Maternal care is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in the behavioral development of dogs. A 2017 study published in Animals examined how the amount of maternal care received in the early weeks of life shaped puppies’ later coping strategies and social interactions.
Giovanna Guardini and colleagues studied 12 litters (72 puppies) reared in a home environment. Maternal behaviors, including nursing, licking, and physical contact, were observed during the first three weeks after birth. When the puppies reached two months of age, they were tested in both an arena test (with a stranger present) and an isolation test to measure stress and social responses.
The findings revealed clear associations between maternal care and puppy behavior. In the arena test, puppies receiving higher maternal care showed greater attention and approach to strangers, but also displayed stress signals such as whining and yelping. They were less inclined to explore and play independently. In the isolation test, maternal care was linked to increased howling and stress behaviors, but less yawning and lying down, indicating more active coping strategies.
These results suggest that early maternal care shapes puppies’ coping styles and social tendencies, influencing how they respond to both humans and stressful situations. The authors highlight that the developmental trajectory is not shaped by maternal care alone but also by the social and environmental enrichment available to the puppies.
Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of nurturing maternal behavior for the development of socially confident, adaptable dogs, reinforcing the role of early life experiences in shaping long-term welfare.
Source: Guardini, G., Bowen, J., Mariti, C., Fatjó, J., Sighieri, C., & Gazzano, A. (2017). Influence of Maternal Care on Behavioural Development of Domestic Dogs (Canis Familiaris) Living in a Home Environment. Animals, 7. Authors: Giovanna Guardini, Jonathan Bowen, Chiara Mariti, Jaume Fatjó, Claudio Sighieri, Angelo Gazzano. Publication Date: 2017-12-01. Journal: Animals (MDPI).
