Giovanna Guardini and colleagues (2016) investigated the influence of morning maternal care on the behavioral responses of eight-week-old Beagle puppies. The research focused on how early-life interactions with mothers affect coping mechanisms when puppies face novel environments and unfamiliar individuals.
The study found that the amount and quality of maternal care provided in the mornings had a measurable impact on puppies’ social responses, stress levels, and exploratory behavior. Puppies receiving higher levels of maternal contact and nursing were more confident, adaptive, and socially engaged compared to those with reduced maternal interaction.
These findings underscore the critical role of maternal behavior in early development, shaping emotional resilience and social adaptability in domestic dogs. By linking maternal care to coping strategies, the research adds to a growing body of evidence that early nurturing experiences contribute significantly to long-term behavioral outcomes in companion animals.
Source: Guardini, G., Mariti, C., Bowen, J., Fatjó, J., Ruzzante, S., Martorell, A., Sighieri, C., & Gazzano, A. (2016). Influence of morning maternal care on the behavioural responses of 8-week-old Beagle puppies to new environmental and social stimuli. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Authors: Giovanna Guardini, Chiara Mariti, Jon Bowen, Jaume Fatjó, Silvia Ruzzante, Anna Martorell, Claudio Sighieri, Angelo Gazzano.
