Neonatal Phase (1-2 weeks)

Transcription

1 Puppy Develpment: Enrichment and Scializatin Often we hear the key wrds enrichment and scializatin, but what d they actually mean? Hw d we enrich and scialize ur puppies? Are there crrect and incrrect ways t d s? Am I at risk fr ruining my puppy? Hw much f a rle d genetics, persnality, age, breeder cnditins, hme envirnment, etc. play in my puppy s future? Let s explre these questins and g ver what, I believe, a slid puppy prgram shuld lk like. The Pawsitive Puppy Prgram is based n Jane Killin s Puppy Culture series, which cvers, in great detail, every develpmental phase and imprtant step t take with ur grwing puppies. I highly recmmend watching the Puppy Culture series, which yu can access thrugh the Puppy Prgram page n my site, t receive mre extensive infrmatin n yur develping pup. Definitins: Enrichment - Envirnmental enrichment is the prcess f prviding stimulating envirnments fr animals in rder fr them t demnstrate their species-typical behavir, t allw them exercise cntrl r chice ver their envirnment, and t enhance their well-being. Natural Scializatin - Natural scializatin ccurs when yungsters explre, play and discver the scial wrld arund them. Natural scializatin is easily seen when lking at the yung f almst any mammalian species (and sme birds). Planned Scializatin Planned scializatin ccurs when peple make plans fr teaching r training thers. Bth natural and planned scializatin can have gd and bad features: It is wise t learn the best features f bth natural and planned scializatin and weave them int ur lives and the lives f ur animals. Psitive Scializatin - Psitive scializatin is the type f scial learning that is based n pleasurable and exciting experiences. We tend t like the peple wh fill ur scial learning prcesses with psitive mtivatin, lving care, and rewarding pprtunities. Nenatal Phase (1-2 weeks) When puppies are brn, their eyes and ears are clsed This creates a very tactile creature that is primarily dependent n their sense f tuch and smell t navigate the wrld Puppies can als detect heat s the mment the mama dg cmes clse, they will squirm their way ver fr a meal Puppies cannt regulate their wn bdy temperature at this stage and need t be kept warm and in a small area where they cannt get t far frm the puppy pile Puppies need t nurse regularly t stay healthy Feed mm at least duble her nrmal fd intake t help supprt the nursing babies These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.

2 Weigh puppies daily t mnitr prper weight gain Make sure all puppies get turns t nurse, but allw them t wrk it ut amngst themselves if pssible Enrichment/Scializatin Prtcl Early Neurlgical Stimulatin (ENS) exercises shuld happen daily frm days 3-16 Tactile stimulatin - hlding the pup in ne hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the tes n any ne ft using a Q-tip. It is nt necessary t see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time f stimulatin 3-5 secnds. Head held erect - using bth hands, the pup is held perpendicular t the grund, (straight up), s that its head is directly abve its tail. This is an upwards psitin. Time f stimulatin 3-5 secnds. Head pinted dwn - hlding the pup firmly with bth hands the head is reversed and is pinted dwnward s that it is pinting twards the grund. Time f stimulatin 3-5 secnds. Supine psitin - hld the pup s that its back is resting in the palm f bth hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while n its back is allwed t sleep. Time f stimulatin 3-5 secnds. Thermal stimulatin use a damp twel that has been cled in a refrigeratr fr at least five minutes. Place the pup n the twel, feet dwn. D nt restrain it frm mving. Time f stimulatin 3-5 secnds. Transitinal Phase (2-4 weeks) Puppies eyes and ears begin t pen Usually eyes pen first, then a few days later, ears pen Puppies becme mre aware f their envirnment Puppies begin having mre cntrl ver their mvements and their ptty habits Until puppies transitin t slid fd, the mama dg will lick the puppies t stimulate them t ptty and t keep them clean As the puppies mature, they n lnger need mm t stimulate them, but she will ften still rush in t clean up the mess These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.

3 Enrichment/Scializatin Prtcl 3 weeks ld Allw mmma dg t get away frm whelping area t give her relief and teach puppies separatin frm mm Additinally, separate each puppy frm litter fr ne n ne time with yu Begin clipping nails and extensive bdy handling t desensitize and keep puppy nails shrt t prevent injury t mm r ther pups Add ptty area t pen t begin gd ptty habits and teach den cleanliness Keep rest f pen very clean t encurage ptty area usage Have family and clse friends play with, hld, and handle pups (keep in mind that puppies have nt yet had vaccinatins, but als shuld retain mm s immunity at this age use cautin and gd sterilizatin prtcl) Begin startle recvery exercises Puppies have the physical ability t startle but cannt yet feel the emtinal fear respnse assciated with startling Make lud nises, drp bjects, run vacuum, use hair dryer, etc This teaches puppies hw t physically recver frm startling nises and sights withut needing the training cmpnent t manage their emtinal state Begin ffering platters f liquid t slwly transitin puppies t eating n their wn Raw gats milk is recmmended, but pasteurized gats milk r milk replacer can als wrk (watching and listening t pwer tls at 3 weeks ld) Critical Scializatin Perid (3-12 wks) Starts when puppies are able t hear sund, ends when puppies are mre suspicius t new things and take many mre repetitins t desensitize t nvel stimulus Puppies shw maximum apprach and minimum retreat twards new stimulus Puppies d nt have brain capability t prcess fear until arund 5 weeks 5 week fear perid and 8 week fear perid dictate spikes in cautius behavir keep enrichment and scializatin exercises easy and fear free during these weeks t minimize future negative assciatins and trauma These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.

4 Puppies have single event learning during this time and will imprint n new stimuli/envirnments/exercises/etc. that are intrduced befre 12 weeks After 12 weeks, intrductins and emtinal cnditining will take MANY mre repetitins, if yu are able t be successful at all The better scialized a puppy during this phase: The easier it will be t intrduce new stimuli in the future The less likely the dg will develp fear/anxiety issues The fewer behaviral prblems will surface as the dg matures The better the dg s scial skills and cmmunicatin skills will be with animals and peple The mre calm and cnfident the dg will be thrughut its life The less time/mney/effrt yu will have t spend n training the dg in the future The mre likely the dg will stay in its hme vs getting returned t the breeder/rehmed/surrendered t a shelter/euthanized Enrichment/Scializatin Prtcl 4 weeks ld Begin mixing in slightly slid fd with gats milk and feed multiple times per day Kibble dust, pre-saked kibble, r grund meat are gd ptins Add a puppy call befre setting the fd n the grund This is a high pitched, rapid, repeating sund that helps encurage the puppy t cme t yu, plus helps them lcate the surce f the fd I use puppypuppypuppy! Upgrade t a larger weaning pen with ptty area We want puppies t begin mving arund, ging t a designated ptty spt, playing with littermates, and investigating enrichment items Enrichment items may include: Flded tarp, large plastic bttles, new crinkly r squeaky tys, slightly (nly a cuple inches, depending n size f puppies) elevated areas fr sleep and play, new textures t walk n, shiny items, nisy items, smelly items, etc Only add ne item at a time t avid verstimulatin and remve after puppies have thrughly investigated it These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.

5 Teach prblem slving skills Barrier exercise Using the end f an ex-pen r ther physical (but nt visual r smell) barrier, place fd bwl n the ppsite side f barrier frm puppy Let puppy figure ut hw t walk arund barrier t get fd Small levels f frustratin is k! As lng as the puppy eventually figures ut hw t access the fd, they will learn hw t wrk thrugh frustrating situatins Make this exercise INCREDIBLY simple t start by limiting the distance and prviding a very smelly fd reward Slwly add difficulty with each feeding if the puppy masters the previus level f difficulty Obstacle exercise Similarly, set up a physical bstacle in between puppy and fd bwl A speed bump that the puppies need t climb ver is a gd example Begin simple training exercises! Lad a clicker r marker wrd (clicker seems t wrk better fr the yung pups) Capture 4 n the flr (with click and treat) Capture a vluntary sit (with click and treat) Als d this with all f the puppies when yu walk up t the pen Mark and treat any puppy that sits and ignre ther pups Only d 1-2 minute sessins with each puppy Puppies shuld have at least 30 min f rest between sessins 3:1 rati f Rest:Active This rati helps puppies prperly prcess what they have learned and prevents unnecessary frustratin, puppy tantrums, and failed training sessins Their brains and bdies are grwing! Rest is crucial fr success. Overstimulated puppies are naughtier, chmpier, and less enjyable t wrk with Upgrade puppy pen Add crates with cmfy beds and pen drs These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.

6 Add passive enrichment equipment fr puppies t explre 5 weeks ld First (unfficial) Fear Perid Take things dwn a ntch but cntinue t enrich and scialize with methds described previusly Yu can help fearful puppies feel cmfrtable withut cddling. Make sure there are PLENTY f safe places t retreat t and that we are nt unnecessarily verstimulating If stimulatin was t severe and puppy is demnstrating true fear k t cmfrt and remve frm area Yu can als cunter-cnditin fear prducing stimuli by prviding puppy with fd rewards when in the presence f the stimulus Discuss methds with Kelsey if yu are nt sure hw t help puppy vercme fear Puzzles Use fd puzzles t increase cnfidence and teach puppies prblem slving skills Make a kibble trail that the puppy needs t fllw Use an pen plastic fd jar instead f a fd bwl that the puppy needs t rll arund r g int Use slw feeder bwls and Kng type tys as fd delivery methds Be creative but keep the difficulty level extremely lw in the beginning! 6 & 7 weeks ld Time fr a PUPPY PARTY!! This is the age where we want t really begin t push the scializatin aspect f puppy raising Bring MANY guests t the huse s puppies can experience a variety f human and dg based stimuli Hats Sunglasses Hds Umbrellas Beards Lng hair/shrt hair Varying ages Canes/walkers/crutches These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.

7 Different dg breeds Different dg ear types (pricked/flppy) Different dg cat types (lng/curly/shrt) Different face shapes (husky vs bxer) AND MORE! Make sure all expsures are psitive, if puppy has a negative experience with a particular stimulus immediately replace it with multiple psitive experiences with similar stimulus EX. tail accidentally gets stepped n by child find similar aged child t give puppy treats It is much mre imprtant t fcus n quality ver quantity when building the fundatin fr yur puppy s future Only use dgs that are gd with puppies meaning, they knw hw t shw avidance t cmmunicate cnflict reslutin vs adding a crrectin t reslve cnflict Puppies shuld nt be receiving crrectins at this stage keep interactins psitive! Having a literal puppy party with carefully chsen human and dg participants is a gd way fr puppies t get thrugh their checklist in a cntrlled, safe, and enjyable envirnment Als, having a party will help teach puppies hw t relax in a chatic and nisy setting Dn t frget the 3:1 Rest: Active Rati! Have ther peple deliver treats and d simple capturing exercises with puppy, s puppy als assciates fd cmes frm ther humans as well Add mre intense and challenging enrichment equipment Climbing n safe bstacles, stepping n unstable surfaces, adding tys that make strange nises r are animated, experiencing safe items falling/rlling, seeing the clthes tumble in a watching machine, standing in frnt f a fan, watching the lawn mwer r sprinkler in the yard, etc This is yur chance t really prepare puppies fr their future Dn t skip steps! Expse yur puppies t everything yu can think f! These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.

8 Spend mre time in the crate! This is SO imprtant fr puppies t practice Get a really high value chew (like a raw bne) r use a meal, place in crate with puppy, clse the dr and sit right utside crate, let puppy chew fr 30 secnds and take them ut The idea is that the puppy will want t g back in t finish eating Practice again later fr 1 min f chew time Practice again later fr 2 min f chew time If yur item is high value enugh, yu have been separating puppies frm litter fr training and handling exercises, and yu have had crates available fr sleeping in the puppy area this shuld be easy If puppy shws signs f distress, g back and practice simpler exercises Take the pups n the rad! Yu can start taking the puppies n trips befre this age als Add multiple car rides during this phase s puppies can experience traveling Vary the duratin and destinatin f car rides Feed high value chews, treats, and meals in the car G n a lng enugh car ride fr puppies t fall asleep (r spend enugh time parked in the driveway) Cntinue transitining t mre slid fd Pups shuld be weaning frm mm at this pint and are mre dependent n an additinal fd surce Puppies shuld be prvided with meals 4-5 times/day If feeding kibble, the kibble shuld be saked r crushed s the puppies are able t chew it Gradually, lessen the amunt f liquid in the meal and increase the slid fd until puppies are able t eat dry kibble Practice pttying utside Take puppies utside and give treat and excited praise EVERY time the puppy ptties utside Puppies are starting t hld it fr lnger s schedules becme mre apparent. Puppies will ptty after: Eating Drinking These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.

9 Waking up frm a nap After a play sessin And prbably abut every 20 min in between! Practice n different types f grund cver t prepare fr future travels Grass/Gravel/Pavement/Bark/Dirt/Shrubs/etc Als practice during different utdr cnditins Daytime/Nighttime/Rain/Heat/Snw/Lud utside nises/arund ther distractins/etc 8 weeks ld First fficial Fear Phase Be prepared fr puppies t shw mre fear/apprehensin/nervusness during this perid Cntinue t expse puppies t scializatin and enrichment stimuli but be careful nt t intrduce verwhelming stimuli r experiences at this time It is recmmended that puppies wait until after this phase befre being placed in hmes If yu acquire a puppy during this phase, keep intrductins t a minimum and try t make the transitin t a new hme as relaxing and easy as pssible D nt invite friends and family ver t meet the new puppy D nt take the new puppy ut t new places D fcus n acclimating puppy t new hme envirnment D fcus n intrducing puppy t immediate husehld members D practice all abve training/enrichment/scializing exercises prvided puppy is nt shwing signs f distress Add phermne cllars r wall plug ins t help sthe wrried puppies (DAP=dg affecting phermne) 1 st set f vaccinatins shuld be given arund this time (between 7-10 weeks), preferably nt during their fear perid 9-12 weeks ld Cntinue t scialize! This phase is the mst crucial fr scializing since mst puppies are placed in hmes arund this age Expsure t all family members and activities likely t ccur in the puppy s future is very imprtant Think abut creating psitive assciatins with a variety f stimuli in these categries: Dgs Peple Places Sights Sunds Smells These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.

10 Grund textures Other animal species Mdes f transprtatin Think abut expected future behavirs and begin training/managing the puppy t encurage gd manners and behavir Stacking fr a shw Handling by prfessinal vet/grmer Nt getting n furniture Settling while humans are busy Chewing n apprpriate items when bred Ging t specific ptty lcatin Allwing humans t trade treats fr bnes/tys/fd dish/etc Sitting when greeting Waiting at the dr and fr meals Climbing ramp r stairs t lad int car Wearing harness r ther equipment Getting bathed/brushed/grmed/nails trimmed/ears cleaned/etc Etc Think abut the future activities yur puppy may be invlved in Being ut in public Walking thrugh crwded areas Visiting the wrkplace, gym, schl, barn, sprts field, etc Swimming r bating Traveling Visiting ther husehlds Ging t the vet/grmer Etc Cntinue t train! All f the exercises described abve fr the yunger puppies are STILL relevant fr lder puppies Practice the clicker exercises Click and treat if puppy chses t sit instead f jump r climb n yu Click and treat if puppy sits calmly in the puppy pen Practice the envirnmental enrichment exercises Cntinue t reinfrce investigating and interacting with new things Practice gd ptty habits Add a cue immediately befre puppy relieves themselves t help transitin t pttying at a specific time and place Make ptty area in pen smaller s the puppy learns t nly ptty in that spt when inside Practice crate training fr lnger and lnger time intervals Practice leash skills Teach the puppy hw t walk next t yu ff leash by clicking and treating the heel psitin These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.

11 Add a leash but make sure t maintain slack in the leash at all times, t start Cntinue t click and treat fr a heel Begin stpping if the puppy pulls and encuraging the puppy t cme back t the heel psitin Start walking and treating the mment the puppy cmes back Start practicing in new areas The puppy cannt be fed t many gdies while practicing heeling the mre the better D nt pull n the puppy This creates frustratin and a negative assciatin with walks Always encurage the puppy t d the crrect behavir instead f punishing incrrect behavir Practice handling exercises Tuch the puppy, then feed a treat, then stp, then repeat Practice with every bdy part s the puppy assciates being handled with being fed Practice resurce guarding exercises Give the puppy a gd, high value, chew bne Take away the chew bne (ignre any behavir puppy ffers) and immediately feed a higher value treat (chicken r ht dgs) Give the bne back and allw the puppy t chew again Repeat the exercise until the puppy respnds t yu taking the bne with a happy, expectant expressin in anticipatin fr the fd reward D nt punish guarding behavir, just ignre at this stage and simply teach the puppy that it is actually mre fun when yu take the bne away This exercise is fr yung puppies nly. D nt try with lder dgs. Practice recall Puppies shuld knw the puppy call predicts fd Begin adding COME immediately befre the puppy call Begin practicing with treat rewards instead f meals Begin practicing in new lcatins Enrll puppy in a psitive reinfrcement puppy class Make sure trainer is experienced in current, science-based, psitive reinfrcement methds Make sure class is held in a safe lcatin, preferably indrs where the flrs are kept clean Make sure trainer des nt use r recmmend punishment fr prblem behavirs n pinching, yelling, swatting, startling, scaring, pulling n the leash, using chke/prng/shck cllars, etc. Make sure the puppy learns prper scial skills, as well as hw t settle and relax in grup envirnment These materials are prvided fr yu as a way t review behavirs previusly discussed in training sessins. It is imprtant fr the success f bth yu and yur dg, that these materials are used fr reviewing, nt fr teaching. D nt skip ahead, even if yu think yur dg is ready. Every dg, every wner, and every situatin is specific and requires a training prgram catered t fit; because these handuts are very general, please talk t Kelsey befre attempting any f these training techniques n yur wn.