Development, Communication and Social Behavior in the Dog

Lecture Notes

In this picture Tulip is just over two weeks old. As you can see, her eyes are open, so once again, puppies' eyes open between the ages of 12 and 14 days. The ability to see develops gradually. One study showed that puppies that had been exposed to short periods of handling from birth to five weeks of age were more confident, exploratory, and social. They also had increased nervous system maturation, more rapid hair growth and weight gain, earlier opening of the eyes, and enhanced motor development. Early handling may lead to improved learning ability and a more emotionally stable puppy. So the end of the neonatal period means the beginning of the next, which is the transition period.