Genetics load the gun, the environment pulls the trigger

When you get your fresh new puppy at 8 weeks old, you are not starting from scratch.

That puppy comes to you with a genetic package from their ancestors, which includes everything from hardwired behaviours we’ve selected for different jobs as well as genes associated with temperament, including potential predispositions for things like resource guarding and anxiety. If mum has had a stressful time during pregnancy, this will also be passed on to her puppies and can show up in their health & behaviour long term. These are the bullets being loaded when puppies are born - they cannot be changed.

Then between 3-16 weeks is a really important time that shapes which of these bullets will fire, in what direction and how much power is behind them - the critical socialisation period. Some behaviour researchers even have that window starting to close as soon as 8 weeks old. This is the time in a puppies life when they are learning about the world at an accelerated rate, banking permanent knowledge around what is and isn’t safe, and how they feel about certain things - other dogs, people, cars, surfaces, noises etc. This is really important for us to get right so our pups feel as confident and happy in their world as possible.

✨If you are getting your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, so much has already happened to shape your pup towards their adult selves before you’ve even come into the picture. Much of that socialisation should already have started.✨

Of course you still have a huge amount of scope to guide and shape them in the direction you want throughout the rest of the critical socialisation period and beyond (though learning slows outside of things window). That’s what I spend a lot of time helping clients with as we work on getting puppy out and about to see the world! But we are always limited to what the puppy in front of us - their genetic potential and their existing experiences - is capable of.

This is why it’s so important to take your time to do your research on the pup that’s best going to suit your lifestyle, as well as the breeder or other source you are getting it from.

Before you fall in love with those gorgeous puppy eyes, find out:

🌟 What is that pup genetically geared to do & enjoy?

🌟 What are the parents temperaments like? How about their grandparents and aunts and uncles?

🌟 How have they been raised, and is this preparing them for life in your world?

🌟 What have they been exposed to already, and what were those experiences like?

🌟 Have there been any traumas either during pregnancy or the raising of those pups to be aware of?

This research is all loading the gun in your favor. Take the time to get it right, giving you both the best chance at a smooth ride going forward.

Then once you have the puppy, let’s do everything we can to shape them into the best version of themselves that individual pup is capable of being.

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Do you need help getting your new puppy to be the best version of themselves that they can be? I offer owner coaching sessions throughout Waipa and surrounding areas to support you. Flick me a message for more info.