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Puppy Socialization & Development Flashcards

7 cards from real CDT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Puppy Socialization & Development flashcards as text

  1. What is the primary behavioral significance of the 'juvenile period' in canine development (approximately 3–6 months)?

    Answer: The puppy transitions from dependent exploration to more independent behavior as social hierarchies begin forming

    The juvenile period marks increasing independence, rank-related behaviors, and continued but slower social learning as the sensitive period closes.

  2. A client reports that their 10-week-old puppy suddenly became fearful of the mailbox that it previously ignored. Which developmental explanation is most likely?

    Answer: The puppy is entering a secondary fear impact period

    A secondary fear period commonly occurs around 8–10 weeks; stimuli that previously caused no reaction may suddenly elicit fear responses.

  3. How does the concept of 'social referencing' apply to puppy socialization?

    Answer: Puppies look to their owner's emotional response to evaluate whether a novel stimulus is safe or threatening

    Puppies use social referencing — monitoring the owner's calm or anxious reaction — to assess unfamiliar situations, making the handler's demeanor critical.

  4. Which neurochemical is most associated with stress inoculation and resilience building through early mild stressors in puppies?

    Answer: Cortisol

    Brief, mild cortisol activation through early stressors (Early Neurological Stimulation) appears to calibrate the HPA axis for better stress regulation later in life.

  5. A puppy raised in isolation from other dogs until 14 weeks will most likely show which behavioral deficit?

    Answer: Impaired canine social communication and difficulty reading dog body language

    Dogs deprived of conspecific contact during the sensitive period often fail to develop normal canine social signals, leading to communication deficits with other dogs.

  6. What does the term 'imprinting' specifically refer to in canine behavioral science?

    Answer: A rapid, time-sensitive form of learning that shapes social preferences during a critical window

    Imprinting is a form of learning during a sensitive period that has lasting effects on species recognition and social preferences.

  7. A trainer notices a puppy in class is shutting down (lying flat, refusing treats) during introductions to new dogs. What intervention is most appropriate?

    Answer: Remove the puppy from the situation immediately and reduce stimulus intensity in future sessions

    Shutting down indicates the puppy is over threshold; continuing exposure risks sensitization, so reducing intensity and allowing recovery is critical.