PetSmart Training | Development

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PETSMART Training, Developmental Periods

The developmental periods of a dog
Beginning in the 1950s, Drs. John Paul Scott and John Fuller conducted a comprehensive study of canine behavioral development to date. Their research lasted 13 years, and involved five different breeds of dogs: the Basenji, Cocker Spaniel, Wire Fox Terrier, Beagle, and Shetland Sheepdog. These breeds were chosen to represent the different breed groups so that a greater degree of behavioral differences could be seen. During the research, the environmental factors for all of the dogs were kept the same (i.e., they were all housed and raised the same) in order to better understand the effects of heredity on behavior.

Scott and Fuller described four periods of behavioral development of dogs less than a year old:

During the five periods, dogs have different sensory and learning capabilities, as well as specific needs in order to develop normally. The PetSmart training programs take these learning periods into consideration, which is why we offer a puppy education course (for dogs 10 weeks to 5 months) and beginner education course (for puppies over five months and adult dogs with no previous training). The courses both cover the same topics, but use modified approaches given the differences in learning abilities. We recommend that puppies start training at or around the 10 week mark to gain some benefits of both the socialization period as well as the juvenile period.

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