a chance to disobey when you call him. In Dr. Dunbar’s Sirius Puppy Training method, recalls with distractions and rewards are used extensively in all kinds of situation.


6. Second fear imprint period (6 to 14 months)

This period is not as critical as the first one. The owner may notice that the young dog is reluctant to try something new or is apprehensive towards something he knows already. The owner must reassure the puppy and sometimes go a little backward in his training so that the puppy gains confidence again.


7. Maturity (1 to 4 years)

During this stage, the owner will often notice that the dog tests his leadership again or starts to become aggressive toward other dogs. Firmness and continued training are essential to maintain proper behavior.