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NOBODY SAID THERE WERE “STAGES” TO RAISING A PUPPY!!!
I’ve had numerous “expectant families ” ask me some of these basic training and socialization techniques outlined below. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with some of these stages that YOUR puppy is sure to experience…
Beginning at 8 weeks and ending at approximately 11 weeks of age, what is going on:
- Any traumatic, painful or frightening experiences can have a lasting impact.
What You Can Do:
- Gradually introduce your puppy to new things, environments and people.
- Make experiences positive (provide treats or toys)
- Don’t push your puppy into fearful situations – take things slowly and allow him to adjust and get use to the situation.
- Do not let others push your puppy or be forceful with them.
- Provide a secure comforting demeanor.
- Teach the puppy you are there to protect and lead.
Seniority Classification Period (12-16 Weeks)
Your puppy has been in the home now for a few weeks. He has been watching you and the family very closely. He is picking up on human behaviors and reactions. He is learning the pecking order of the pack. As he observes and learns, he will then attempt to figure out where exactly he stands in the pack order, and to also see if moving up in the pack will work. After all, he knows who the “weak links” are and will start at the bottom and try to move right up the pack. How could such a cute little pup be such a pistol?
What is going on:
- Puppy will begin to question authority.
- Puppy will attempt to move himself up in the pack order.
- Puppy will try to dominate.
- Puppy will grab leashes
- Puppy will try to determine what activities are going to be done and when.
- Puppy may growl.
- Puppy may put his mouth on you.
- Puppy can often become over excited.
What you can do:
- Learn how your actions and body language communicate to your dog.
- Suggested reading: The Dog Listener – Author Jan Fennell
- Do not play aggressive games during this phase. (Tug or wrestling)
- If puppy becomes over excited, growls or mouths you, you stop all activity.
- Be very aware of how the puppy interacts with children – do not leave children unattended with the puppy.
- Enroll in a puppy kindergarten class to redirect some of the energy.
- Evaluate the whole family’s methods of interactions and corrections and make sure that all are consistent and clear. (Unified front concept here)
Flight Instinct Period (4 - 8 Months)
Your cute little puppy has been following you around for weeks now. He has been aware of where you are and would stay pretty close. During this period that same cute little puppy will decide that he is ready to go solo and take off running quicker than lightening. During this time, teaching the puppy that he must stay close by or come when called is critical. The failure to do this will result in a dog that will not be reliable to come or to stay close by as an adult and very well could lead the dog into a life or death situation.
What is going on:
- The puppy will become more independent.
- A puppy that previously would never go very far, will venture off.
- The Puppy will ignore commands to stay close or come.
- How you handle refusal to come or stay will affect future reliability off leash.
- Puppy will be clever in attempts to run around loose.
What you can do:
- Leash on 100% of the time they are not in a confined area.
- Never allow dog loose in an unconfined area. (Yes this is redundant to the above, so it must be pretty important for us to say it twice.)
- Being off leash outside of a confined area is reserved for who have been well trained.
- Enroll in training class that utilizes positive training techniques.
- Reinforce and continue to train your puppy “come”.
- Make "learning to come" a very positive experience.
- Oh… and never allow your puppy to be off leash in an unconfined area.
Adolescence Period (7 - 10 months)
This period is one of the most challenging for pet owners. They are so surprised when their puppy turns into “devil dog” or “Cujo”. This often is a time when many families start to worry that maybe they made a bad decision in getting a dog. Remember: you get what you put into it. You take the time right now to teach good habits, you will have the dog you always dreamed of for many years. This work will pay off.
What is going on:
- The puppy will become a free and independent thinker.
- The puppy will continue to review the pack order.
- The puppy will be very energetic.
- The puppy will be exuberant and enthusiastic.
- They turn into clowns with teeth.
- They will delight in learning new and fun things.
What you can do:
- Appreciate the humor of it all.
- Have you read the book The Dog Listener yet? It will help.
- Understand that despite the behaviors it is your time to continue to train and reinforce the things you do want him to do.
- Reaffirm the family pack order.
- Be realistic about expectations (still very much a puppy in a big boy body)
- Channel all that energy into positive learning experiences.
- Continue with training classes; explore options for additional training opportunities.
Second Fear Imprint Period (6 - 14 Months)
You have a puppy that is full of it…, he runs around like a clown in search of his next show. But then, BAM, he refuses to walk down some stairs, he is shaking in the car, or he jumps at the sound of the neighbor’s music. Surprise! This is normal, but you must help your dog figure out how to deal with his fears or concerns. The skills of learning how to “shake it off and keep going” will be valuable to him for the rest of his life. It will also reduce the chances that the things he fears will not be permanently imprinted for life.
What is going on:
- The puppy that was so confident will suddenly become reluctant to new things.
- This period can be subtle and can come and go several times over this entire period.
- It may appear to be unprovoked or unrelated to any specific occurrence.
- Puppy can become frustrating to their owners; you may notice this behavior more in males.
What you can do:
- Avoid extremes in your response (no anger or forcing or over comforting) .
- Be patient and understanding and be aware of surrounding and potential triggers.
- Work on desensitizing him with gradual introductions with rewards.
- Avoid too much reassurance or coddling (which is a reward for this behavior), instead praise w/rewards for his attempts.
- Don’t over react or correct the fearfulness – just make light of it and encourage him to deal with his fear (work through the fear).
- Your dog will take his clues from you, if you act frightened or concerned he will too.
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