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Project #2
Puppy/Dog Development Stages
Stage 1- Neonatal Period:
This is the very first stage of a puppy's life. In this stage, puppies learn to coordinate, feel the world around them, and learn the most simple of social skills. In this stage, the pups mainly eat when they are not moving around. The pups learn most of these things from their mother and siblings. This period in the first 2 weeks of a pup's life.
Stage 2- Transitional Period:
This is the stage when puppies begin to develop their common senses/attributes to their common senses. They begin to open their eyes, wag their tail, grow teeth, and may even bark depending on their growth rate. In this stage, the average puppy begins to complete the task of going potty on their own. This period is during the 2nd-4th weeks of a pup's life.
Stage 3- Socialization Period:
In this stage, it is vital that puppies are able to play with other puppies. They begin to become more playful and aware of their surroundings, so revealing them to other friends avoids the chances of the pups becoming aggressive towards almost everything in the future.
It is important that puppies experience a lot of social activity during weeks 5-7. Allowing the pups to play with other dogs in these weeks will be vital to how well they interact in the future. During the first 8 weeks of a puppy's life, it is preferred that you keep them with their mother and siblings to allow them to learn how to play properly (EX. Play-biting). This stage is during the weeks 4-12 in a puppy's life.
Stage 4- Ranking Period:
This is the stage when puppies learn how ranking works among dogs and their packs. In your puppy's/dog's pack, you are included, which is why they may seem very playful or submissive to your commands.
Along with learning about submission, puppies tend to having issues with chewing around this period. Another issue that occurs in this period is that puppies begin to go through what is called a "fear stage". During this time, the puppy begins to fear more things, and if something detrimental occurs during this time, the puppy will somewhat be scarred for the duration of it's life if it encounters something similar to what scared it. This stage occurs during the 3-6 months in a puppy's life.
Stage 5- Adolescence Period:
Stage 5, or the final stage of a puppy, is the stage when a puppy fully understands who is in its pack. This pack may even contain you if you have been by the pup's side as it has been going through it development stages. Since the pup is still a pup, it may not know where it stands compared to you in the pack, which may lead to the pup challenging you more as it grows. During months 7-9, the pup may experience another chewing stage.
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