|
Molding Your Pup's Temperament
 We believe that environmental and social experiences make a lasting impression on developing puppies. A puppy has many important stages of development that will shape its personality and temperament; from birth to eight weeks of age---and into adulthood. Have you ever experienced a 'kennel dog' that is nervous and paces, won't make eye contact or allow you to pet it? Now think of a well socialized and nurtured puppy that is easy going and comes to everyone! That is the ideal in temperament and the focus of our unique socialization program.
Let's take a look at the different stages of a puppies life while it is with us! Lack of experiences and exposure to human touch during the formative weeks will shape the temperament of your pup for the remainder of its life:
Birth -2 weeks old::
Puppies cannot regulate their body temperature at this time, or eliminate without their mother's stimulation. They cannot see or hear yet, although are aware of direct contact and touch. Our newborns are raised in our bedroom, where it is quiet for mom to have a relaxing place away from the rest of the house for two weeks. We play the television or radio on low throughout the day for her, and we are able to carefully monitor our puppies throughout the night to watch for any important issues.
It is extremely important to handle a puppy during days 1-16 and has been proven to produce 'Super Dogs' (as stated in our Bio-Sensor/ Super Dog Program.) Dogs exposed to this regime are better equipped to handle stress and more social; able to learn quicker than those without this stimulation. Mild stress at an early age has even been proven to increase brain size. (Please refer to the program on our Adoption Policy Page)
2-3 Weeks::
The Eyes and Ears start opening. They are now able to hear and respond to taste and smell. New surfaces are introduced into the whelping box, soft stuffed toys, and they are moved from our bedroom into the main living room of our house. We spend time talking and handling the puppies, to acclimate them to human touch. We also hold the puppies on their backs and cradle them, rubbing their tummies. This 'submissive' hold comes of great importance later on for our families when training their puppies! A well socialized pup should relax when held this way, and feel comfortable in their owners hands. We begin introducing the puppies to different surfaces---for short periods of time at first. The carpet, hardwood floors, leather furniture, sofa. We softly play the TV throughout the day to acclimate them to the goings-on of a busy household.
3-7 Weeks::
This is where the puppies really begin to learn to act like a dog! The importance of their relationship to their mother and litter mates is huge. They will learn how to behave from mother, she will discipline them and they will learn to submit to her. Mother will start the weaning process around 4 weeks old. We do not believe in early weaning, and we start feeding solids at 4 weeks, but continue to allow mom to nurse puppies as often as she likes. She will start leaving them alone more and more as they get older, to teach them independence. Puppies will learn to interact with each other through playing, wrestling, play-biting. This time is very important in their development, but it is equally as important to be handled by humans.
Raising a litter in a kennel, or with mom alone with little to no human contact is a sign of a puppy miller, not a quality home breeder.
Depending on each pup in the litter, weeks 5-8 is the range for a puppy temperament test. The brain waves of the puppy are the same as a mature dog, but the puppy has not had any outside influences to slant his view. The test is an excellent, reliable measure of their suitability for whatever role in life they are expected to fulfill. It is an excellent aid in placing puppies in compatible pet homes.
From about three weeks of age when the learning stage begins, to 14-16 weeks of age, the character of a dog is formed. No matter how good his inherited character traits, if they are not socialized during this period, they will never be as good a dog as they could have been. It is also necessary for you to understand that a poorly bred pup will not have the basic foundation needed to benefit anywhere near as much from this early training. A poorly bred pup is not capable of reaching it's maximum potential.
Puppy Socialization and Habituation::
Socialization and habituation should be a well planned, systematic occurrence, and not a haphazard situation with random happenings. The puppy's exposure to environmental stimuli should be of the utmost importance to a quality breeder to ensure the best chance of it developing a sound temperament and capacity to cope in all circumstances. We realize this is a very important responsibility as your breeder, and do not take it lightly. Quality breeders will make themselves responsible for explaining the importance of socialization and habituation to new families.
The prospective adoptive family can check for themselves that some degree of socialization and habituation has taken place. If they have the opportunity to visit the puppies in person, and have sought a breeder that will allow visits, they can observe the dam and her puppies in their environment. We love to have families visit when they can and welcome them to meet our furkids.
Questions should reveal the breeder's awareness of the need for a puppy's environmental enrichment, but the true test of the puppy's socialization is the reaction of the puppies themselves! They should appear to be content and confident, depending on age, you may catch them in a state of napping, etc, but if you plan to stay a while you can catch the puppies in a playful time where best to gage their reactions to stimuli. Young puppies of certain breeds do shake when held at first, and this is to be expected in most small breeds, but they should acclimate quickly and settle in. A few simple tests, such as the clapping of hands, the dropping of car keys etc. will also enable the prospective buyer to gage how well habituated the puppies are by observing their reactions to new sounds. A slight reaction to the sound (ex. jumping, looking, starting, etc) and a quick recovery from the surprise is ideal. Most important of all reactions is the puppies' response to the presence of strangers. A little shyness is OK in the beginning for a young pup, but are they shying away and running away from you? Do they act like they have never been held and seem stiff? Or do they snuggle up to you and settle down once you hold them? The latter is the sign of a socialized pup. They should be willing to approach and investigate the newcomers and be happy to allow themselves to be handled.
| 