Transforming Puppies into Agile, Confident Dogs

This week is truly remarkable as the puppy’s transition into little dogs with agile minds and bodies. However, it’s also a time when they exhibit natural wariness, which is entirely normal. Proper handling during this phase is crucial for their confident development.

Let’s explore some key aspects of this week:

1. Learning Machines:

• Although not yet perfect, your puppies are connecting the dots. They’re starting to understand that certain actions (their own or others’) lead to specific consequences.
• Their nervous systems are completing myelination, while synaptic development and pruning lay the foundation for learning.

2. Canine Communication and Socialization:

• Puppies are actively learning how to communicate with other dogs. Social relationships are forming.
• Playtime becomes increasingly important, but you may also observe some agonistic or aggressive behaviors.
• Towards the end of the week, you might notice sexual behaviors like humping.

3. Natural Wariness:

• Puppies become more cautious, assessing the safety of their surroundings.
• Location sensitivity emerges—they feel hyperaware and comfortable within their home but less so elsewhere. To prepare them for life beyond your property, consider taking them on at least one field trip this week. Exposure to different environments is beneficial for their overall confidence and adaptability.

4. We begin desensitization exercises for car rides and grooming tools. Additionally, we continue handling exercises to prepare the puppies for vet visits and grooming sessions.

5. From now on, it’s all about introducing new experiences to the puppies—new objects, sights, sounds, and locations. Keep things interesting!

6. In the puppy room, we embrace noise: play audio recordings, vacuum around their pen, and have the TV or music on. Take the pups out to hear the dishwasher or washing machine but we ensure they can comfortably tolerate quiet moments.