Puppy Personality Development.pdf

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.

www.dogSTARdaily.com

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