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Sensorial Development in Puppies

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Building Confidence and Resilience**




a GSD and his owner
Working and training brings Bond

Sensorial development in puppies is a critical process that involves exposing them to various stimuli—such as different noises, surfaces, environments, textures, obstacles, and surprises—during their early life stages. This exposure is essential for shaping well-rounded, confident, and resilient adult dogs.


a puppy in a tunnel
Puppy doing sensorial exercises program

The Role of Sensorial Exposure-Sensorial development in puppies


During the early weeks and months of a puppy's life, their brain is highly receptive to new experiences. This is the ideal time to introduce them to a wide range of stimuli in a controlled and positive manner. Here's how each type of exposure contributes to a puppy's development:


1. **Noises**:

Introducing puppies to various sounds, from household appliances to city traffic, helps them become accustomed to the auditory world around them, preventing sound sensitivity or fear-based reactions later in life.


2. **Footings and Textures**:

Walking on different surfaces, such as grass, gravel, tile, and sand, helps puppies develop physical coordination and confidence, preventing fear of unfamiliar textures.


Puppy on rail footing, sensorial Southernwind Program
Puppy on rail footing, exposed to sensorial program

3. **Environments**:

Exposing puppies to diverse environments, such as parks, urban areas, and indoor spaces, helps them adapt to new settings, reducing anxiety and promoting calm behavior in unfamiliar places.


4. **Obstacles and Challenges**:

Navigating obstacles like tunnels, low walls, or uneven terrain builds problem-solving skills and self-assurance, reinforcing a puppy's belief in their abilities.


5. **Unexpected Surprises**:

Gradual exposure to surprises, such as sudden movements or changes in the environment, helps puppies develop stable nerves, reducing the likelihood of fear-based reactions.


The Importance of Early Exposure


Puppies that experience a rich variety of stimuli during their developmental phase are more likely to grow into confident and well-adjusted adults. Early exposure teaches them that new and unexpected experiences are a normal part of life. In contrast, puppies that lack this exposure often struggle with anxiety, fear, and reactive behavior when faced with unfamiliar situations.


Here we present different examples of Exposures that Puppies should experience:


Puppy Exposure to Kinds of People

  • infants

  • toddlers

  • older kids/teens

  • adults/old people

  • men and women

  • people of different ethnicities/races

  • big and small people

  • people with sunglasses

  • people wearing hoods, hats, backpacks, and umbrellas

  • people in uniforms: police, medical, firefighters

  • people with canes, crutches, or in wheelchairs


Puppy Exposure to People Doing Things

  • running

  • throwing balls

  • kneeling down to garden

  • doing yoga or tai chi

  • standing on chairs or ladders

  • using tools

  • pushing brooms

  • carrying bags and boxes

  • vacuuming

 

Puppy Exposure to Animals

  • other dogs/dogs that look different to your pup

  • cats

  • horses

  • chickens

  • goats

  • any other animal your dog may come into contact with

 

Puppy Exposure to Things That Move

  • bicycles

  • skateboards

  • running kids

  • kites

  • motorcycles

  • cars

  • trucks

  • fire engines

  • running animals

 

Puppy Exposure to New Places

  • your car

  • the veterinarian’s office

  • parks

  • beaches

  • shopping areas

  • sidewalks with cars going by

  • areas where you might walk or hike or vacation

  • other people’s houses

  • pet stores

 

Noises That Come with Everyday Life

  • blow dryers

  • kitchen appliances

  • vacuums

  • doorbells

  • walk-sign beeps

  • trucks backing up

  • neighbors in their yards

  • kids yelling

  • babies crying

  • wind and thunder noises

  • fireworks

 

Puppy Exposure to Different Surfaces

  • grass

  • gravel

  • pavement

  • carpet

  • shiny floors

  • mulch

  • sand

  • wet surfaces outside

  • the bathtub

 

Puppy Exposure to Handling

  • touching for vet visits

  • grooming

  • patting heads

  • hugging (Note: See “How Dogs Interpret Your Body Language,” to learn why WDJ does NOT recommend hugging dogs; we suggest you expose your puppy to hugs, however, because he is bound to receive one from somebody sooner or later)

  • invasive interactions, such as people invading their space, taking things from them, hugging them without warning, and getting into their food

 

Other Puppy Exposure Ideas

  • heavy rain

  • people with surfboards

  • boats

  • tall buildings

  • wild animals like skunks, raccoons and groundhogs


Genetics and Sensorial Development


While sensorial development and Exposure is crucial in shaping a puppy's behavior, genetics also play a significant role. A puppy with a strong genetic predisposition for confidence and stable nerves will benefit greatly from early exposure to stimuli. These puppies are more likely to develop into resilient adults, capable of handling stress and new experiences with ease. However, for puppies that are genetically predisposed to be more timid or sensitive, building confidence through sensorial exposure can be more challenging.


Conclusion


Sensorial development is a vital aspect of raising well-rounded dogs. By exposing puppies to a variety of stimuli in a positive and controlled manner, we can significantly enhance their self-confidence, adaptability, and overall emotional resilience. While genetics play a foundational role in a puppy's temperament, the experiences provided during their early development can make a profound difference, setting the stage for a lifetime of calm and confident behavior.





External Links to Scientific Data


- [The Importance of Early Socialization in Puppies - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)]

(https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/puppy-socialization)

- [Canine Behavior: Genetics and the Socialization Period - National Institutes of Health (NIH)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7139392/)

- [The Role of Early Experiences in Canine Development - Journal of Veterinary Behavior](https://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/S1558-7878(09)00229-3/fulltext)



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