FIFTH CRITICAL PERIOD
(Thirteenth through sixteenth week)
| BASIC NEEDS |
Training, love, discipline,
socialization to humans and
canines.
|
| DO |
Begin serious
training. |
|
|
|
REASON |
The pup is ready to undergo formal
obedience training during this period. Disciplined behaviour can be expected and
enforced now. While training is still done in a positive manner, mild
corrections can be introduced. Caution is advised as the pups attitude towards
training can become very negative. The method of training should be positive,
and gentle, but firm. |
| DO |
Avoid negative
commands. |
|
|
|
REASON |
Withholding praise can be just as
effective as negative commands (such as "Shame, Bad Dog and NO" and other
negative sounding words). Praise for correct behaviour and ignoring the pup for
incorrect response to commands will keep his attitude positive. All praise
should be delivered with feeling, rather that a monotone of "good
dog". |
| DO |
Begin providing slight
distractions. |
|
|
|
REASON |
When introducing a new exercise, the
pup should be trained in a distraction free area. However, the exercises taught
in the last period can now be performed with mild distractions at first, and
building up to expecting obedience no matter what distractions may be in the
area. |
| DO NOT |
Wait until after 16 weeks of age to
train. |
|
|
|
REASON |
Studies have proven if a puppy goes
beyond that 16th weeks of life without some form of training having begun, he
may never reach his full potential. He will still be capable of learning; and
may even be a top performing dog. But, if he turns out to be really good, just
think what a super dog he could have been if his training had been started at
the proper age! The studies of Pfaffenberger also point out that a dog that
begins training after 16 weeks of age will never make up for anything lost
through neglect in earlier training. |
| DO NOT |
Leave with
littermates. |
|
|
|
REASON |
Even though you have been rotating
the pups, now is the time to completely separate all littermates. Leaving him
with his litter beyond the 16 weeks is going to make him a very "dog oriented"
dog. His ability to form a close bond to humans will be limited, and his
attachment to his new owners may never become strong. If he has been left with
the litter, and dominance patterns allowed to develop up till this age, he will
probably be a bully or coward for live and will be very difficult to train. By
16 weeks all of his emotions are developed, and what he is at this age (whether
it is hyper, calm, aggressive or shy) will remain fixed for
life |
NEW ACTIONS AND REACTIONS
The flight instinct develops. The
pup cuts his teeth, and his apron strings. He will wander from the nest (and
refuse to be caught). He gets into increasing mischief. He will begin to try to
assert his dominance over human pack members.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Since the flight instinct begins to
develop during this period, it is imperative that the puppy learns the recall
before this age. He must have obedience to that command so ingrained in his
mind, that he is unaware he has any option except to come when called.
Since
this is the age of getting into mischief, he must be restrained to avoid
injuring himself and to keep the breeder or new owner from deciding he is too
much of a "monster" to keep! He is cutting teeth and will chew everything in
sight. He must be given plenty of chewable items of his own, and confined when
he cannot be supervised.
He will begin asserting dominance in
subtle ways, such as chewing on your hands and feet, grabbing pants legs, or
refusing to obey even when he knows the command well. This must be dealt with
immediately, as it occurs, and firmly (not cruelly). He must understand while he
can dominate other dogs, and while he can be very confident around humans, he
can never be the dominate one over a human being. That, throughout his life, the
human is at the top of the social ladder. |
