If puppies live with humans from an early age, they are very likely to think they are humans rather than dogs. They like the human lifestyle. They enjoy wearing clothes, sleeping under blankets, and playing with children. When placed with their own kind, they can act very arrogant. Do dogs know they are dogs? How do dogs know they are dogs?

Socialization Is Growing Into an Adult Dog

Puppies learn about the world around them through a variety of experiences and grasp ways to communicate with it, preparing for future social life. This period is called the socialization period (sensitive period). During this stage, puppies absorb a large amount of knowledge from numerous stimuli or experiences.

Although breeds and personalities vary, the socialization period generally refers to the 3 to 13 weeks after a puppy is born.

The first half of the socialization period roughly corresponds to the nursing period.

Newborn puppies don’t even know who they are. At first, relying only on instinct, puppies learn from their mother how dogs greet each other and interact. From birth, the mother dog not only nourishes the puppy’s body but also teaches it how to communicate with other dogs in the canine world.

Additionally, puppies learn practically how to fight and the rules of fighting by playing with their brothers and sisters born at the same time.

If a puppy does not have enough contact with its mother or other dogs during the nursing period and only lives with humans, it will think it is human. As a result, when encountering other dogs during walks, the puppy may not recognize them as its kind, possibly attacking them indiscriminately or fleeing out of fear.