Puppies Come With Instructions (PCWI)
Dogs go through five stages of emotional development: newborn (neonatal), transition, socialization, adolescent (juvenile), and adult. Pretty much all newborn puppies do is eat, sleep, and stay warm next to their mother where bonding occurs, just like newborn human babies. In the third week, or transition stage, the eyes open, the ears become functional, and baby teeth emerge. Also, they are ready to explore external stimuli from diverse environments shaping their behavior. They want to have fun burning energy and wrestling to see who will become the Alpha Dog of their pack. Then, they start looking for their mother to eat and take a nap. Puppies in this transitional period are capable of learning.
This socialization stage last through 12 weeks of age. It is the time of greatest influence on puppies. Their senses have kicked in and they are learning rapidly as they explore and experience their various environments. By the time the puppies are 16 weeks Dr. Pawsitive says, “What you see is what you get.” Both positive and negative patterns of behavior have been imprinted and temperament is obvious. After 16 weeks you will have to employ behavior modification relative to negative patterns of behavior.
