There is an age old debate about how old a puppy or how young a puppy can be before you bring them home. I was thinking the other day that maybe the blog needs a good post about the stages or phases of puppy development. This is an article that I was reading through and thought that I would post as it contains some interesting and important information on the phases of a puppy.
Please keep in mind that these phases of your puppies growth are very basic generalizations, different dog breeds will progress at their own natural pace.
Please do not assume that any instructional article or book contains the exact time frames and milestones of your pets development. Like you, like people, your dog is also unique.
The Afterbirth Phase: 0 - 4 Weeks Old
Oh, its so exciting, you have a new puppy. Your puppies eyes will start to open, and you will watch them begin to respond to sounds, light and movement within their new environment. They begin trying to 'learn their legs', how to move around. They start bonding with their mother and other puppymates, while becoming accustomed to their litter box. As much as you want to pick them up, cuddle them and take them around the house with you, its pretty important for the first month plus, to leave with them with their mother. You will have years and years to spend with them. This is a good time to start learning patience with your new doggie, your going to need it.
Around the third to fourth week you will really begin to notice your puppies senses will start to go beyond their litter box and become more alert to a wider environment. They really begin to recognize things and faces, especially yours, as well as other family members. They are starting to learn and develop their own dog sense during this time.
It is important to not have any unusually loud noises, unnecessary excitements, such as arguments, or any very rapid changes around your puppy. Your puppies development is very sensitive at this time. While you should not walk around on your tiptoes, talk in a whisper or avoid playing music or TV, as they need to become accustomed to the regular sounds of your household, you should be aware that their development and doggie personality can be negatively impacted if placed under undo stress.
The Doggie Socialization Phase: 4 to 8 Weeks
Around this time frame the mother will begin weaning her puppies and teaching them dog pack discipline. They will start learning the fundamentals of doggie pack socialization. They begin to understand that mom is not just there to take care of their hunger, but that she is the leader of the pack.
As Mom weans them you can gradually begin to start gradually feeding them. Ease them in to puppy dog food slowly, their systems need time to adjust.
During this period you can begin to handle your puppy daily, but even though you are still excited at this time, and want to cuddle them, they should not be separated more than 15 minutes daily from the litter. They are still learning doggie socialization, how to play with their mates, how to bite in a playful way and general puppy mannerisms.
If you want your puppy to grow up into a well adjusted dog, and who doesn't, it is very important to leave your puppy with its mom and litter mates for at least two months and if possible, a bit longer. There have been studies showing that puppies which have been removed from the litter prematurely tend to be more nervous, have a tendency to bite and bark more frequently, as well as having a little more difficult time being trained, compared to puppies that were able to mature properly within the litter.
