Because dogs grow up so much more quickly than humans, their life lessons are much condensed. Up until about day forty-nine of a puppy's life, his mother and his pack are the most important things in his life. Hopefully, a good, conscientious breeder is providing stimuli over and above just his pack involvement. Even if the breeder is not, it is not until about day forty-nine that the pup's brain is neurologically complete.

It was once thought that staying with the pack and dam past that time made it harder for a pup to bond with people. There is some evidence a pup needs to learn some important social lessons between weeks seven to nine, so more breeders are leaving the pups with the mother and pack longer for the additional value of canine socialization.

Three to Seven Weeks

It used to be that a pup would be weaned from between three to seven weeks, but more recent research suggests that the pup's stomach is still permeable to undigested proteins before the age of six weeks. If the breeder wants to diminish the likelihood of allergies, it might be better to wait until after six weeks to start introducing foods to the pups. Most responsible breeders do not wean before six weeks, when the puppy's teeth are getting sharper and mom is more reluctant to continue to feed the puppies. From week three to seven, the mother is teaching her pups how to nurse gently, and they are learning from other pack mates how to play nicely.

Mom will do whatever it takes to get the pups to be gentle. She will give a hard look, growl, or remove herself entirely until all the pups get the idea that they need to be gentle. This is their first lesson in bite inhibition. Puppies taken from their mothers before eight weeks of age often do not have an adequate bite inhibition with other dogs and are too rough with people as well. Bite inhibition is an important lesson in growing up.

The pups learn from each other as well. They learn not to play too rough, how to be ignored, and how to entice someone else to play. Those that do not learn these basic lessons may find it difficult to accept discipline from other dogs and people later in life and harder to have good canine relationships with other dogs.

Seven to Twelve Weeks

From seven to twelve weeks, it is important for the puppy to be socialized as much as possible. Get all the friends and family members that you can over to see the new puppy. While vets quail at the idea of the puppy being out socializing before it has all of its vaccinations, if you can find a training facility that requires canine students to be vaccinated, you may not run much of a risk.

Socialization is so important that it is worth a certain amount of risk. It is crucial that little boxers meets as many other dogs during this time as possible, especially if you intend to show them later in obedience or conformation. Your boxer really needs to have the experience of meeting other dogs at this critical time in his life. Spending his time with other dogs and people will build his confidence in thinking he is safe and can cope with the demands of meeting other dogs and people. This is invaluable in a show or competition dog and in a safe, well-adjusted pet.