Shaping Temperament

Part 3

As we are learning, an individual dog's behavior and temperament is guided by many interdependent environmental and biological (genetic) factors. Genetics set the predetermined limits to an individual's traits and learning potential. Learning through environmental experiences fills the limited boundaries of an individual's potential behavior and temperament. Environmental learning can have either a beneficial or destructive effect upon an individual's behavioral development. Every given moment offers the opportunity for either constructive or destructive influences in learning. Inappropriate or insufficient experiences in a puppy's environment can cause for abnormal development or for specific behavioral systems to atrophy. Early experiences are especially critical in shaping behavior patterns, coping skills and temperament. Puppies that are isolated early in life develop insufficient social skills and poor problem-solving capabilities. These puppies are also prone to either hyperactivity or rigid inhibition, are emotionally overactive and tend to be fearful of novel, social and environmental situations. Isolated puppies also tend to be sexually incapable. Puppies that are reared in isolated or careless conditions will have a great disadvantage in their capabilities of developing into a confident, social and well-mannered companion dog.

Dogs undergo several biologically guided learning/social periods as they mature. The onset or offset of these stages renders an individual animal susceptible to crucial experiences or the absence of such for a limited period of time. During these critical stages of development, a short period is allowed for the maximum effects and benefits of a specific learning development in dogs.

The first stage is the neonatal period, which lasts from birth to 12 days of age. Just prior to birth puppies are exposed to hormonal changes that cause for sexual dimorphism. Male puppies are exposed to a surge of testosterone setting the foundation for male like behavior later in life. Prenatal androgen secretions are believed to play a role in the forming of behavior neurotracks associated with maleness. Research has suggested that female puppies may also be affected by the androgenizing. Studies with female mice embryos located between two male embryos in the uterus appeared to be influenced by the presence of vagrant testosterone carried in amniotic fluids. It is possible that a similar effect occurs in females, although studies are not yet conclusive.

At birth a puppy is unable to control its body temperature and is very sensitive to changes in environmental temperatures. By keeping in close contact with its mother and littermates, a puppy's temperature can be kept constant. A puppy that becomes too warm will move away. Puppies at this stage will exhibit extreme distress when separated from their mother or littermates and becoming too cold. Studies observed that a mother would readily retrieve a puppy that has become separated for up to the first five days but after that will stop doing so.

As for neurological and sensory perspective, puppies are born deaf and blind. Most of the young puppy's time is spent sleeping and eating. Urination and defecation is illicited by the mother's licking of the puppies' bodies for at least the first two weeks. Motor skills are limited at this time to a swimlike crawl involving predominantly the front legs. Although young puppies are developmentally isolated from the environment studies have shown that some environmental influences can have long term effects on learning, emotional stability and general adaptability. Just three minutes of handling per day and the exposure to mild environmental stressors (changes in temperature, gentle physical manipulation) can have a positive impact on a puppy's resistance to disease, emotional stability and learning and problem-solving capabilities at maturity. Dogs left undisturbed during the neonatal period are found to be more emotionally reactive as adults.

During this stage puppies move quickly from a "vegetative functioning" to a more complex approach and withdrawal behavior. As a puppy develops these patterns become more complex to environmental stimulation. Approach behavior develops into curiosity or seeking behavior and withdrawal develops into escape or avoidance behavior. Although neonatal puppies are capable of learning this is limited to the association of primitive stimuli and adjustment responses.

The transitional period progresses from day 12 to day 21 of a puppy's life. During this stage a puppy displays a marked progression in neurological development. Puppies will display a steady improvement in locomotive abilities. This includes the opening of the ears and eyes and the improved control of voluntary behavior. Puppies become more active and independent during this stage. A puppy develops a greater ability to support itself and can stand on all four limbs and walk (unsteadily) as early as 12 days. Puppies can be weaned and taught to eat gruel as early as 16 days (although not advised). Puppies can also eliminate voluntarily but are not often observed to do so prior to 20 days. Although nursing is still of great importance, physical contact and comfort seems to take precedence. At this stage puppies experience rapid increase in both social and environmental stimulation. Although learning is still limited evidence does support some development in avoidance behavior.

The important development that occurs during this stage is the transformation between reflexive behavior to the awareness of both social and environmental stimulation. Within the onset of the primary socialization period at approximately 3 weeks of age, dramatic improvements occur in a puppy's ability to learn.

As the socialization periods are complex and of great importance to both breeders and pet owners I will not try to fit this information into this article. Instead, I will focus next months' articles on the importance of the primary and secondary socialization periods. We will further look at the stage of social dominance. Further articles will then focus upon learning and teaching theory and how we can use this knowledge to enhance our puppies' development pre new owner adoption. In addition, we will also take a look at how we can assist our puppy-buying families in continuing the positive development of temperament and behavior in our dogs.

As always, I welcome your comments in the progression of these articles. I can be contacted at (763) 577-0761 or via email at unleashed@animaltrainers.com

Part 4 ... continued