Knife attacks
WHAT does a cane knife attack have to do with puppy behaviour? Well, our clinic team had quite quizzical looks when I suggested this, but let me explain.
Two main populations of dogs in the urban areas are stray wandering dogs with no home, and owned wandering dogs who have a home. We could eliminate a large percent of the dogs wandering the street just by keeping our dogs home (starts with neutering them).
The problems with dogs allowed to wander and form packs are well-known. In the context of cruelty these dogs cause multiple problems including ripping into trash, using the footpath as a toilet, risk causing accidents and bites. These problems lead to frustration and anger, especially among people who are not really cozy with dogs.
The population of dogs that are owned or cared for over a prolonged period are the subjects here – these are dogs and puppies which receive some degree of handling by people.
For puppies to develop into good neighbour dogs it is important to have knowledge of how puppies progress from birth into young adulthood, and how we can positively influence that progress.
There are four main development stages after a puppy is born.
1. Neonatal stage.
Puppies move from crawling to walking as muscle co-ordination improves. Social communication such as “purring” and growling and activities such as play with siblings are first observed during this period.
Puppies become more aware of their environment and are able to eliminate without maternal stimulation (the mom has been licking their hind end to get them to pass urine and feces to this point.)
Because puppies can move further from the nesting area they should be confined to stay safe, and they can learn to toilet in one spot such as on newspaper. 3. Socialisation Stage Socialisation refers to developing appropriate social behaviors toward humans and other animals.
A sensitive period is considered a phase in which external stimuli are particularly likely to have a long-term effect on development. It is generally thought to begin at three weeks of age through to 12 weeks of age.
Puppies that have not been socialised during this time are more likely to react fearfully to new humans or situations.
Controlled exposure to humans during the socialisation period is crucial. Even small amounts of handling can result in beneficial effects.
In one study, puppies not handled until seven weeks of age were more hesitant to approach humans than were puppies handled at three to five weeks of age.
Puppies not handled until
14 weeks of age remained
The neonatal stage ranges from birth to about 2 weeks of age. During this time eyes are not yet open, and ear canals are closed, so puppies experience the world mainly through touch and smell. It has been found that puppies who get more care by their mothers have better social skills than those puppies from mothers which spend less time with the puppies. This would be far more evident with females who are not matured themselves before they give birth (a problem with stray and owned dogs alike.) With gentle handling by humans every day after they are three days old, similarly, the puppies have improved social behaviour. Note that we say improved social behaviour meaning more friendly and confidant (interested in surroundings, eager to investigate new things and not showing fearful behaviour.)
The transitional stage lasts during the ages of two-three weeks. Eyes open (get them checked if they are stuck shut or have discharge) and ears start hearing.
persistently fearful and resistant to handling. This is how domesticated dogs go from tame to feral and become part of the stray dog problem.
Negative experiences during the sensitive period can also have a profound impact on behavioral development. Abrupt weaning, particularly when paired with sudden separation from littermates, may have long-term consequences on behavior.
Puppies removed from the dam and litter prior to six weeks of age have been shown to be more fearful and have exhibited more undesirable behaviors as adults as compared with puppies that remain with the litter through eight weeks of age.
We see so many puppies acquired at very young ages here and it leads to more dogs with fear (who then growl, snap and bite). This is when you start really addressing that behaviour.
4. Juvenile stage
The juvenile stage represents the time from the end of the socialization period to sexual maturity. Sexual behavior is generally observed around six months of age, although it may be delayed in larger breeds. Dogs remain behaviorally immature even after they have reached sexual maturity. Large-breed dogs may not mature socially until they are almost two years old. Behavior problems are frequently reported during this period.
Socialisation starts with gentle handling of newborn puppies, through gentle play as the puppies get older along with exposure to new people and places. As they continue to get older school starts – they should be consistently taught.
Stand still while I check your ears and feet, allow handling of feet and opening mouth, learn to nicely walk on the leash.
Coming to the vet a few times the first year of life (or not coming at all) does not contribute to proper socialisation – they need to have learned this during and through their first visits.
Socialisation includes introducing your puppy to a variety of humans, beginning with quiet adults. Children that are old enough to be quiet and gentle with dogs should then be introduced. Puppies can be carefully socialised with healthy puppies and adult dogs (make sure all are on good health care plans) that are known to be gentle with puppies.
For some puppies, even mild stimuli may seem overwhelming – in these cases the introductions need to have more time and space – so it is important to have repetition and consistency.
Repeated exposure in the face of profound fear can be counterproductive to proper socialization (can lead to a frightened, biting dog.) Puppy socialisation classes
Puppy socialisation classes are an opportunity for puppies to learn how to behave calmly around humans and dogs.
A puppy vaccination series is generally not complete until they are 16 weeks old, and socialisation should start well before that.
Instructors should be versed on vaccination and parasite control programs to ask for appropriate safeguards.
Suggested is initial vaccinations (eight weeks), deworming history, external parasite control and veterinary health certificates. The classes should be well-run so that puppies are not overwhelmed or frightened.
So back to our recent cane knife attacks. What are we all collectively doing about the stray dog problem? What can we do to help our puppies grow into good neighbour dogs? is a doctor of veterinary medicine with SPCA Fiji Islands. The views expressed are the author’s and do not reflect the views of this newspaper.