Most People Realize That Puppies Have A Fear Period, However Are Unaware That There Are Actually Up To 4 Recognised Fear Periods.
Puppies that come through fear. This period covers the human socialisation period 0 to 12 weeks and canine socialisation period 0 to 16 weeks he will learn more during that short space of time than at any other time in his life. During this neonatal period puppies will crawl backward and forward and will swing their heads from side to side, often repetitively while mewing or trilling.
This Can Be An Incredibly Stressful Experience, Even For A Confident Puppy!
It is normal for most puppies and adolescents to go through ‘fear periods’. The second fear period occurs between six and fourteen months of age, and can be much more pronounced. This fear period occurs quite predictably in early puppyhood, an unfortunate coincidence considering that this is the typical age for puppies to be transferred away from their litter to their new home.
Puppies Will Experience Two Different Fear Periods Before Reaching Adulthood.
The picnic table is one example. During this time, it is important to avoid exposing your puppy to traumatic experiences. Newborn puppies are born at the end of nine weeks of pregnancy, with their eyes and ears tightly closed.
The First Fear Period Overlaps With The Socialization Period, Starting At 8 Weeks And Finishing At 11 Weeks.
Their eyes open and they take their first steps. Fear periods in dogs continue past the one year mark for many dogs and puppies as they are still developing and maturing. Overlapping with the socialization period, the two fear periods in puppies are also crucial times in your little one’s development.
The Things That Cause A Fear Are Not Always Rational.
This particular puppy fear stage is believed to be related to the surge in growth that occurs at this age which may cause some physical discomfort. The signs of a fear period can be obvious in some dogs, but more subtle in others. During this time, puppies and young dogs may show skittish behaviors towards familiar stimuli and act as if they’re seeing them for the first time, or they may manifest a reluctance to approach new things (neophobia, fear of new things).
