Introduction
This article will explore the question of whether dogs recognize puppies as babies and treat them differently than they would adult dogs. We’ll examine dogs’ parental instincts, how puppies give off certain cues, the role of chemical signals and senses like sight and smell, how experience and learning shape dogs’ interactions, differences between breeds, and the impact of human intervention. By the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of dogs’ perception of puppies and their capacity to recognize puppies as infants with special needs.
Dogs’ Parental Instincts
Just like human parents, most dogs have a strong innate drive to care for their puppies (AKC, 2021). This parental instinct emerges as the puppies are born. According to the AKC, a mother dog will become very protective of her puppies starting on the first day after giving birth. However, after a couple days, she will allow other people to approach the puppies once she feels comfortable. The mother dog cleans and feeds the puppies, keeps them warm, and teaches them behaviors they need to survive (Pethelpful, 2022).
A mother dog’s maternal instincts are driven by hormones and emotions. When a female dog is pregnant, hormonal changes prepare her body and brain to take care of the puppies. Oxytocin levels increase during birth and nursing, promoting bonding between the mother and puppies. Prolactin levels also rise to stimulate milk production. The emotional bond develops as the mother dog interacts with and cares for her puppies after birth (Petreleaf, 2021).
These innate instincts provide the foundation for a mother dog’s parenting behaviors. However, experience and learning also shape the mother dog’s interactions with her puppies over time (Pethelpful, 2022). Ultimately, maternal care from the mother is essential for the puppies’ survival and healthy development in the early weeks.
Puppy Cues
Research has shown that adult dogs respond to physical and behavioral cues from puppies that trigger caregiving instincts. Puppies have certain physical characteristics known as the “baby schema” that appeal to adult dogs and humans, including large foreheads, large eyes set low on the face, rounded body shapes, and soft, clumsy movements (Borgi, 2016). These physical traits resemble human infant characteristics and cause a caregiving response.
In addition to physical features, puppies exhibit behavioral cues that prompt nurturing from adult dogs. These include whining, yipping, licking, and following – actions that mimic signs of neediness in human babies. Researchers found that adult dogs show greater interest and care when exposed to puppies exhibiting these cues compared to silent, inactive puppies (The Wildest, 2022). The combination of physical and behavioral puppy cues tap into adult dogs’ innate caregiving instincts.
Chemical Signals
Pheromones play an important role in how dogs perceive and interact with puppies. Mother dogs release special pheromones that communicate to their puppies that they are safe, which triggers feelings of comfort and calmness. Puppies, in turn, release pheromones that signal to the mother dog that they are her offspring.
One key pheromone is dog appeasing pheromone, also known as DAP. As explained in studies like Efficacy of dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP) for managing stress-related and anxiety behaviors in dogs, when dogs smell DAP it triggers associations with the comfort and safety of being with their mother and littermates as puppies. This helps create a parental “instinct” in dogs when they interact with puppies.
So through chemical signals like pheromones, dogs are able to recognize puppies as their babies or offspring in need of care and protection. The pheromones shape the dogs’ perception of puppies as vulnerable and elicit nurturing, parental behaviors.
Vision and Smell
Dogs rely heavily on their senses of vision and smell to identify puppies. Puppies are born with their eyes closed and ears tightly folded, so they must locate their mother and littermates by smell in the critical first few weeks (Source). A puppy’s sense of smell develops in the womb and is already quite strong at birth. Puppies recognize the unique scent signature of their mother and siblings, which is influenced by chemicals, hormones, and pheromones (Source).
As puppies mature over the first month, their vision steadily improves. However, their color vision and visual acuity remain inferior compared to adult dogs. Puppies also have a hard time seeing objects clearly at a distance. So while puppies may recognize the general shape and motion of other dogs, their vision alone is not enough to distinguish individuals. Their highly advanced sense of smell fills in the gaps.
A dog’s nose is equipped with over 300 million scent receptors, allowing them to detect and memorize subtle chemical signatures. This gives dogs an incredibly detailed mental map of scents that enables identification. Even as puppies grow, they can recognize their mother and littermates by smell long before their vision fully develops (Source).
Learning and Experience
A dog’s prior experience with puppies can significantly influence their behavior towards puppies later in life. According to research, the early socialization period from 3-12 weeks is critical for shaping adult dog behavior (Howell et al., 2015). Dogs that are exposed to puppies during this developmental stage often become more nurturing and parental as adults.
Specifically, positive interactions with puppies enable dogs to develop caregiving behaviors like licking, nuzzling, and protecting pups. Adult dogs that were allowed to observe and interact with litters as juveniles are also more tolerant of typical puppy behaviors like mouthing and rough play. In contrast, dogs denied early puppy exposure may react fearfully or aggressively to puppies as adults due to lack of familiarity (Howell et al., 2015).
While genetics influence natural mothering ability, even male dogs and female dogs without parenting experience can display nurturing responses towards puppies after positive early socialization. However, ongoing interactions with puppies throughout adulthood further reinforce puppy-care behaviors in dogs of both sexes.
In summary, developmental research indicates early and ongoing exposure to puppies enables adult dogs to recognize puppy cues and respond appropriately with caregiving behaviors. Adult dogs lacking sufficient prior puppy experience may struggle to interpret or react properly to normal puppy conduct.
Breed Differences
Certain dog breeds exhibit strong maternal instincts and are more likely to recognize and care for puppies. Retrieval breeds like Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are known for being especially nurturing mothers due to their history of being bred as working dogs required to retrieve downed game for hunters. Their soft mouths and protective nature prime them to be gentle with puppies (This is why puppies from the same litter look different.).
On the other hand, terrier breeds that were historically used for hunting vermin, like Jack Russell Terriers, may have less inherent motherly instincts. However, proper socialization and experience caring for puppies can help dogs of any breed become more parental (Recombination Explained With Puppies). Ultimately an individual dog’s personality plays a big role, so making breed generalizations has limitations.
Human Intervention
Humans play an important role in facilitating the bonding process between adult dogs and puppies. When bringing a new puppy into the home, owners should be patient and allow the adult dog to get accustomed to the puppy’s presence gradually. Puppies can be rambunctious and irritating to adult dogs, so owners need to monitor their interactions closely. According to the ASPCA, adult dogs may exhibit aggressive behaviors like growling or snapping at first, but this is often just a reaction to the puppy’s energy and not true aggression.[1]
Owners can help facilitate positive interactions by keeping the puppy nearby but not allowing unfettered access to the adult dog. Allowing short, structured play times together and providing separate sleeping areas can help reduce tension. Providing one-on-one time with each dog is also important. Additionally, owners should discipline puppies appropriately so the adult dog doesn’t feel compelled to “correct” undesirable behaviors. With time, patience and proper training, an adult dog and new puppy can form a close bond.
Research shows adult dogs do not instinctively recognize puppies as young dogs. But with human guidance, adult dogs can learn to interpret puppy behaviors and cues. This allows them to exhibit parental-like behaviors of care and protection. So while the bond between an adult dog and puppy requires work, human intervention is key to helping facilitate a loving, nurturing relationship.
Dangers for Puppies
Puppies face significant dangers when interacting with adult dogs before they are fully vaccinated. According to the AKC, unvaccinated puppies under 16 weeks old are highly vulnerable to dangerous and potentially deadly illnesses like parvovirus, distemper, and leptospirosis, which they can contract through contact with infected dogs [1]. Puppies should receive a series of vaccinations starting at 6-8 weeks old to develop immunity, but they won’t be fully protected until after their third round at 16 weeks [1].
Even adult dogs that appear healthy can unknowingly carry and spread diseases to puppies. While socialization is important, puppy owners must be very cautious when allowing contact with strange adult dogs, especially in public areas where vaccination status is unknown [1]. It’s safest to wait until puppies are fully vaccinated before introducing them to new adult dogs.
Adult dogs may also show aggression toward puppies, even in households with normally gentle dogs. High energy puppies can overwhelm older dogs and provoke negative reactions. Owners should supervise all interactions between puppies and adult dogs and separate them if the adult dog shows signs of irritation or aggression [2]. Puppies should always have a safe space away from adult dogs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the evidence shows that dogs do recognize puppies as babies through a combination of instinct, chemical signals, sensory cues, and learned experience. Parenting behaviors like nursing, cleaning, and protecting indicate dogs identify puppies as their offspring needing care. Smells emitted by newborn puppies trigger caregiving hormones in mother dogs and likely other adult dogs too. Visually, dogs notice puppies’ small size, uncoordinated movements, and high-pitched noises as signs of infancy. While individual dogs vary in protectiveness based on breed, socialization, and temperament, most adult dogs seem able to distinguish puppies as vulnerable babies. Through repeated exposure caring for litters, dogs learn to interpret puppies’ appearance and behaviors. So while not all dogs exhibit strong parenting impulses, they can recognize cues indicating puppies require gentle handling. With their keen senses and ability to learn, dogs identify puppies’ unique needs, keeping their babies safe.