There are five distinct stages of development in a dog's life.
Understanding these phases is important to building a confident, well
rounded hunting companion and pet. The stages are as follows: 1.) pack socialization (0 – 7 weeks) 2.) human socialization (7 – 12 weeks) 3.) fear period (~8 – 12 weeks) 4.) independence/early adolescence (4 – 8 months) 5.) late adolescence/early maturity (1 – 3 years)
The first stage, pack socialization is from birth to
seven weeks. During this period puppies are developing rapidly both
physically, neurologically, and mentally. Dogs first develop their
sense of smell, then hearing, then eyesight.
The second stage is the human socialization phase,
which is roughly from week seven through week twelve. During this stage
the puppy should be taken from the litter and socialized with you
(human beings). Some suggest that day 49 is the magic day. This may be
so, but if you can't pick up the pup on that exact day, as long as the
breeder has started human socialization in earnest and is concerned for
the pups proper development and giving them the one-on-one contact they
need, you should be ok.
The third phase, the fear stage, takes place within
the human socialization period, somewhere between weeks eight and
twelve. When this period starts and how long it lasts varies between
breeds, litters and individuals. Just understand that it is a natural
stage, look for it, and know how to bring your pup through it.
The fourth phase is the independence or early adolescence stage,
which is roughly from four to eight months. During this stage the pup
begins to gain more independence, similar to a young teenager –
realizing that there is more to life than Mom and Dad and home life.
The final stage of maturation is the late adolescence/early maturity phase from twelve months to three years.
During this stage the dog should be fun, energetic, playful and largely
a joy to be around, but remember, just like a sixteen year old, they
can act so mature, then turn and do some of the dumbest things. They
are still young and can be very frustrating. I
Characteristics Of the French Brittany
In temperament, the Brittany is friendly
and eager to please. These friendly little dogs hunt more like a Setter
due to their pointing ability, and are higher on their legs than other
Spaniels. The Brittany does not require a heavy hand in training. In
fact, they may quit if the discipline is too stern. Much more is
accomplished with a gentle hand. They seek human attention, which makes
them easier to train than some other hunting breeds. They make close
working hunting dogs, fine companions, and family pets.
CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE
In some ways, choosing between male
and female dogs is a matter of personal preference. However, there are
some characteristics which are common in bitches and other
characteristics which are common in male dogs.
It is important to evaluate these characteristics and determine which
sex would fit in best with your home situation. Additionally, choosing
between male and female dogs is important if you already have another
bitch or male dog and are choosing an additional dog. This article will
list a few characteristics of bitches, a few characteristics of male
dogs, and how to choose between male and female dogs when considering a
second or third dog.
The following characteristics often apply to bitches:
Independent
- Bitches tend to want to be in control of the entire situation. They
may come to their owner when they are seeking affection but will often
move away when they have had enough.
Stubborn
- In many packs, a bitch is typically the Alpha. Female dogs crave more
control of situations and are quick to respond to perceived challenges
with fierceness.
Territorial - Female dogs
mark in the same way male dogs do. A spayed female may continue to mark
for her entire lifetime regardless of when she is spayed while most
males will cease marking behaviors shortly after they are neutered and
the testosterone levels subside.
Reserved -
Bitches are generally less affectionate and friendly than male dogs.
This characteristic is noticeable in puppies and becomes more
pronounced with age.
Changes in Mood or Behavior
- It is also important to note that if you do not spay your bitch, she
will come into heat at approximately one year of age and approximately
every six months thereafter. During this time, there will be some
bleeding as well as a change in mood or behavior.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE
Affectionate
- Male dogs are typically more affectionate than bitches. They tend to
crave attention from their owners more than bitches and as a result,
display more affectionate behaviors.
Exuberant
- A male dog is also more likely to be fun-loving and outgoing
throughout his lifetime than a bitch. While a bitch tends to become
more reserved as she ages, a male dog maintains a more puppy-like
exuberance throughout his lifetime.
Food-Motivated
- Males are often very motivated by food. This food motivation can make
training extremely easy as treats can be used to lure and reward a dog
to display desired behaviors.
Attentive -
While bitches tend to be more independent, males tend to be more
focused on their human companions. They want to always be close to the
human and are very eager to please.
Aggressive Behaviors -
It is also important to note that intact males may display aggressive
behaviors toward other males or exhibit marking behaviors.
Additionally, intact males should be kept away from females in heat
unless a breeding is planned.
Dog owners who are adding an
additional dog to their home should carefully consider the
ramifications of adding a dog of either sex. This is important because
the makeup of the existing pack may be more accepting to either a male
or a female dog. The following are general tips for selecting the
gender of a second dog:
If you already have a male or a
female, a dog of the opposite sex is generally the best choice. Dogs of
the same sex are more likely to fight than dogs of the opposite sex.
If
you already have a male dog, he is likely to be more accepting of a
female and you are likely to have fewer dominance issues if you add a
female to the pack. However, if you opt to add another male to the
pack, they can peacefully co-exist and may even become friends. It is
important to closely monitor their interactions early on to ensure
aggressive behaviors do not become common.
If you already have
a female dog, she is likely to be more accepting of a male. Most males
tend to be submissive. If he does not challenge your resident female,
she is not likely to have a reason to fight with him. Adding a female
dog to the pack, however, may result in complications. The worst
combination of dogs is two bitches because they are more likely to
fight than a male and a female or two males. However, many dog owners
have two or more bitches that live together without problems. As long
as there is an established Alpha and the other bitches know their place
in the pack, there will not be dominance struggles often, although they
may still occur
