Guest hankodie Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 So I'm just wondering when you can tell if a puppy is/has entered the fear period and what needs to be done during this time. I've read lots of information (like in this post for example) that states that the fear period usually occurs between 12-16 weeks (though other information I've read has stipulated it's between 8-11 weeks etc). I know that it's probably different for every dog but how can you tell if your puppy is experiencing this? My puppy Hank seems as confident as ever but according to what I read he should be approaching this period in his life. Also, I've read some articles that state that you should keep the puppy at home during this time and to not expose it to any new experiences or busy crowds during this period, is this true or is this overkill? I would very much like to continue giving my puppy positive social experiences as he grows but I want to make sure I don't mistakenly do any damage in the process of doing so. I'm trying to be extra careful with his socialisation and I'm probably over thinking this but I would love input from other people on how they are handling this with their puppies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 So I'm just wondering when you can tell if a puppy is/has entered the fear period and what needs to be done during this time. I've read lots of information (like in this post for example) that states that the fear period usually occurs between 12-16 weeks (though other information I've read has stipulated it's between 8-11 weeks etc). I know that it's probably different for every dog but how can you tell if your puppy is experiencing this? My puppy Hank seems as confident as ever but according to what I read he should be approaching this period in his life. Also, I've read some articles that state that you should keep the puppy at home during this time and to not expose it to any new experiences or busy crowds during this period, is this true or is this overkill? I would very much like to continue giving my puppy positive social experiences as he grows but I want to make sure I don't mistakenly do any damage in the process of doing so. I'm trying to be extra careful with his socialisation and I'm probably over thinking this but I would love input from other people on how they are handling this with their puppies! Yep, you are. Keep the positive socialisation experiences coming. And note (but don't freak out about) the fact that there is a second fear period later on in puppyhood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 (edited) This is a good article that may help: http://www.positived...oesnt_mean.html A pup can go through multiple fear periods. But every pup is different and some may breeze through without ever having an issue while some may display mild reactions and some more severe. Things to watch out for are if your pup suddenly reacts differently to normal to certian objects, people or situations. Things to watch for include your pup acting in a way that is somewhat out of character (if your pup is normally fairly confident) by being anxious, shy, timid, wary, not want to go near something or someone, barking or growling at something while backing away etc. This is a good simple chart for recognising basic fearful type behaviour: http://info.drsophia...nguage-in-dogs/ Edited September 4, 2013 by espinay2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Thanks Hw and Espinay. So if I've exposed Hank to crowds a few times (keeping it short and sweet, rewarding him for being calm and looking to me) that I can continue to do so during this fear period? Some friends have invited us to stay at their place in a couple of weeks and welcomed us to bring Hank, we were all planning on going to the markets but I was just wondering if this would be too much stimulus for him during this time in puppy hood. Sorry I know, I am one of those annoying dog owners that over analyses everything but I want to do right by him and everyone on this forum is so knowledgeable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaCC Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Hank I kept taking Nova out, but I watched him like a hawk for the slightest hint of him getting a bit fearful. I don't think he had one I was extra careful though, I did not take him anywhere he would meet a dog I didn't know, and I did cut back on big crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Note that a fear period doesnt happen like clockwork. the timings are averages and approximates and can happen at different times. If he is not experiencing an actual fear period at the moment (i.e. if you haven't seen fear type behaviours) then certainly keep taking him out. The main thing is to manage his experiences to make them as good as possible. that means that as his leader you need to be aware of where you are and what you are doing with him and what types of situations you are putting him in, and be outspoken and proactive about who and what interacts with him. Never feel afraid to say that is enough or no when it comes to his interactions with other dogs and people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Thanks Espinay and Lisa for your replies :) Espinay that's exactly what I am trying to do with Hank's socialisation (which I failed to do the first time around with our older dog and it's resulted in a few issues). I think I might skip the markets in a couple of weeks or at the very least keep it short and sweet. I want to keep encouraging his confidence and positive experiences when out and about, he's just such a happy pup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 And it's not always a generalised fear response either. When my Dally was 6-9 months old he developed an inexplicable fear of Great Danes! He'd had nothing but neutral or positive experiences with them in a show handling class and his best mate in class was a 96kg entire male Mastiff. I gave him some space away from the GDs, didn't make a fuss but did reward exploratory and appropriate behaviour - after several weeks he couldn't give a toss, just like before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Hankodie, I know you are probably a little extra concerned because you are wanting to avoid Hank developing the reactivity that you are going through with Odie. I don't know if You've got Grisha Stewarts BAT book or video yet, but it does have a bit on how you can raise a puppy to avoid reactivity. It might be something good for you to look at :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Yes sometimes their fear may be directed at odd things. I had one that at 10 months developed a fear of storm water drains in the road kerb! In that case I ignored the drains to show it didn't concern me, ignored her behaviour and just kept walking past them as normal (though gave her lead space to take a wide berth if she wished). I did not 'force' her to look at it or approach it or 'try to show her it is ok' (as that could have just proved to her it was something to be afrsid of). She was back to normal in about 2 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Hankodie, I know you are probably a little extra concerned because you are wanting to avoid Hank developing the reactivity that you are going through with Odie. I don't know if You've got Grisha Stewarts BAT book or video yet, but it does have a bit on how you can raise a puppy to avoid reactivity. It might be something good for you to look at :) Spot on raineth :laugh: my trainer says that their personalities are wildly different so I shouldn't worry too much, I guess I don't want to end up making the same mistakes during this critical time! I'm about 3/4 through BAT by Grisha Stewarts, that chapter is at the end so I'll have a read through it at the end of the day, thank you :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Funny little things aren't they espinay! An umbrella in the corner of the lounge room fell down when Zig was being a silly playful puppy. Scared the daylights out of him - he didn't develop a problem with umbrellas but always avoided that corner of the room. When we moved house he left the scary impression behind and never looked back. He is just about bomb proof now - and I don't say that lightly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lollipup Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Hi Hankodie, These videos explain it well I think Part 1 - http://www.youtube.c...h?v=hOuwZcqnwcs Part 2 - http://www.youtube.c...h?v=3kjywxm-O6I Part 3 - http://www.youtube.c...h?v=QjWBnJ69FDM I believe Envy just had a fear period at around the 12 week mark. she seemed more sensitive to things that she was fine with a few days before. I just kept going like normal making positive experiences and avoiding anything too scary and she continued on as normal within a week or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Thanks Lollipup, those videos were very informative. So, just after writing my last reply I took Hank up and down our street for some training, we were in our driveway and a neighbour passed by with a dog on a lead and he barked at it!! I am freaking out. I was feeding him treats when it happened (rewarding him for sitting calmly) when he saw the dog he barked and wouldn't take the treat (I shoved it in his mouth and he stopped after a couple of barks) I've made sure he's had appropriate interactions with dogs and we've taken him places that have lots of dogs, rewarding him each time for being calm and watching me. Not sure what to do? he starts obedience next week so there will be lots of dogs there but I don't want him barking at them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Relax :) If he's too stressed to eat he's too stressed to learn. Stay calm, allow him to move away from the scary thing and then play with him or ask him to perform a simple behaviour and reward. Next time step off to the side and reward appropriate behaviour - as he realises there is nothing to be frightened of you won't have to take such a wide berth. Fear is a normal, protective behaviour particularly in young animals. Fearless babies don't last long!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 TSD's post- i completely agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Relax :) If he's too stressed to eat he's too stressed to learn. Stay calm, allow him to move away from the scary thing and then play with him or ask him to perform a simple behaviour and reward. Next time step off to the side and reward appropriate behaviour - as he realises there is nothing to be frightened of you won't have to take such a wide berth. Fear is a normal, protective behaviour particularly in young animals. Fearless babies don't last long!!! Thank you, apologies for the mini freak out! I think in these situations I tend to forget everything I learned, owning a reactive dog has definitely changed me which is why I over analyse everything with Hank I spoke to my lovely trainer who reckons Hank's reaction was a result of being caught off guard (the dog did seem to come out of nowhere), and like you mentioned it's very normal especially at this age. Safe to say it was definitely a different behaviour than what I've seen so I'll be extra careful around other dogs (unfortunately the area where I live is teeming with irresponsible owners ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lollipup Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Don't freak out! How old is Hank now? (sorry if I missed it) Envy started barking at the odd dog or person recently but just because she is getting older and more confident. Just keep asking for behaviours you can reward. Practice your focus and obedience and act like the other dog is no big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Just remember they can take their direction from you so stay calm and don't freak out if you can. The BAT Stuff is good. Remember to move him calmly away and refocus. Passing dogs are not a big deal do show him that ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesluvscavs Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 (edited) I had read about this fear phase puppies/young dogs can go through and I was dreading going through it with my puppy (ive never owned a dog from a puppy stage before) and i'm yet to still experience with it with Miah. She will be a 1 year this Nov. If anything shes too confident for her own good sometimes. Maybe it will still happen, but so far nothing seems to faze her, We go out with her, she meets many dogs out and about all sizes, breeds and luckily so far hasn't had any negative experiences with them or anything for that matter. I have heard that some Cavaliers can be a bit skitish, but shes certainly not one of them. We even have a steam train around here (cockle train) and its very noisy, and even the first time we walked close by it, she didn't even react to it . She is always excited to go up to anyone, I did make sure i got her out and about as her as she had been vaccinated. Edited September 5, 2013 by Jules❤3Cavs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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