Puppy Development Fear Periods
Try to avoid frightening the puppy during this time, since traumatic experiences can have an effect during this period.
Puppy development fear periods. Veterinary behaviorists, this first fear period takes place between the ages of 8 to 10 weeks. Young dogs go through two separate “fear periods” as they grow, which are essentially times when the pup is extremely sensitive to bad experiences. This period is when the most rapid learning occurs.
Most dog owners will never witness this very first fear period considering that most puppies go to their new homes at 8 weeks, so it's worth noting that when referring to the first fear period, it's the one taking place at 8 to 10 weeks as described below. What does a fear period look like? Puppies experience two fear periods during their development, and each fear period lasts for about 2 to 3 weeks, on average.
Puppy development week by week starts as soon as your puppy is born. They already have a fur coat but they cannot yet control their own body temperature. The puppy responds only to warmth, touch, and smell.
Your puppy is coming into a new home, leaving behind his mother, and litter mates, and is being introduced to a new family. The puppy now has the brain waves of an adult dog, but the attention span is short. He cannot regulate body functions such as temperature and elimination.
Fear periods are a normal part of puppy development, but they also can be overwhelming for dogs. Growth and development continues into the adolescent phase, beginning at 5 to 6 months and extending up until your pup is 18 months old. Most people realize that puppies have a fear period, however are unaware that there are actually up to 4 recognised fear periods.
Puppies will experience two different fear periods before reaching adulthood. The human socialization period begins at seven weeks and ends at 12 weeks. The puppy responds only to warmth, touch, and smell.