The puppy socialization period officially starts at the end of week three and goes all the way through week 12. Breeders must provide puppies with a developmentally appropriate curriculum and appropriate socialization during this critical stage of development.
The puppies’ fear response is at an all-time low and curiosity is at an all-time high during weeks 3 to 12. Breeders must work with the puppies according to developmental benchmarks to provide puppies with the best outcome. Below is a timeline that summarizes some of the skills puppies learn through the puppy curriculum in my responsible breeding program.
Please note that the timeline is just an estimate. I may need to adjust the calendar if a litter of puppies’ development isn’t aligned with the developmental benchmarks. For an inside look at the puppies working through curriculum check out some of my youtube videos: https://youtube.com/shorts/GuF2OCoxTEc?feature=share.
I highly recommend that you follow along on either Instagram or Facebook stories so you can watch your future puppy grow and work through daily curriculum objectives. I typically post every day under Instagram and Facebook stories from the day of birth until the puppies reach 10 weeks of age. You can also look at my Instagram Highlights if you want to see past litters working through curriculum. Once the puppies reach the 6 week mark they really start to shine. It is a pleasure helping the puppies become the very best version of themselves.
Puppy Curriculum Schedule
Week 1 & 2
- Early Neurological Stimulation
- Early Scent Introduction
- Daily weight checks
Week 3
- Early Neurological Stimulation
- Early Scent Introduction
- Sound desensitization
- Weekly weights
- Handling desensitization/Gentle Grooming
- Introduction to Gentle Novelty Exposure Items
Week 4
- Sound desensitization
- Handling desensitization
- Gentle sensory experiences
- Gentle grooming practice
- Introduction to the Puppy Recall
- Introduction to puppy mush
- Focus on gut health
Week 5
- Sound desensitization
- Handling desensitization
- Sensory desensitization
- Gentle movement desensitization
- Grooming practice
- Puppy Recall
- “Yes” Verbal Marker Training
- Focus on gut health
Week 6 to 8
- Sound desensitization
- Sight desensitization
- Handling desensitization
- Sensory experiences
- Movement desensitization
- Problem-solving
- Startle/recovery
- Balance and coordination
- Barrier challenges
- Mental Stimulation/Foraging/Brain games
- Grooming practice
- Weekly one-on-one curriculum sessions with the breeder
- Puppy Recall
- “Yes” Verbal Marker Training
- Open crate exposure
- Introduction to playpen in the family room.
- Turf Introduction
- Focus on gut health
- Exposure to different environments
- Stroller rides
- A basic introduction to the sit command
- Confidence building activities
- Travel crate exposure
- Car ride
- A basic introduction to the “sit” command
Week 9 to 11
- Real-Life Readiness Skills: By 9 weeks the puppies have completed most of their foundational curriculum. I continue to work on those skills but the primary focus shifts more towards preparing the puppies for their next chapter in life. The emphasis at this stage focuses on outdoor potty practice, short periods of time away from littermates to prepare for go home, exploring areas outside of the playpen/nursery, interacting with my adult dogs, family life exposure, etc.
