Development of the dog
Neonatal phase (weeks 1 and 2)
During this phase, the eyes and ears are still closed, but the sense of smell is already highly developed. Since the puppy can smell even in the womb, it unerringly finds its mother's milk bar. Now the eyelids and external ear canals open. Sight develops between 10 and 14 days, and hearing between 14 and 16 days.
Transition phase (3rd week)
Proper vision and hearing will take some time. Having previously spent almost all his time drinking and sleeping, the puppy will now perceive its siblings and its immediate surroundings.
Imprinting phase (4th to 7th week)
The eyes, nose, and ears are now fully developed. Ideally, during this time, the puppy learns to cope with many different impressions (people, sounds, different environments, etc.). It consciously perceives its surroundings and gets to know its social partners. Through play with its siblings, it learns to find its social rank and to test itself and others. During this period, its personality and temperament are shaped. If a puppy is kept isolated during this time and not exposed to any environmental stimuli or social partners, it is highly likely to experience socialization problems later on.
Now comes the most important phase (from week 8 onwards)
This is the point at which the puppy should move to its new home. With the breeder, it would grow up in a pack, and it is more difficult for it to cope without its pack if it is later separated from its family.
Socialization phase (weeks 8 to 12)
The puppy begins to explore its environment and find its place in the social hierarchy. Everything it learns now is, in a sense, for life. In a pack, the puppy would now be trained by the male, and this task now falls to its new owners.No matter how cute the puppy is, it is absolutely essential during this time to lovingly (never with force) but also consistently show the puppy its boundaries. We should definitely take advantage of the puppies' great curiosity, openness, and learning ability. Contact with other puppies and people, as well as new sounds and smells, is indispensable.
The best thing to do is go to a puppy school!!!
This time is the most important time for the owner and the puppy.
Ranking phase (weeks 13 to 16)
The puppy is establishing its place in the hierarchy. The human pack leader is being tested on their leadership qualities. During this phase, it is important that the puppy knows its boundaries and receives clear rules from its human.
Pack order phase (5th and 6th month)
This period coincides with the young dog's teeth changing. He is now striving to solidify his place in the pack and maintain his position. Once he has found his place in the pack, he will bond particularly closely with the individual he considers the pack leader.
All the insecurities and fears experienced during this time due to incorrect treatment are almost impossible to reverse after this phase and will continue to affect the dog's soul for its entire life.
Puberty phase (7th to 12th month)
The male dog (usually) lifts his leg more and more often, the female dog has her first heat, and rivals are viewed critically or chased away. During this phase, you often experience outright defiance in the dog, and he seems to have simply forgotten everything he has already learned. During this time, you should by no means give up, but continue training the dog with loving yet unwavering consistency.
Maturation phase (12th to 18th month)
Now it becomes clear whether the dog has received the guidance that optimally fostered its development. The continued presence of a willingness to learn and a readiness for friendly interaction with people and animals demonstrate this. The dog is now psychologically mature and hardly changeable. Positive and negative impressions and experiences will now determine its future behavior.