Two American physiologists, professors John Scott and John Fuller, studied the stages of growth and conduct of dogs over a 20 year time-span and divided it into the following 5 periods:

 

a)      NEWLY BORN TO APPROXIMATELY 13 DAYS:

This is a difficult stage, as the puppies cannot see or hear whilst movement is very limited. The brain is under-developed and the learning possibility hardly exists. Yet they possess a super sense of smell!

b)      TRANSITION (3 TO 4 WEEKS)

The puppies start moving around and explore their immediate surroundings. They start to defecate (empty the bowels) and even exhibit playfulness amongst one another!

c)      SOCIALISING (3 TO 12 WEEKS)

This stage/period is probably the most important and has been proven to be the most critical phase in their socializing, i.e. that which the puppy learns from other dogs, people and different animals during this stage will determine (to a large extent), what he will reflect later in his life! It is of utmost importance that he be handled as much as possible by different people under varying circumstances, without causing him to be stressed or anxious. While growing up, this stimulates the development of a healthy disposition which will help him to cope with sudden change, as well as develop his brain /intellect. The mother and her young must preferably not be separated before the age of 49 days (7weeks). The mother teaches her babies “doggy-discipline” in her own, very special way, as only she can.

 

I have, for example, given a bitch a potion of meat on different occasions. She would not eat it, but immediately identify a puppy that had to get it. Whilst she waited for the little one to eat it, she would keep the other puppies at bay with a growl and a directing paw – that is how she discipline her young in a language which only a doggy-mom can speak!

 

However, it is as important that the little puppy’s new owner take him to his home at an age of between 7 and 9 weeks. This is to ensure that a strong, long-standing and permanent bond forms between the puppy and his new  family – it literally becomes a man – dog relationship. Where two puppies grow up together, the relationship between them develops as a “dog-dog” one, which is undesirable should you have a true family friend in mind!

 

A breeder who knows what he is doing, would study his litter so well, that he can tell potential buyers exactly what the individual puppy’s character and behavior is. The aggressive little one would have shown himself clearly, as would the one who follows everyone. A little one who comes up to you or even tugs at your shoelaces or flapping trousers, indicates a self-assured character, as this type of behavior will prove a dog who will never leave his owner in the lurch when danger is ominous. The likes of this temperament handles with more ease and shouldn’t present problems with discipline and obedience --- they ought to learn the desired responses and reactions which would make the ideal child- and family friend. A too friendly little puppy is undesirable, as it would befriend friend and foe-alike---not material for a suitable watchdog.

 

d)      THE YOUNG DOG (CHILDHOOD) (12 WEEKS – PUBERTY)

Keeping the dogs’ ancestors in mind, we know that the young of the wolf start exploring a larger terrain at this age. As they become stronger, the ability to hunt develops instinctively. As we are busy breeding a watchdog, this trait must be discouraged at all costs. Therefore it is imperative that the process of socialization must be continued – should we fail to do so, the dog could relapse into its inborn instincts inherited from the primeval ancestors.

 

e)      ADULTHOOD (PUBERTY – DEATH)

Differing from the wolf that has to rely on himself and ends as a loner, the adult dog develops in absolute harmony with man (his owner) in whatever he does. You, the owner, will be called to answer to the actions of that which was entrusted to you. You will experience to what extent you were successful in being instrumental in shaping the temperament of that beautiful little puppy which you acquired and raised with so much effort and zeal.