Dogs are social beings, and they learn a lot from their mom and littermates. Staying with mom and/or littermates is crucial for the psychological development of dogs. During their time with mom, they learn social cues, what is good and what is bad, how to behave among dogs, and how to distinguish friends from foes. Some dogs don’t have the luck to stay with their mom. Whether it’s because they were abandoned (by people) or a breeder sold them. Whatever the case, if they haven’t had enough time with their mom, some undesired behaviors can occur. What is considered early? Five weeks and under.

1. Separation Anxiety

If we take the puppy away from the litter at 5 weeks of age, we compromise healthy social structure development. The first example is a puppy with separation anxiety. Whenever the owner leaves home, the puppy gets either vocal, urinates inside the home, gets destructive, or exhibits some other unacceptable behavior. In other words, the dog misbehaves. The signs can also be more subtle. They can be: 

• shaking or shivering, 
• being too quiet or withdrawn, 
• hypersalivation, 
• showing signs of depression, etc. 

The situation changes when the owner returns. The dog/puppy is happy and excited again as soon as he sees the owner. The most common sign people experience is vocalization. And, the most common mistake a person makes in such situations is to return to the dog because they can’t listen to the sad cries of their puppy left alone at home. It is very hard to listen to the whimpers but returning to the dog every time it cries will only make the dog do it again, because why not – it worked the last time. 

By returning to the puppy as soon as we close the door and hear the cries, we unintentionally encourage such behavior. Dogs will soon learn and memorize that crying helps them bring their favorite person back. So, no matter how hard it is, don’t go back every time you hear the whimpers.

What to do: Make sure the puppy is well-fed, has been outside to urinate, and has a lot of toys around him before you leave. They have to have a place where they’ll feel safe. Maybe it’s their bed or a crate, with a comfort toy close by. Sometimes, leaving soft, calming music on helps. People usually leave classical music, but other genres are welcome as long as it is calming.

2. Too Attached To People

Being too attached to a person or people in the family differs from separation anxiety. Too attached puppies are sad, anxious, and insecure so much that they need to follow a person from room to room. They cannot be alone even though people are inside a home. These puppies are being too attached, to the point when leaving a room leads to barking and whimpering. These dogs are called “Velcro dogs” for a reason. 

If encouraged while they are still puppies (because it looks cute and we want to protect them and respond positively to their affection) it can lead to more problems when they get older. Too attached dogs are following the owner from room to room or anywhere the owner wants to go. They can also get too jealous of other animals or even people with growls and barking to tell the other person/animal they can’t be close to their favorite human. I’ve seen many videos on Instagram where people encourage this through reels they make with “cute” titles such as, “look how my dog loves me” or similar titles.

When the dogs are too attached, they can get jealous of other animals and people coming close to their favorite person, which can result in aggressive behavior

In my personal opinion, these videos just encourage unhealthy behavior. Dogs love us, and we love them, but they will not stay puppies forever, and we need to make sure they grow into confident and well-balanced dogs. What will happen if your 90-pound (40 kg) Doberman Pinscher starts growling or snapping at a child who came close to you in the park?

What to do: Start with correcting the behavior right away. I don’t mean shut the door behind and leave your dog alone every time, but pay attention to the signs. Can your dog stay alone in the room, or does it whimper and cry as soon as you leave? If the latter is the truth, you need to refocus your dog’s attention and be consistent. Don’t give them treats as a refocusing method. They will quickly learn that when they cry, they get a treat. Instead, give them something they can occupy their cute little heads with. Show them a squeaky toy, an interactive puzzle toy, or anything else that will make them focus on that and not on you. Read this article to see what toys to use and how to keep your dog safe at the same time.

3. Fearful Of Other Dogs

The third unwanted behavior that can result from a puppy being separated from its mom when they are 5 weeks old or less is a puppy/dog fearful (scared) of other dogs. This also stems from the lack of overall contact with other dogs. 

They didn’t learn how to interact with other dogs (littermates). They haven’t had a chance to learn how to react to a dog inviting them to play, to play fight, to hunt, to explore together. They haven’t had a chance to learn how to show they don’t want to fight or to show they are submissive. They haven’t had a chance to learn from their mom and show they don’t want any trouble when mom shows them what is off limits. 

It is not surprising a dog taken away from the litter too early will show signs such as being fearful of other dogs. It happens to all social animals and us people. Just like children who had no contact with peers develop different attitudes later when they start school, and get shy or reserved, the same goes with puppies or kittens. The fear of other dogs can show up as:

• fear-based aggression or 
• shyness, 

It depends on the dog’s personality, the owner’s influence, and the situation. Some puppies will show more fear when they meet a new dog, especially an adult dog. Other puppies will have more courage. But, they’ll all react fearfully.

What to do: Socialize, socialize, and socialize. And, slowly! Don’t throw your dog in the dog park. Don’t submerge your dog with emotions, hoping they’ll stay afloat and reach the shore. Start slow and with a dog you know is very friendly and well-trained. I guess a well-trained Golden Retriever will do. They are big kids, always looking for a partner to play with! It is also very important to be patient and full of support. Don’t yell and scare them further if they hide behind you. Give them support through kind words, pats on the back, and yes – be their protector, but don’t encourage hiding.

When To Separate Them?

We know that separating puppies from their mom when they are 5 weeks or younger is bad for their psychological and social development. But when is the best time to separate them? According to veterinarians and canine behaviorists, the best time is when they are 8 weeks old. This is the minimum, but there is no harm in separating them when they are older than 8 weeks. 

The minimum age to separate a puppy from its mom is 8 weeks

Final Thoughts 

If it happens that you have a puppy that shows signs of some of the three behaviors mentioned, don’t think it’s all lost. The first thing you should do is take your dog to a vet. Why? Because we want to make sure there are no physiological problems behind the restlessness, whimpering, or shyness. Once the vet tells you your puppy is healthy, start with the behavior treatment. Use the tips given in the article, and remember that patience and consistency are the key. If you feel like you are overwhelmed, a dog behaviorist is a professional who can help you with the issues. 

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Cover photo by Zoritsa Valova