Puppy Development Fear Periods
The puppy now has the brain waves of an adult dog, but the attention span is short.
Puppy development fear periods. The human socialization period begins at seven weeks and ends at 12 weeks. This also coincides with a very critical socialization period. Many will go through a fearful time when they begin teething between four and five 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. Critical periods in puppy development. He cannot regulate body functions such as temperature and elimination.
Veterinary behaviorists, this first fear period takes place between the ages of 8 to 10 weeks. Fear periods are times during which puppies become more sensitive to a variety of external stimuli. Fear imprint period (8 to 10 weeks) the puppy is very susceptible to long lasting effects of fearful stimuli at this stage.
Young dogs go through two separate “fear periods” as they grow, which are essentially times when the pup is extremely sensitive to bad experiences. Great care should be taken to avoid fearful reactions during this stage. During fear periods, puppies become more sensitive and aware of the world around them.
If the puppy perceives an event as traumatic, he may generalize it and it could affect him for the rest of his life. This second fear period is also at the time many owners are. Your puppy is coming into a new home, leaving behind his mother, and litter mates, and is being introduced to a new family.
Puppies experience two fear periods during their development, and each fear period lasts for about 2 to 3 weeks, on average. We now know that the first fear period peaks at 8 weeks. This period is when the most rapid learning occurs.