The development of social structure during the primary socialization period in German shepherds

The ontogeny of primary socialization in a litter of 5 German shepherd puppies was investigated using both arena tests and rearing environment (kennel) conditions. Tests for exploratory behavior, conducted at 5 1/2, 8 1/2, and 11 1/2 weeks of age, showed reversals in amount of exploration over the 6-week period. Dominance was also investigated at 5 1/2, 8 1/2, and 11 1/2 weeks, using both a bone-in-pen test and a rearing environment setting. By comparison of the subjects' dominance scores at each age for both settings, evidence was found for the separation of the development of dominance behavior into 2 kinds: competitive and social dominance. The scores for exploratory behavior (stimulus reactivity) and competitive dominance were clearly related: those pups at 5 1/2, 8 1/1, and 11 1/2 weeks that were most exploratory also ranked highest for competitive dominance.