Puppy raisers learn development stages to help understand behavior changes

1. Breeder’s Guide to Raising Superstar Dogs Speech by Lorraine Gaudio, CPDT Book by Jerry Hope, CDBC

2. Benefits Produce puppies that are safer in society Reduce puppy buyers calling with reports of puppies with fear aggression or a bite history. Help build a stronger breeders reputation & increase referrals Preserve a good breed reputation Take a responsibility to all the puppies you add the community. Produce emotionally stable puppies Prevent your puppies from the shelter and re-homing (First home is a forever home) Foundation work is life lasting so it is easier to have rehabilitation and recovery of fear (repo dogs) Puppy owners have a responsibility to their puppy and their community. Reduce the work on the owners can increase the value of your puppies verses your competitor.

3. Puppies enter new homes At 10-12 weeks old House trained Confident around people, dogs, other animals Already having taught basic cues Have a easy to follow plan for your puppy owners to continue

4. The research In 1965 John Paul Scott & John L. Fuller Dog Behavior:The Genetic Basic and Genetics and Social Behavior of the Dog Over 40 year old research is now formatted easy to understand Multiple Animal Behaviorists and Veterinarians working together with breeders Jerry Hope, CDBC; Dr. Ian Dunbar; Tammie King, Bsc (Hons); Lynn Hoover; Martin Deeley, Nicole Wilde, CPDT; Brenda Aloff; Konrad Lorenz to name just a few

5. What is Socialization Continuing life long process where individual acquires personal identity, learns norms, values, behavior, and social skills. How is it done best? Fear is not genetic. There is a reason for stress. Exposure, recovery of conflict and being allowed to be curious. Stay in comfort level, go slow. NEVER FORCE something the puppy is fearful of upon the puppy. What does fear look like?

6. Imprinting Exposure in small doses to many different things of practical and social character during critical development stages. It is for life! Whether you do a program or not, imprinting will happen. Sometimes imprinting doesn’t happen on what we intended it to be on. ALL experienced including vet visits must be enjoyable. How does the dog see this situation? Imprinting is used extensively be horse breeders with great success!We are lucky to have a bigger window. Imprinting on puppies is between -3 weeks and 10+ weeks old. Whelping box design

7. Case study She has a great pedigree that contains dogs with super temperaments. She is nervous and fearful because of the way she was raised. How does this effect imprinting?

8. The chances are high that the pups will learn from their mother fearful and nervous behavior is normal. Correct her behavior issues before breeding!

9. Critical Periods Mental growth periods where specific learning happens from the puppy’s environment and experiences where optimum retention will take place. Timing is everything! Exposing to young can do damage where if only a few weeks older would had a more positive effect. Same goes for waiting to long. You missed your window.

10. Pre-natal Bitch is healthy before breeding Keep bitch relaxed and calm during pregnancy Good Diet Fresh water Moderate exercise Give her the attention and affection if she become clingy

11. Neo-natal Birth to 12 days “Bio-Sensor” proven to strengthen immune system, create stronger heartbeats and promote more rapid recovery to stress in it’s adult life. Introduce involuntary systems to changing positions starting at 3 days old (if dewclaws were removed at 2 days start on 5) Stop when pups eye start to open Five exercises done 1 x day at the same time you weight the pup never lasting more the 5 seconds (start on 3 seconds) Tactile Stimulation with a q-tip Head up, head down, on back Thermal Stimulation Weigh and return to mom for comfort

12. Transitional Period 13 days to 20 days old Eyes open but will not be fully functional until 9-10 weeks Ears open and will have full hearing by 20 -22 days old Increase brain activity with noise and light For about 2 minutes: Expose to soft noises and low level light changes with changing tempo (classical music on TV) Increase levels as pups begin to move around more. GO SLOW but use Thunder tapes, play base music. Make startling sound while pups are all cuddled and sleeping. What is a noisy home with kids like? Crying baby’s, gun shots . . . http://www.legacycanine.com/store/index.html Weaning puppies are touched while eating their gruel. Touch food to mouths and hand feed a little

14. Socialization Period 5 wks Start introducing one-two new person(s) every day for ten minutes. (Clean hands. Everyone should remove shoes at the front door.) 100 people by 14 weeks (race, age clothes, smell) Teach sit, down, stand (1-2 min) Teeth, toes, testicles Sent treat or people, Pry drive play (flirt pole), Show stacking, agility poles and tunnels ball on the wall retrieve 7 wk bodies of water (shallow to start) Tug for bite inhibition and out with rules 8wks take training on the road Collar and lead drag, follow me

15. Awareness Period 21 to 28 Days old Sudden sounds DO NOT MOVE LITTER LOCATION. Keep environment stable

16. First impact Period 8 to 11 weeks First fear The worst time to go to a new home and often it’s time for the first vet visit. A long drive can make him hate car rides. Locked in a crate for the first time all night crying for mommy is damaging for life! Fear issues can be traced back to this period, not because the experience itself but because it all happened during this period IF puppies must go during this period the family setting needs to be secure and non-threatening, non-stressful. They are better suited for an educated pet owner

17. Seniority Classification Period 13 to 16 weeks old In recovery of fear period Teething: offer chews Find themselves as individuals, grows personality Must remove from litter or they will bond with each other. Some puppies will become bullies and other will become submissive. Puppies should have separate time away from other dogs and have one on one time with people. Space grows personalities free from the influence of littermates Work on resource guarding Positive training grows confidence

18. Flight Instinct 4 months to 8 months Puppies Become brave and investigative and it’s good to allow it and build it Don’t ruin your recall Marking and house training may slip so watch them close! Still Teething, reinforce chewing behaviors on the correct items

19. Second Impact Period 6 to 15 months old Fear suddenly, even a well socialized pup Do not force dog to cope with fear (Flooding) “sudden rebellious, disobedient, hardheaded, and fear” How this is handled may determine how long the puppy stays with the family and how the puppy sees people for the rest of his life.

20. Maturity Age varies by breed (small dogs sooner, giant breeds later then 1 ½ years old) Monitor mature dogs of same sex One day a friendship may turn into challenged and fights

21. What can we change Don’t prohibit people from coming to visit the puppies Puppies should stay with there litter till 10 weeks old and no later then 12 weeks old. Expose the pups to light, noise, strangers of all species and ages, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Be responsible for the outcome of the puppy

22. Testing Aptitude testing is done around 8 weeks old and is also a great time to evaluate structure Novel stimuli, Thinking puzzle, Handling Test results in written detail is given to puppy owners Temperament testing is done around 18 months. www.atts.org

23. Be a part of my study Record your choice of puppy imprinting in detail. I will give you a record book to be kept as a complete journal of the daily activities. You do not need to do all or even any of the ideas presented today. I will evaluate your puppies at 8 weeks and receive a copy of your journal You puppy owners will be invited but not required to follow up with me for a further evaluation on their development.