25/06/2025
Klokt beskrivet
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15zCtEhRc9/
When we talk behavioural development, there are many contributors, past and present, having a say in how that dog responds to their world.
To say that "puppies are clean slates" is inaccurate and a profound underestimation of the impacts of everything that puppy has been exposed to since conception.
There are genetic effects and epigenetic effects affecting behavioural development from conception. By the time a puppy is ~12 weeks and approaching the end of some of the most impressionable and impactful periods in brain and body development, there have already been months of effects in play.
And this stuff that happens during these early months impacts behaviour throughout life.
At the same time, to say "that it's all in how they're raised" is also inaccurate and dismissing the impact of genetics and epigenetics effects.
To give puppies and dogs the best chances of thriving in the human world, there are many considerations and care required with the genetic mix, the experiences of mum before & throughout pregnancy, the environment into which puppies are born, and everything else that happens to them before they even come home.
Part of welfare is ensuring this is central to providing dogs with the best outcomes. And, where we haven't been able to directly adjust these early elements, we must recognise deficits and put interventions in place immediately to prevent further damage to brain and behaviour development and ensure we have current elements in place to meet needs appropriately.
