The third/fourth stage of puppy development
Awareness or identification period
- Involves a two part process: 3-4 weeks of age and a heightened level of awareness or identification at 4-5 weeks of age.
- Puppies display increased mobility and are sleeping less.
- All senses are active and interaction with littermates is developing and increasing rapidly.
- Primary teeth continue erupting and by 4 weeks of age the pup will begin sampling from a food bowl; mother`s milk remains the main source of nourishment.
- Able to regulate body temperature.
- Awareness and a miniscule amount of control of body functions - will move away from sleeping area to eliminate.
- Vocalization becomes louder.
- By five weeks of age the secondary awareness or identification phase is apparent.
- All baby teeth have erupted although it may be six weeks of age for smaller breeds. A good quality puppy food moistened with water should be available. The mother is nursing less.
- Interaction with littermates becomes more vigorous and involves play fighting.
- Puppies will investigate and grab objects, chew or engage in a game of tug of war with littermates.
- Confidence in their familiar environment is evident and a pecking order is developing although the pecking order may change daily. Personality traits are becoming apparent.
- When removed from their `safe`environment, some puppies may freeze with fear while another may react with great enthusiasm. Most will be something in the middle, displaying caution until they have adjusted to the new surroundings.
- Five weeks of age is the beginning of the very important socialization phase.
by Kelly