Puppy Personality Development.pdf
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DOG ST R DAILY
Personality Development
- The Pup is Parent of the Dog -
Ian Dunbar PhD, MRCVS
All owners hope that their young pup will develop into a
happy-go-lucky, well behaved, good-natured adult dog that
above all, lives to a fine old age. Without a doubt, appropriate
puppy education is the single most important factor to ensure
this outcome. The nature of the puppy's socialization and
training depends very much on the changing physical and
mental capabilities and constraints during the various stages of
personality development from birth to maturity.
Ease of learning changes considerably throughout a dog's
development. Just as very young puppies commonly experience
difficulties trying to master and remember new obedience
instructions, older dogs often show similar severe learning
constraints when attempting to change their behavior and
temperament. For example, it is much harder to teach an older
dog good habits, if he has already been allowed to develop bad
ones. Moreover, modifying temperament problems becomes
progressively more difficult as the dog grows older.
Socialization, confidence building and temperament training must be accomplished during
puppyhood. So many training and behavior problems are created within the first week the pup
is at home and so, think ahead — a spoonful of prevention is worth buckets of cure. Without a
doubt, education is the key to effortlessly and enjoyably raise a good-natured and well-
behaved adult dog. To allow a puppy to achieve his full potential, intelligent owners must
know exactly what they are going to do vis a vis the pup's educational curriculum and social
agenda, before they acquire a new puppy. Extremely intelligent owners will make sure they
know exactly what to do even before they chose a puppy. Attend a number of local puppy
classes to educate yourself. By observing the pups and chatting to their owners you will quickly
get an idea of what to expect.
Stages of Development
Following John Paul Scott and John Fuller's pioneering studies on dog behavior, puppy
development has been traditionally divided into five fairly distinct stages:
1. Neonatal (birth - 2 weeks);
2. Transitional (2-3 weeks);
3. Socialisation 3-13 weeks);
4. Adolescence (13 weeks - 6 months);
5. Adulthood.
A neonatal or newborn pup is equipped to do little but suckle and sleep. During the transition
period, the pup's eyes and ears open and he begins to move about. The puppy becomes
progressively more aware of his environment, such that by the end of the third week,
littermates begin to establish important social relationships, which are the harbingers of the
social hierarchy of adult dogs. The bitch gradually becomes less important to the puppies and
the period of socialization arbitrarily terminates after weaning. The adolescent period extends
until puberty, whereafter the dog attains sexual maturity.
Developmental Transition
Scientists divide development into separate stages largely for descriptive convenience.
However, development is a continual and dynamic process: Dogs do not abruptly leave one
stage and enter another, rather the progression is smooth and the stages overlap considerably.
Few puppies conform to the precise developmental time table described by scientists and
pinpointing developmental dates, such as a hypothetical “fear imprint” period to a specific
week, let alone a specific day, really is as simplistic as it is unrealistic. Specific transitional
dates represent averages of many dogs and the very existence of even a single individual
“textbook” dog à la Dr. Spot is highly unlikely.
In reality, a dog's behavior and temperament are always in a state of flux, or developmental
transition. For example, puberty is not a precise point separating puppyhood from adulthood
but rather, puberty is a progressive developmental process per se — an ongoing period of
social as well as sexual maturation, starting as early as 18 weeks and lasting until two years of
age in small dogs and up to three years of age in the larger breeds. It would be more accurate
to describe the dog's entire lifespan as a single extended transitional phase of development.
Critical Period of Socialization
Some researchers have termed the socialization stage as the “Critical Period” believing it to
be so incredibly important for the dog's behavioral development. Indeed, the period of
socialization is critical in terms of its crucial importance in producing a friendly companion
dog. After the eyes and ears have opened, the pup is literally bombarded with new and
intriguing stimuli and experiences, which exert a maximal and long-lasting effect on shaping
the dog's future personality and temperament. However, the socialization period is not
critically restricted to the arbitrary and limited 3-13 week time constraints as suggested by
original researchers
Basically, in any young animal, whether precocious or altrical, the earlier the experience, the
more crucial its role in the development of the adult's future temperament. And so is the case
with dogs. Both the magnitude and the permanence of the effects of experience decrease as
the puppy grows older. Specifically, physical and social stimulation during the first six weeks
of a dog's life is of the utmost importance for forming and modifying the dog's adult
temperament. However, since pups are essentially blind and deaf when born, visual and
auditory stimuli were considered to be of minor experiential importance during the first two or
three weeks of life. Consequently, the Critical Period of Socialization was deemed not to
commence until three weeks of age. But neonatal puppies actually can see and hear to some
extent. Also they can smell, they can taste, and they can feel. Therefore, early tactile and
olfactory/gustatory stimulation are vitally important and to all intents of purpose, social
development begins at birth. Similarly, citing 13 weeks of age as the termination of the Critical
Period was merely an arbitrary decision made by researchers — a decision which had very little
relevance to the social world of companion dogs. In reality, the period of socialization never
ends. When socialization continues, dogs become even more socialized, whereas when
socialization is discontinued (e.g., when dogs are kenneled, or not walked regularly), dogs
gradually de-socialize until eventually they may become fearful, asocial, or even antisocial.
If as adults, dogs are to be expected to amiably socialize with other dogs and people, then
especially during the impressionable Critical Period, i.e., as early as possible, puppies should
be exposed to a wide variety of sociable and friendly dogs and people. This might sound
obvious, but all too often, the obvious is neglected.
Applied Behavioral Stages of Development
From a pet owner's perspective and especially with regards the ease of training and the
prevention of potential behavior and temperament problems, development could be simplified
into three stages: 1. Socialization; 2. Adolescence; and 3. Adulthood.
The period of socialization and training lasts for the dog's entire life. Behavior never remains
the same, it is always changing — sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. No
matter how friendly and well behaved your dog, always continue socializing and training —
there is always room for improvement. Perfection is a worthy, yet illusive and Sisyphean goal.
Moreover, if the dog's education is discontinued, his demeanor will likely deteriorate. Indeed, a
dog may become a delinquent virtually overnight when he collides with adolescence, or he may
become crotchety during old age.
Doggy adolescence is an abrupt and cataclysmic, yet extremely protracted period of change,
starting as early as 18 weeks and sometimes dragging on until three years of age. (At least this
state of affairs is not as bad as in the human male, wherein adolescence may persist for a
lifetime!) Inadequate socialization and training during puppyhood makes its mark during
adolescence. Characteristically, minor puppy rambunctiousness and rumbustiousness become
manifested as major-league unruly behavior — jumping up, pulling on leash, hyperactivity,
incessant barking and heavy duty household destruction. More disturbingly, the puppy's lack
of confidence may rear its ugly head as fearfulness and/or aggression to other dogs or people.
Luckily, incipient adolescent problems may be nattily nipped in the bud by intelligent puppy
training. However, even if your adolescent dog still remains a paragon of puppy good manners
and exquisite temperament, do keep socializing and training. Remember, early socialization
during puppyhood has enabled you to continue to socialize and control your dog as an
adolescent and so, by the same mark, continue socializing and training throughout
adolescence so that you may further continue to socialize your dog during adulthood.
If, on the other hand, a puppy's early education were insufficient or inappropriate, adolescence
usually represents a period of frantic retraining. If this is the case, get to it and enroll in an
adolescent class right away and nip these problems at the early flowering stage. Otherwise, the
problems will get worse as the dog grows older — much worse in fact!
At long last, by three years of age, most dogs start to achieve social maturity — adulthood —
delightfully dependable, calm, controlled, well-behaved, happy and friendly adulthood, which
drifts into the dog's glorious sunset years. The dog's adulthood is a time for both dog and owner
to reap the benefits of early puppy education, especially for the owner to enjoy the dog's good
company, marvel at his endearing personality and to showcase his golden doggy demeanor.
Looking at development from an applied viewpoint, it is apparent that socialization, and
especially puppy socialization, is the sine qua non of doggy husbandry — the hallmark of
successfully raising a well adjusted canine companion. Certainly socialization, training, and
education last forever, but from a couple of important practical considerations, (namely the
puppy's current residence and his level of immunity), early puppy socialization and training may
be divided into three separate substages — each with differing yet quite distinct objectives.
Applied Substages of Early Socialization
Neonatal pups are pretty fragile and helpless critters — they are barely ambulatory and have a
number of sensory constraints. This does not mean to say socialization is out of the picture. On
the contrary, neonatal pups are extremely sensitive and impressionable, and neonatal and early
puppy socialization is of paramount importance, but it must be done carefully and gently.
Obviously the youngster is not yet sufficiently resilient to physically “run with the pack” and so,
apart from interactions with the mother and littermates, dog-dog socialization must be put on
hold for a while. This partial social vacuum offers an ideal opportunity to concentrate on
desensitizing the puppies to the physical aspects of the home environment (especially noises) and
to embark on the most important aspect of canine husbandry — socializing dogs with people.
Unfortunately, by the time the puppy is old enough to start to play with other dogs, his
immunity against the more common and serious canine diseases reaches an all-time nadir. By
six weeks of age, puppies have an extremely depleted maternal immunity but have yet to
acquire sufficient active immunity from their puppy shots. Until the pup has received, at the
very least, a couple of puppy shots and has developed adequate immunity, it would be too silly
to risk the pup venturing onto the streets, where he may come into contact with other dogs
and/or their eliminatory products (which may be contaminated with bacteria and viruses). Thus
unless there are other vaccinated adult dogs at his new residence, until the puppy is old
enough to safely venture onto public property, he often lives within a complete social vacuum
in terms of dog-dog interactions. This offers yet another ideal opportunity for the new owner
to concentrate on pet dog training's prime directive — intensive dog-human socialization.
1. Original Home
Most puppies have adequate opportunity to socialize with their dam and littermates during
their first few weeks. Additionally though, regular (several times a day) handling, gentling and
calming by a wide variety of people (especially children, men and strangers) should be an
essential ingredient of puppy husbandry, especially during the early weeks and especially with
those breeds which are notoriously tricky when handled by strangers.
Exposure to a variety of sights and sounds should commence well before the eyes and ears are
fully opened, especially with sound-sensitive and hand-sensitive breeds. Keep the television
tuned to ESPN (male voices, shouting and screaming), or the occasional rock radio station. In
order to prepare puppies for domestic living and desensitize them to noises and other
household stimuli, it is essential the litter is raised indoors. If not, you will be playing catch-
up before you even start the socialization timetable.
2. New Home — Puppy Younger than Three Months
Until the puppy has acquired sufficient active immunity, it is too risky to allow her to socialize
with dogs of dubious immunization history, or dogs which have been in contact with the urine
and/or feces of potentially infected dogs. Instead, during this time, concentrate fully on
socializing the puppy to people. Never forget: Being accepting and friendly to people is the
most important requirement of any companion dog.
Do not keep the pup a secret. Invite people home to meet the puppy. Invite family, friends, and
neighbors. Of course, maintain routine hygiene at all times and certainly insist guests leave
outdoor shoes outside and wash their hands before handling the puppy. But, during this
impressionable phase of pet ownership, parties chez puppy should be de rigeur. Make sure to
invite a few different people each day. It is not sufficient for the pup to meet the same people
over and over, the puppy needs to grow accustomed to happily meeting at least a dozen
strangers each day.
Have all the visitors handfeed dinner kibble while handling the pup. Carefully supervise all
children. Instruct visitors how to use the kibble as lures and rewards to teach the pup to
come, sit, lie down, stand, and roll over. In particular, insist all visitors practice teaching the
puppy a few canine social graces, especially to sit when greeting people. Do not waste this
golden opportunity: Rock solid temperaments are forged during this period.
3. New Home — Puppy Over Three Months
As soon as it is safe for the puppy to go on walks — take her on walks — lots of walks. There is
no better overall socialization exercise and there is no better training exercise (teach the dog
to sit or lie down every twenty yards or so), than the good old dog walk. And as an added
benefit, dog walks are good for human health — good for the heart and good for the soul.
Walk that dog! And, tie a pink bow to his collar and you will not believe the smiles you see and
the new friends you make. A by-product of socializing your dog is a quantum leap in your own
social life.
Also, the time is nigh to enroll the pup in a number of puppy play groups and puppy training
classes. Singleton pups and puppies from small litters especially require socialization with
other puppies and dogs at the earliest safest time. But above all, it's time to get out and have
fun with your dog. For puppy classes in your area contact the Association of Pet Dog Trainers
(www.apdt.com). And do not neglect your periodic Puppy Parties at home. Continue teaching
all your friends, how to teach your puppy to come and sit etc. Why train the dog yourself?
Train your family and friends to teach your dog!
The most important quality in a pet dog is her temperament: A dog with a good temperament
can be a dream to live with but a dog with a tricky temperament is a perpetual nightmare.
Moreover, regardless of breed or breeding, a dog's temperament — vis a vis his feelings
towards people and other dogs — is largely the result of socialization (or lack of socialization)
during puppyhood — the most important time in a dog's life.
Just as William Wordsworth wrote, "the child is father of the man," it would be appropriate to
say: The pup is parent of the dog.
My heart beats fast when I can sniff
The odors on the grass:
So was it since the first prologue,
So is it now I am a dog;
So be it when I'm old and stiff,
Or let me pass!
The pup is parent of the dog:
And I wish my days to run
Bound each to each, domesticum.
©2006 Ian Dunbar
H
www.dogSTARdaily.com
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