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Bringing a puppy home is an exciting opportunity for anyone looking to add a furry friend to the family.
But some of us may be wracked with guilt at the thought of separating them from their mothers and siblings just weeks after birth.
Now, experts on The dog people have shared the true impact of this on pups – and you may be surprised.
It turns out that dogs separated from eight to 12 weeks of age generally forget all the siblings they parted with as early as two years old — if they live alone.
But it’s heartbreaking that these same dogs often continue to recognize their mothers after two years – and their mothers often remember them, too.
It takes dogs two years after they leave their nest to forget the siblings they said goodbye to
Veterinarians pointed to one 1994 Queen’s University study to prove this, who conducted scent-based tests on 10 mother dogs and 51 pups.
Golden retrievers, Labradors and Alsatians were among these groups, but no differences were recorded between any of the breeds.
Of the 25 quadrupeds, 19 showed a preference for their mother’s scent in the smell tests performed.
Fourteen of the 18 mothers also showed a preference for the smell of their offspring when presented on a cloth.
Britt Rosendahl, dog behaviorist and training specialist at Woodgreen Pet Charity, said: ‘It makes sense for dogs to have a strong recognition of their mothers as they are an altricial species. This means that the young are underdeveloped at birth, but mature with the help of their parents.
‘Survival mainly depends on the mother, so acknowledgment of the mother is crucial. Altricial animals are wired this way, which could be one reason why they recognize their mothers earlier than their siblings.”
Despite this sad truth, vets claim that separated pups will painlessly let go of the relationships they built in their former lives.
It is widely believed that dogs’ memories and emotions work in a very different way than ours, allowing them to bond with humans easily.
a study in 2016 suggested that dogs may have episodic memory, meaning they can remember specific events in the past.
But even this is quite limited as dogs seemed to forget things over an extended period of time.
Golden retrievers (pictured), Labradors and Alsatians were among the dogs to remember their mothers after being separated for two years
Still, vets recommend that puppies stay with their litters for eight to 12 weeks after birth.
Despite having less good memories, divorce before this point can actually lead to bigger problems later in life.
During the first few months, dogs develop their motor skills, stress resistance and control over their bite.
But breaking them up too early can hinder this, which could one day turn into anxiety, possessiveness, and aggression.
Some dogs may even have nightmares in adulthood if they experience something traumatic in their early stages.
Ms Rosendahl continued: ‘Leaving the safety and familiarity of their mother and littermates can be a daunting experience.
“But it’s best not to humanize dog behaviors because it can become harder to really understand them when you look at them from a human perspective.”
To best handle dogs, vets recommend making time for socialization and establishing a healthy routine of walks, meals, and playtime.
Creating a ‘zen zone’ is also beneficial for giving dogs much-needed space – which can be equipped with fences, crates and pens.
Ms Rosendahl added: ‘Each puppy is different and will adapt to its new environment at its own pace. Some puppies can settle in quickly, while others may take a few weeks to adjust. Let them rest in their own time during this transitional period.”