Socialization period (3 to 12 weeks)
As puppies become fully able to see and hear, they enter the socialization period. These two sensory capabilities combined with touch, scent and taste (which were present at birth) allow puppies to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar, whether it be people, objects, locations, or other dogs. Prior to three weeks of age, puppies placed in unfamiliar locations that are otherwise physically comfortable may show little or no response. In the socialization period they begin to form social relationships and attachments to recognized locations.
Puppies begin the process of primary socialization at this time. This means they are forming their first social attachments. These early relationships are typically formed with the mother and littermates. By interacting with members of their own species, puppies learn normal canine social behavior.
During the socialization period, puppies will begin to use various behaviors and body postures to communicate their moods and emotional states such as fear or anger. During this period, puppies also learn to use physical displays of signals that enable them to assess whether a littermate is likely to be submissive, aggressive, playful, etc. Play fighting, dominance fighting, and other assertive types of activities characterize weeks five through seven, during which puppies learn to inhibit their biting so as not to cause injury.
It is the ease with which puppies form attachments during the socialization phase that makes this time frame so crucial in their development. While puppies will still approach most people, locations, and objects without fear, you must provide abundant opportunities for them to do so. Having pleasant experiences with a variety of people, places and things allows puppies to learn to adapt to and tolerate the unfamiliar in the future. That's what makes this stage of development the perfect time to start any training program.
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