You know how there are child development charts - are there the same thing for puppies and dogs?

Question

I wanted to know if there was someplace I could look so I would know whether my pup was behind for his age for training and such, eg: housetraining, sitting, staying, heal, and other basic commands.

Answer 1

The following chart provides general guidelines
for the stages of development.

0 - 2 weeks = Neonatal
Most influenced by their mother.
Touch and taste present at birth.

2 - 4 weeks = Transitional
Most influenced by their mother and littermates.
Eyes open, teeth erupt, hearing and smell developing.
Beginning to stand, walk a little, wag, bark.
By four or five weeks, sight is well developed.

2 – 12 weeks = Socialization
During this period, puppies need opportunities to meet other dogs and people.
By four to six weeks they’re most influenced by their littermates and are learning about being a dog.
From four to 12 weeks they’re most influenced by their littermates and people. They’re also learning to play, including social skills, inhibited bite, social structure/ranking and physical coordination.
By three to five weeks they’re developing curiosity and exploring new experiences. They need positive "people" experiences during this time.
By seven to nine weeks they’re refining their physical skills/coordination (including housetraining) and full use of senses.
By eight to ten weeks they experience real fear – when puppies can be alarmed by normal objects and experiences and need positive training.
By nine to 12 weeks they’re refining reactions, social skills (appropriate interactions) with littermates and are exploring the environment, spaces and objects. Beginning to focus on people. This is a good time to begin training.

3 – 6 months = Ranking
Most influenced by "littermates" (playmates now include those of other species).
Beginning to see and use ranking (dominate and submissive) within the pack, including humans.
Teething (and associated chewing).
At four months they experience another fear stage.

6 – 18 months = Adolescence
Most influenced by human and dog "pack" members
At seven to nine months they go through a second chewing phase – part of exploring territory.
Heightened exploration of dominance, including challenging humans.
If not spayed or neutered, beginnings of sexual behaviour.

Answer 2

I don't think so. It depends so much on the individual dog and the owner's willingness to train and reinforce that training. Some dogs are absolutely reliably housetrained at 5 or 6 months ... others take a year. Some dogs are 99% trained in basic commands after one set of puppy-classes, but most are not. Some dogs can be counted on to obey the recall command, and many can NEVER be fully reliable.

It can vary by breed, as well. Some breeds just take to training more easily than others.

Please don't concern yourself with whether your pup is ahead of or behind other dogs his age. The most important thing is to give your dog the chance to be the best he can be, and if it takes him longer to "get it", then it does. Training a dog is not a "once-and-done" thing ... it is ongoing for the life of the dog. Good Luck!

Answer 3

At your local pet store they probably have books on different breeds of dogs. Some of them probably tell you the development levels. If not, try a good big bookstore and look in their dogs books department. Even your vet may be a good source for reference materials on dog development. Good luck!

Answer 4

Yes, they come in every puppy manual. Some things may be breed specific. Larger dogs tend to mature slower.

Answer 5

child development is vastly different from dogs being trained commands.......his success on you training him in everything from housetraining to sitting is gonna depend largely on your part....because its just that.....training......my 5 yr old chihuauhua weiner mix doesn.t know the meaning of 'sit'...i suppose he could simply be developmently challenged.....but... i think im just gonna have to credit it to the fact that i didn.t ever train him to do much......so his development is gonna depend on how dedicated you are to his obedience training....