Puppy Development Fear Periods
If the puppy perceives an event as traumatic, he may generalize it and it could affect him for the rest of his life.
Puppy development fear periods. Try to avoid frightening the puppy during this time, since traumatic experiences can have an effect during this period. A second fear period can happen during the fifth of sixth month of development, but can happen a bit later, during puppy’s adolescent period (any time between 6 to 12 months of age). 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.
Many will go through a fearful time when they begin teething between four and five months of age. The puppy responds only to warmth, touch, and smell. Puppies will experience two different fear periods before reaching adulthood.
Tail wagging begins and the puppy begins to control body functions. Your puppy is coming into a new home, leaving behind his mother, and litter mates, and is being introduced to a new family. They are dependent on their mother or another heat source to keep them warm.
Most people realize that puppies have a fear period, however are unaware that there are actually up to 4 recognised fear periods. Generally speaking, puppies go through two potential fear periods during puppyhood. Eyes and ears are open, but sight and hearing are limited.
So to take a puppy from everything it knows such as the breeder, littermates and mum at this critical time can have serious repercussions. As you can see, this period overlaps that of the previous definition and children or animal should not be allowed to hurt or scare the puppy — either maliciously or inadvertently. It’s so useful for guardians to know that this stage is temporary and that it is completely normal.
Puppies experience two fear periods during their development, and each fear period lasts for about 2 to 3 weeks, on average. Eyes and ears are open, but sight and hearing are limited. The fear can be of.