Early Weaning Can Lead To Behavioral Problems Later

In my practice I see too many dogs (cats too) that suffer from at least one behavioral issue/anxiety.  The most common is fear anxiety issues.  It always breaks my heart to see a dog that has such anxiety that it has melted under an exam room chair, cowering in a corner, shaking, eyes dilated, some move forward barking (trying to make himself big and mean to scare off the evil one, which is usually me or my staff).  On discussion with it's owner, they tell me that they are afraid of all strangers and has snapped at people when they approach or enter their home.  Mistakenly, the owner feels the dog is aggressive, when in fact the dog is just afraid and the best defense is a good offense.

Recently a study out of Italy, reported that puppies separated from their litters early on are significantly more likely to develop potentially problematic behavior as adults than puppies that stay with the litter until they are at least 8-10 week old.  Attention seeking and reactivity to noises were the most commonly reported behaviors.  Aggression toward the owner, paw licking (a sign of anxiety) and shadow staring were significally more likely among dogs that had been separated from their litter before 60 days.  Early separation from the dam and littermates, especially when combined with housing in a pet shop, might affect the capacity of a puppy to adapt to new environmental conditions and social relationships later in life.

For you the reader, this may be very enlightening.  For me, it is not really news.  We know that the greatest socialization period for puppies is between 3-12 weeks of age.  This period is associated with the development of many social behavior patterns and a great deal of learning about it's environment.  What is learned during this early period is lasting and provides the foundation for many adult behavior patterns and problems, appetites and aversions, social affinities and responsiveness, play behaviors, pack behaviors, reactions to separation and many other social skills.  Puppies withdrawn from litters early, do not receive this vital information.

A good example:  Puppy breeders (aka puppy mills), bred for puppies as a source of income.  They often house numerous females, sometimes in the hundreds.  Puppies born in these facilities, do not receive a lot of human contact.  These puppies are weaned at 4-6 weeks of age, and sent to a broker, housed with or without other puppies, and certainly not having a positive experience.  They are with a broker a short time before sent to pet stores.  Now the pup is without it's litter, in a small cage alone, with people they do not know, in a place they are unsure of.  Strange people (potential new owner's) with children (who handle the puppy roughly) pick him up, drop them (accidently), pull ears, tails, etc.  Again, not a pleasant experience.  So the puppy is learning ....people are scary!!  You buy this puppy that has been mauled by many, and take him to yet another unfamiliar environment.  You have children, perhaps young ones that have not been taught how to handle puppies, who pick them up and drop them.  Or perhaps you have a quiet home, where there is little noise or company.  Both situations do not provide this impressionable puppy with information that he will need as an adult.  Thus...you have a dog that is fearful of strangers, jumps startled at every sound, barks excessively, and often becomes aggressive.

Answer to this problem:  If you are going to purchase a puppy...buy one from a private reputable breeder that raises the pup in their home, where they get lots of human contact and are at least 8-10 weeks old before they leave the litter.  Once home, socialize your puppy to people (children) and different environments in a positive and fun manner.  Arm yourself ahead of time before you bring a puppy home, what emotional needs (socialization skills) should you be prepared to provide for your pup so that it grows up to be a well adjusted adult.  Just like raising a human child.  I tell my clients when they bring a new puppy to see me---"Whatever you think your dog is going to experience as an adult expose him to those things now."  People, places, children, your veterinarian, wheel chairs, vacuum sweepers, loud noises, etc. and be sure that you make them positive experiences by rewarding them good behavior.  Don't let children and puppies play without adult supervision and teach your children and your puppy how to play together so that it fun and not scary and harmful.