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Health and Behavioral Problem Discussions |
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In this section, Dr. Dare Miller answers our customers' letters.
LETTER# 8:
FAMILY INQUIRES ABOUT WHEN TO BEST GET A NEW DOG
Dear Dr. Dare: Our dog was killed in the street a few days ago. My husband and the boys (ages 7 and 9) want to get another one. I'd like to see if we couldn't do a better job of raising this one. Maybe if Tippy had listened to me he wouldn't have run out and gotten killed.
We saw you on a television program when you talked about the desirability of getting a puppy on the 49th day after he was born. You said such a dog learns better and listens to its owners. Please tell me if I heard this right. Starting Over in Dover, Del.
Dear Starting Over: Yes, you're pretty close. If your goal is a relatively problem-free companion dog the ideal time to take the puppy home from the litter is during the sixth week and no later than the 49th day (see "Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog" by Scott and Fuller, pg 181). You do not mention at what age you got your previous dog. I suspect you may have gotten him late from the litter, since you say he wouldn't "listen" to you very well, indicating he was probably aggressive and somewhat "bossy." On the other hand, puppies acquired very early from the litter (3 to 5 weeks of age) show greater than average regressive tendencies. Some withdraw, hide under the bed, or bite themselves (Secret of Canine Communication, Miller, pg 163).
Those of us having a dog brought into our household late from the litter often find him aggressive, stand-offish, suspicious, and hard to get to mind, sometimes exhibiting what may be referred to as the neighborhood bully syndrome. Such a dog may even continually pick a fight just to prove to himself that he is "top dog." So try to acquire your new puppy during the sixth week because they do civilize even humanize best at this time. Much less training effort is required with a puppy or dog that is owner-oriented.
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