Puppy Growth Stage. Puppy Obedience Training Tip.

Week 3 to 7 The Socialization stage: In this stage the puppy learns to behave like a dog. It sees, hears and smells pretty good, and the surrounding environment starts looking more and more appealing. Its mother and siblings are indispensable. If the puppy is separated from his pack before seven weeks, when it is full grown it will present some problems when socializing, won't be able to understand what other dogs are saying and be extremely aggressive with other dogs. On the other hand it will be utterly dependent on man. There are cases that since it doesn't feel at ease with its own species it will have a hard time mating. An insufficient socialization can also cause them fears, phobias and anxiety.At this stage games and mock fights help establish their own hierarchy. This constant fight for domination amongthem is even more intense in the following stage, which shows that if a litter is left together for more than twelve weeks it will be divided into the dominating and the dominated puppies, which isn't good for the future adults. As a result, it is very important that the puppies socialize during their first seven weeks, but they shouldn't be left together for too long. This is why the ideal time toacquire a puppyis at the end of the seventh week.

Human presence is just as important. It is recommended the breeder or owner touches them several times a day. An American researcher, showed that better results are achieved when you play with dogs separately, since this is when they start the process of individual conscience. On the other hand, Scott found that after the sixth week they can already be taught simple orders, for example how to walk on aleashor respond when being called.

• From day 21 to 25. Begin positive reflexes, functional hearing.
• Day 21 to day 90-120. Faces: strong connection to the mother, identification with their own species.
• From 3 to 5 weeks. The puppies are attracted by all living thing, no matter their species. It develops bonds with these individuals. After their 5^th week their attraction towards new being lessens, and at the same time it begins to feel aversion for them.
• Day 28. Moves their tail when their happy.
• Day 30 to 35. Begins to develop a controlled bite.
• Day 40 to 45. Begins sniffing for their next defecation.