Allowing dogs and cats the opportunity to develop at their own rate is important. There is extensive individual variation in development. There are two risks associated with the concept of socialization. First, the assumption that social exposure should occur only during certain periods is incorrect. Clients should be encouraged to allow their pets to interact with other people, experience new places and activities, and encounter other animals or species in a positive manner during those sensitive periods. Given appropriate access, dogs and cats will expose themselves to social situations however, human lifestyles may deny pets those opportunities. ‘‘Socialization’’ is loosely based on the changes that occur during sensitive periods for development. Appropriate interventions should occur early and as needed. While developmental landmarks have typical ages at onset ( Tables 2 and 3), dogs and cats never stop learning from their experiences. Veterinarians should conduct multiple behavioral assessments throughout the first 18 mo in addition to those made during vaccine visits to ensure that the patient is progressing normally. Responses to stimuli during those periods may be accurate predictors of future behavior and should alert clients and veterinarians to early problems. Clients and veterinarians must communicate about early behavior and risk.Īnimals are best able to learn to respond to social and physical environments during specific neurodevelopmental life stages. If patients experience early stress (such as neglect, abuse, isolation, nutritional compromise, or environmental instability) or their mothers experience gestational stress, it’s likely that there will be adverse effects on early behavior. Calmer dogs and cats are easier to handle and train and may be less likely to become aggressive and fearful. The pre-, peri-, and postnatal environments are critical for creating calm, nonreactive animals. Age and life-stage patterns of behavior should be considered during behavioral and physical examinations. Normal patterns of behavioral change are predictable as the brain matures, whereas atypical changes may signal the development of a behavioral problem.

Animal age excersize by teeth