Development & Socialization

**Week 0–1 | Birth to 7 Days

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“The Warmth & Safety Stage”**

Focus: Bonding, security, scent imprinting

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• Keep puppies warm, stable, and close to mom.

• Begin Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): gentle tactile exercises once daily.

• Introduce soft ambient sounds (white noise, heartbeat tracks).

• Minimal handling outside essentials — just safe, calm human contact.

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Goal: Build trust and neurological resilience without overstimulation.

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**Week 2 | Eyes & Ears Open

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“The First Peek Into the World”**

Focus: Mild sensory introduction

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• Continue daily ENS.

• Light handling by different people.

• Let them smell soft fabrics, blankets, your hands, kids’ clothing (low intensity).

• Keep environment calm and predictable.

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Goal: Expand their senses while keeping stress low.

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**Week 3 | Beginning Awareness

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“The Little Explorers Awaken”**

Focus: Introduction to environment & human connection

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• Puppies start wobbling around like tiny tanks.

• Add Early Scent Introduction (ESI): mild scents like grass, diluted lavender, leather.

• Gentle exposure to household sounds (doors, TV at low volume, footsteps).

• Begin shaping positive human association through soft cuddles, talking, and slow petting.

 

Goal: Build confidence with new sensations and voices.

 

**Week 4 | Personality Blooming

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“The World Gets Bigger”**

Focus: Structured exploration & beginning potty guidance

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• Introduce a puppy playpen with a potty area (pads + pine pellets).

• Start supervised play sessions outside the whelping box.

• Introduce simple toys: soft rattles, crinkle toys, plush items.

• Begin crate introduction with the door open only.

• Allow gentle interaction with teenagers or calm children.

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Goal: Encourage exploration while creating early boundaries and potty habits.

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**Week 5 | Social & Mental Growth

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“The Baby-Hippo Confidence Week”**

Focus: Social shaping & controlled challenges

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• Increase humans handling them (all gentle, all positive).

• Short crate sessions with siblings.

• New surfaces: grass, carpet, tile, rubber mat.

• New sounds: vacuum at a distance, clanking dishes, everyday household rhythms.

• Begin offering puppy-safe chews.

 

Goal: Build courage and curiosity — no fear imprinting.

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**Week 6 | Training Foundations

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“Beginning of the Thinking Brain”**

Focus: Micro-training sessions

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• Introduce sit-by-lure, name recognition, and gentle leash drags.

• Solo crate sessions with calming music.

• Car ride with siblings or in pairs.

• Structured play: tug (very gentle), chase toys, confidence tunnels.

• Increased exposure to new people, but controlled (no dog parks, no uncontrolled homes).

 

Goal: Build attention, shape manners, introduce independence.

**Week 7 | Socialization Surge

“The Confidence & Curiosity Peak”**

 

Focus: Big social world (safely)

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• Outdoor playtime in a secure yard.

• Multiple car rides: short, slow, calm.

• More textures: gravel, grass, pavement, mulch.

• Minor challenges like stepping over objects, finding hidden treats.

• Soft intro to stacking hands on their body (grooming prep): ears, paws, muzzle, tail.

 

Goal: Build environmental confidence and introduce structure.

 

**Week 8 | Transition to Home

 

“The Imprinting Window Opens”**

 

Focus: Preparation for new families

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• Intensify potty training and crate training.

• Short alone-time exercises (puppy separated from siblings for minutes).

• Continue exposure to household noises.

• Food puzzles and puppy-safe brain games.

• Begin “manding” behavior (sit for attention).

 

Goal: A puppy who is brave, adaptable, and ready for a new home routine.

 

**Week 9 | First Week Home

 

“The Bonding & Boundaries Week”**

 

Focus for new families: Routine, trust, consistency

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• Establish feeding, crate, bedtime schedule.

• Begin name training & recall games.

• Introduce structured exploration of the home.

• Gentle leash walking in safe areas (no parks).

• Continue chew training and redirection.

 

Goal: Build security, clarity, and healthy attachment.

 

**Week 10 | Obedience Foundations

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“The ‘I Have Opinions’ Week”**

 

Focus: Training + social shaping

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• Teach sit, down, come, wait.

• Reinforce crate comfort; extend crate times slightly.

• Car rides 2–3 times/week recommended.

• Exposure outings in a carrier or held in your arms:

  • Hardware store

  • Drive-thru

  • Pet-friendly outdoor spaces

• Continue handling paws, ears, teeth.

 

Goal: Shape a thinking, confident puppy that trusts you in new environments.

 

**Week 11 | Controlled Socialization

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“The Brave but Cautious Stage”**

 

Focus: Confidence + controlled introductions

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• Introduce safe, vaccinated adult dogs (family/friend dogs only).

• Explore new safe environments (no dog parks).

• Obedience practice with mild distractions.

• Keep reinforcing calm behavior.

 

Goal: Prevent fear periods and keep social experiences positive.

 

**Week 12 | The “Little Guardian” Stage

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“Identity Begins to Form”**

 

Focus: Balanced structure + exploration

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• Begin formal leash walking.

• Add new commands: place, leave it, watch me.

• Longer crate sessions with breaks.

• More supervised time outdoors and structured play.

• Build confidence gently through problem solving.

 

Goal: A balanced, bonded, confident Cane Corso ready for long-term training.