Puppy Development Fear Periods
Critical periods in puppy development.
Puppy development fear periods. Tail wagging begins and the puppy begins to control body functions. Many will go through a fearful time when they begin teething between four and five months of age. Newborn puppies are born at the end of nine weeks of pregnancy, with their eyes and ears tightly closed.
They already have a fur coat but they cannot yet control their own body temperature. We now know that the first fear period peaks at 8 weeks. Fear periods are times during which puppies become more sensitive to a variety of external stimuli.
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. During fear periods, puppies become more sensitive and aware of the world around them.
Fear periods are a normal part of puppy development, but they also can be overwhelming for dogs. Fear imprint period (8 to 10 weeks) the puppy is very susceptible to long lasting effects of fearful stimuli at this stage. 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).
Your puppy is coming into a new home, leaving behind his mother, and litter mates, and is being introduced to a new family. He cannot regulate body functions such as temperature and elimination. Concurrently, the fear impact period begins at eight weeks and ends at 11 weeks.
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. Veterinary behaviorists, this first fear period takes place between the ages of 8 to 10 weeks. It’s so useful for guardians to know that this stage is temporary and that it is completely normal.