papillons for sale, papillon dogs

Puppy Life Stages:

Breeding for Confidence and Good Temperament.

Pre-Natal.

It is thought that temperament is inherited. Many believe that the Dam contributes more than the Sire, but possibly because the puppies pick up from her behavior.

During pregnancy, the Dam should be healthy and without stress. Petting may help the puppies, even if puppies feel the petting before born.

Neo-Natal, (1-14 days).

Puppies are helpless even unable to regulate body functions such as temperature and elimination. Chilled puppies often develop infections or poor digestion and may die. Must be kept at 94º to 96º, gradually building to normal canine levels of 101º to 102º during the next two weeks. Overly warm dams spend less time with puppies and produce less milk.

Puppies sleep 90% of the time and suckle the rest of the time. Some vocalization is heard, more if hungry, cold, or suffering digestive or infection problems.

[Neurological Stimulation results in earlier development, higher intelligence and more resistance to disease.]

Tactile (Neurological) Stimulation: (Only 5 seconds each, from day 3 to day 16 of age.)

1. Tickle between toes with Q-tip or tiny feather.

2. Hold head upwards, perpendicular to ground.

3. Hold head downwards, perpendicular to ground.

4. Hold on back, belly up.

5. Lay on cold, damp towel.

Will also benefit from normal handling, petting, and cuddling by humans.

Transitional Period, (14-21 days).

Eyes open (usable vision by 18 – 21 days) can begin to hear (and startle at sudden noise)

A variety of noises, vibrations and light changes should take place during this period. Exposure to sudden loud noises should happen during the third week before the fear response has developed. Startle response is beneficial.

Dam must still stay with puppies but may begin weaning toward the end of the period. Don’t isolate puppies. Contact with other dogs is beneficial. Probably more dogs die by euthanasia because of poor socialization than die from exposure to diseases as puppies.

May leave nest box to eliminate. Place litter tray if desired. Toys and visual objects in nest box. Keep in kitchen or busy part of house.

Awareness/Identification Period (21 – 28 days).

Have use of all senses. Introduce a variety of noises and light changes. Expose to sudden loud noises.

More handling by humans and introduce to other dogs.

Should be starting to eat food.

Must still spend lots of time with Mother.

Advanced Awareness/Identification Period (28 – 35 days).

Need physical and mental challenges. Toys, things to move, chew on, climb on, carry.

Spend more time with each individual. Separate from littermates for a short time to teach independence and prevent separation anxiety problems later.

Socialization Period ( 5 – 16 weeks).

Expose to a wide variety of smells, textures, surfaces, sounds, vibrations, tastes, sights and ESPECIALLY a variety of people. (Read: dog shows, city noises, etc.)

*****Note that dogs left alone for long periods of time AND DOGS THAT HAVE CONSTANT HUMAN COMPANIONSHIP are prone to separation anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.*****

Sub categories of this period:

Curiosity Period (5 – 7 weeks)

Weaned, but mother should still teach and play with puppies.

Will be curious about everything and have very little sense of fear.

**** Highest approach acceptance and lowest fear response.

Behavioral Refinement Period (7-9 weeks)

Start training (short attention spans). Learning during this period is permanent.

Fear response increases rapidly during this period.

Dog to dog socialization not yet complete.

Fear Imprint/Impact Period (8 – 11 weeks)

Will now fear loud noises, strangers, etc. and bad experiences are imprinted. Avoid fearful or traumatic events.

Possibly a poor time to go to new home.

Environmental Awareness Period (9 – 12 weeks)

Learning about new world.

Will pay more attention to humans.

If still left with littermates, will bond to them instead of owner and may exhibit excessive barking, separation anxiety and/or hyper-excitability.

If kept with owner much of the time, human bond will become very strong, but may not acquire good “doggie” social skills.

**** Probably best to divide time between owner and other dogs.****

Seniority Classification Period ( 13 – 16 weeks)

Testing dominance and leadership.

May “fight” to do what it wants or to resist restraint or human actions such as nail cutting, leash training, etc.

Puppy Classes important and must be exposed to and handled by others.

***It is thought that the end of this period is when the “window” of effective socialization closes. Waiting until later may be too late.***

Flight Instinct Period (4 – 8 months).

May only last days but can be several weeks. Puppy will “test it’s wings” by wandering away and will not come when called and will be difficult to catch.

Keep on leash or long line so that puppy HAS to come when called.

Second Fear Impact Period (6 – 14 months),

or fear of new situations period.

May occur more than once as puppy goes through growth spurts. May also be teething, or teeth setting permanently in the jaw (8 to 10 months of age).

Needs things to chew.

A well socialized puppy may almost overnight fear people and things that were OK before. Socialize, Socialize, and Socialize but do not console a puppy that is afraid or mildly injured. Instead, make light of fear and distract with play and reinforcement of desired behavior.

**** Adolescence coincides with this fear period with hormonal surges, increased excitability and intensity about everything. Pheromones emitted can trigger traumatic dominance behavior from other dogs. ****

Maturity Period (1 – 4 years).

Transition from puppy to adult by continued growth, both physical and mental. (Small breeds generally mature earlier than large breeds, usually by 1 to 1 1/2 years). Will develop into the look of a mature adult.

Regular socialization must continue.

Genetically shy or submissive dogs will become more shy and submissive and genetically aggressive or dominant dogs will also become more so.

Protectiveness increases so must be taught the difference between fear and a real threat.