The first three months of a dog’s life are called the developmental months
because it is during this time that almost all of the dog’s basic behavioral
patterns are developed. At least the first seven weeks of the puppy’s life are
the responsibility of the breeder. Beyond that age, the responsibility for
socialization shifts to the new owner. Each period has specific activities that
can help a puppy grow emotionally.
The Developmental Periods
There are three basic developmental periods in the first twelve weeks.
These periods are defined here by calendar time, but this doesn’t mean that
all puppies will begin each period on exactly the same day. There will be
variances depending upon the breed and upon individual differences within
the litter. Littermates usually catch up with each other, however, by the end
of the last period.
BASIC DEVELOPMENTAL PERIODS
Neonatal Period Transitional Period Socialization Period
Days 1–14
Birth to two weeks
Days 15–21
Two to three weeks
Days 22–84
Three to twelve weeks
In order for us to understand a puppy’s needs as he begins to grow, we
should become familiar with the characteristics of the different periods.
This chapter will cover the general description of each period. Chapter 4
will discuss the breeder’s role in raising puppies, and Chapters 5 and 6 will
deal with the new owner’s activities in taking a puppy to his new home.
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The Neonatal Period
1–14 days Key Puppy Behavior:
Spends 90 percent of time sleeping
Is susceptible to excess heat or cold
Crawls
Nurses
Seeks warmth of littermates and mother
Can usually right himself if turned over
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Needs stimulation for urination and defecation
During the neonatal period, the bitch is the main influence on the puppy.
Her health, milk supply, and attitude toward the pups and later toward
people who come to look at the puppies will influence the behavioral
development of the litter. If she is overly fearful or aggressive, this can be
imprinted on the puppies and their future behavior might be very similar to
hers, whether or not they were born with a fearful or aggressive genetic
trait. Thus, a behavior can be either genetically or environmentally derived.
At this age, the pup’s abilities are confined to sucking, vocalizing, and
crawling slowly. The senses of sight and hearing are not functional yet. The
eyes may begin to open around ten days of age but in most cases are not
open until about fourteen days of age.
The puppy learns about his environment through touch. You can observe
him crawling around, moving his head from side to side until he bumps into
his mother or a littermate. A puppy might crawl away from the bitch, but
she should be able to retrieve him by carrying him in her mouth, providing
he doesn’t crawl out of her sight or sound. Urination and defecation are
reflex responses that occur only when the bitch licks her puppies’ anal and
genital regions.
During this period, the pup is aware only of heat, cold, and pain. He is
not yet capable of regulating body heat efficiently and therefore needs his
mother and the other puppies to help maintain his own warmth. Even
though it looks as though the pups do nothing but eat and sleep, this is a
very important period. The central nervous system is rapidly developing,
getting ready for the next stage.
