from article by Kathryn Lanam
During this week, play behavior becomes much more sophisticated, including growling, chasing, and "kill" games. Distance perception is much improved. Puppies should be eating real food well by now and most bitches and/or breeders will wean the litter.
Puppies need physical and mental challenges - things to move, chew on, climb on and carry and tug toys to share with littermates. Play helps develop the strength, agility, coordination and skills to function as an adult, whether a show dog, obedience of agility dog, hunting dog, herding dog or coursing hound. Puppies must develop the problem-solving ability and physical and mental skills to learn and excel at these adult activities. Research backs up the conclusion that puppies raised in environments lacking challenges are more likely to develop into fearful, less successful adults.
More time should be spent individually with each puppy, observing the puppy's behavior when taken to a strange place; putting them behind a barrier and watching them; and continually adding new objects and challenges for them while alone.
Behavioral characteristics will begin to be very different when the puppy is with its littermates than when it is by itself. Separating each puppy from the litter for increasingly longer periods of time will teach the puppy independence, prevent separation anxiety problems later in life and will encourage bonding and acceptance of humans.
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