Puppy Development Fear Periods
Fear imprint period (8 to 10 weeks) the puppy is very susceptible to long lasting effects of fearful stimuli at this stage.
Puppy development fear periods. Fear periods are a normal part of puppy development, but they also can be overwhelming for dogs. Veterinary behaviorists, this first fear period takes place between the ages of 8 to 10 weeks. Many will go through a fearful time when they begin teething between four and five months of age.
Critical periods in puppy development. He cannot regulate body functions such as temperature and elimination. 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. This period is when the most rapid learning occurs. Great care should be taken to avoid fearful reactions during this stage.
Concurrently, the fear impact period begins at eight weeks and ends at 11 weeks. Most people realize that puppies have a fear period, however are unaware that there are actually up to 4 recognised fear periods. The puppy now has the brain waves of an adult dog, but the attention span is short.
This second fear period is also at the time many owners are. It’s so useful for guardians to know that this stage is temporary and that it is completely normal. If the puppy perceives an event as traumatic, he may generalize it and it could affect him for the rest of his life.
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. He cannot regulate body functions such as temperature and elimination. Generally speaking, puppies go through two potential fear periods during puppyhood.