Independence in Puppy Hood
(Be sure not to Lose in the terrible twos!)
Quote from the Dog Whisperer
The Independent Stage
Stage 4 begins your puppy's introduction to independence, but may also create some possible frustrating situations for you. With her senses more or less fully developed, and her improved physical coordination, the puppy is entering into a phase that is remarkably close to toddlerhood in human beings. Think "terrible twos" on a canine level.
During this stage, the puppy will attempt to determine the social rankings within her new "pack". This may include the same kind of play-fighting that she engaged in with her brothers and sisters, but now directed at you and the rest of her new "littermates." In wild packs, these kinds of dominance games serve a vital function. Puppy is testing her boundaries within her social circle, seeing if she has what it takes to physically challenge her peers and even you, her pack leader. If you don't step in and discourage this kind of dominance-seeking behavior early on - or, worse yet, if you allow your puppy to "win" at dominance games such as wrestling or Tug-of-War - it could set the stage for more serious challenges to your leadership down the road.
Play-biting may also escalate during this stage, and it should be considered vitally important to correct this behavior rather than allow it to continue. Be sure to correct immediately to allow the puppy to connect the behavior with the correction, and be consistent!
Between months 4 and 6, you may find your puppy exhibiting signs of a return to the flight phase that she went through during or around week 8. However, unlike at 8 weeks, when the puppy's flight was fueled by her reaction to the startling new environment, this new phase will be more closely associated with the independent and rebellious stage that she's going through. A collar and leash will provide the crucial physical connection between you that can keep her from bolting when you approach. Do not allow her to roam off leash in any open or highly populated public area until she demonstrates to you that she is willing to accept your commands. And don't forget your most powerful tool: your calm-assertive energy and balanced pack leadership!
Puppies begin the play fighting as their teeth come in. The mother may correct it if she sees the behavior and thinks that it is going to far, up until about 4 weeks old when she begins weaning her now teething litter, and chooses to spend more time socializing with the other mommies, and less time constantly supervising them. Once she chooses to leave the picture, and her milks begins drying up, the puppies are eating on their own, and playing with each other and with their toys which we have introduced them to, and have encouraged them to play with. The puppies begin experimenting with play fighting, as they gradually begin establishing the instinctual pecking order in their group.
We never allow the puppies to bite us, and we reinforce positive play while they are here.
At 5-6 weeks old, this is the time when they are still innocent, and will be looking to someone for leadership. This is the perfect, easiest time to establish yourself as the leader, and allow them to form a lasting connection & bond to you, their lifelong human family. Once in their new home, a puppy will experiment with his new pack, and it is important to establish the pecking order within your pack now, before the puppy becomes more independent, or learns that negative behavior might be allowed in this new pack.
From Day 1:
Learn how to influence your puppy's behavior, by leading the interaction responsibly.
Be an effective leader by properly communicating the order within your pack to your new addition.
We never allow the puppies to bite us, and we reinforce positive play while they are here.
At 5-6 weeks old, this is the time when they are still innocent, and will be looking to someone for leadership. This is the perfect, easiest time to establish yourself as the leader, and allow them to form a lasting connection & bond to you, their lifelong human family. Once in their new home, a puppy will experiment with his new pack, and it is important to establish the pecking order within your pack now, before the puppy becomes more independent, or learns that negative behavior might be allowed in this new pack.
From Day 1:
Learn how to influence your puppy's behavior, by leading the interaction responsibly.
Be an effective leader by properly communicating the order within your pack to your new addition.