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Puppy's Psychological Growth
0 to 7 weeks - Neonatal, Transition, Awareness, and Canine Socialization
Puppy is with mother and littermates up to seven weeks. During this period, your puppy learns about social interaction, play, and inhibiting aggression from its mother and littermates.
Puppies must stay with their mother and littermates through this critical period. As the puppies learn the most important lesson in their lives - they learn to accept discipline. It is at this time that they also
learn not to toilet in the nest.
7 to 16 weeks - Human Socialization Period
The best time to take a puppy home is 8 to 10 weeks . You then have time to work with the dog over this incredibly important period. The puppy now has the brain waves of an
adult dog, but his attention span is short. This period is when the most rapid learning occurs. Learning at this age is permanent so this is the perfect time to start training, but make
it fun. This is also the time to introduce the puppy to things that will play an important part in his life. Different people, places, animals, vacuums, washing machines and unusual sounds, in
a positive, non-threatening way.
8 to 12 weeks - Fear Imprint Period
While the puppy is going through human socialization it is also has an important fear impression period. This starts at 5 weeks and peaks between 8 and 12 weeks. Any traumatic, frightening
or painful experience will have a more lasting effect on the puppy than if it occurred at any other time in its life. This period, if you do not handle it correctly, could give your dog a
lasting fear of say traffic, people wearing hats or other frightening noises or events. Never ever praise or sympathize with your puppy when it is showing fear. This only serves to confirm the fear.
14 to 16 weeks - Seniority Classification Period
Puppy starts to cut teeth and apron strings! Puppy begins testing its position in the family unit. You must discourage all biting; the dog should have started to learn and understand
bite inhibition by this time! It is important that you are a strong and consistent leader. The period between 0 and 16 weeks is the most important period in your dog's life.
He will learn more during that short space of time than at any other time in his life. Other windows of opportunity for learning will open during your dog's life, however, what you see at 16 weeks without extensive
traiing and behavioral modification is about what you are going to get as an adult. Therefore, work hard on giving your pet the best start in his life.
4 to 8 months - Play Instinct Period. Flight Instinct Period.
Puppy may wander and ignore you. It is very important that you keep the puppy on a leash at this time! The way that you handler your puppy at this time will determine if he comes to you when called.
At about 4 1/2 months, your puppy loses his milk teeth and gets his adult teeth. That is when he begins serious chewing! A dog's teeth don't set in his jaw until between 6 and 10 months. During
this time, the puppy has a physical need to exercise his mouth by chewing. Training must continue through this period or all your good work may revert back to stage one. Occasionally,
the puppy will start to urinate in the house again. If this happens, just go back to basic toilet training.
6 to 14 months - Second Fear Imprint Period or Fear of New Situations Period
Dog will again show fear of new situations and even familiar situations. Dog may be reluctant to approach someone or something new. It is important that you are patient and act very
matter of fact in these situations. Never force the dog to face the situation. DO NOT pet the frightened dog or talk in soothing tones. The puppy will interpret
such responses as praise for being frightened. Training will help improve the dog's confidence.
1 to 4 years - Maturity Period
You may encouter some increased aggression and renewed testing for position and authority, however if you have spent lots of time with your dog and trained consistently
and regularly, then this should not present itself as a problem - in fact you may hardly notice this change, it is just something to keep in mind. Continue to train your dog
during this period. It is possible that your dog may have another fear period between 12 and 16 months of age.
Regardless of your reason for acquiring a puppy, you will have to win it over. You, not your dog, will have to create a safe and secure environment with ongoing training
if your puppy is to develop into a well-mannered family member instead of a thug or a burden.
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