as blenders, vacuums, and slamming doors. Sound effect CDs can be used to introduce other new sounds, such as thunder and the cacophony of a busy city street. (See chapter 7 for more on socialization.)
Breeders normally begin training their puppies to be handled and groomed during these weeks because they easily accept new things at this age. A puppy should be introduced to important aspects of her lifestyle by eight weeks because she is mentally programmed to accept unusual and potentially startling events such as noisy vacuum cleaners, slamming screen doors, and talking parrots. If she is born and raised in a home, this happens as a matter of routine. If a kennel-raised puppy is introduced to these things at a later age, it is more challenging for her to absorb them.
Eight to Twelve Weeks
(Fear Imprinting Period)
At this time, a puppy usually receives her first vaccination, which may be a single or combination vaccination, depending on what your breeder or veterinarian has recommended. Exposure to other dogs and areas frequented by dogs should be minimized until your puppy has had two vaccinations. By eight weeks, the puppy will have little or no natural immunity that was conferred by her dam at birth. Until she develops immunity from vaccinations, she remains susceptible to many communicable canine diseases. This is also when many puppies go to their new homes, and the primary social attachment is transferred from dogs to humans. The puppy will need daily social contact and lots of positive reinforcement with praise and petting in response to desirable behavior.
And you will need to maintain an upbeat attitude to reassure the puppy during potentially frightening new experiences and to ensure that she makes a smooth adjustment.
Eight- to twelve-week-old shepherd mix pups pile on top of each other for comfort and warmth.
Twelve to Sixteen Weeks
(Independence Period)
The puppy normally receives her second and third vaccinations at approximately twelve and sixteen weeks, respectively. Once inoculated, she can be introduced to new people and places. Daily socialization and short training sessions will counteract fear and instill confidence and good manners. (See chapter 7 for more on socialization.)
By fourteen weeks, the spontaneous desire to socialize and investigate begins to wane, and a puppy becomes wary of unfamiliar people and places. Continually introducing her to new experiences becomes increasingly important. The lessons of socialization must be consistently reinforced until a puppy reaches adulthood—and beyond.
Fear Imprinting
THE PERIOD FROM EIGHT TO TWELVE WEEKS IS SOMETIMES referred to as the fear imprinting period because a puppy becomes more sensitive to her surroundings. As puppies investigate their new surroundings, they learn that some things should be feared. This can be something straightforward, such as physical pain, harsh correction, or bullying by other pets. Or, it can result from an irrational reaction to something unusual. A sound-sensitive puppy can become overly fearful in response to a car backfiring, fire crackers popping, or a noisy parade traipsing down Main Street. A touch-sensitive puppy can have difficulty recovering if someone accidentally steps on her foot or tail. Although fear imprinting is a temporary phase, try to minimize stress during these weeks. A few bad experiences can set a pattern that may be difficult to overcome and permanently affect a puppy’s personality.
Here is a chronological breakdown of the stages related to fear imprinting:
• Three to four weeks: puppies won’t hesitate to approach anything interesting and don’t generally learn from their “mistakes.”
• Five weeks: puppies begin to develop a sense of fear, based on memory and experience, and become more cautious.
• Seven weeks: puppies have good memories, and fear responses can form quickly.
• Nine weeks: fear imprinting usually peaks.
• Ten weeks: unwarranted fear reactions usually level off as the puppies’ understanding of their environment becomes more reliable.
Four to Six Months
(Preadolescent Period)
At four months, a puppy’s permanent teeth begin to grow in, replacing her primary ones. Unlike the earlier teething phase, this one can be associated with behavior problems. A puppy may become temperamental due to the discomfort, but fortunately her moodiness will be short lived.
Social pressures will become a larger issue for the puppy as adolescence approaches. Puppies become more conscious of their positions in the household pack, attempting either to fit in or to improve their status. Adult dogs have the least tolerance for puppies of this age; what used to be a soft nip at the ear from a tiny pup becomes a rather painful bite from a puppy who has grown to almost adult size. Both humans and other dogs in the household start expecting a puppy to behave properly, like the rest of the pack. Ideally, the puppy will possess the essential social skills and stress tolerance to cope with these demands.
The Teenage Puppy
(Six Months to Two Years: Adolescence)
Adolescence presents a multitude of challenges—not only for the puppy but also for the puppy owner. Owners generally expect puppies at this age to exhibit reliable house-training and adult demeanor. However, the fact that your adolescent puppy looks more like an adult dog does not automatically mean she is capable of thinking or behaving like one. In fact, her physical, emotional, and mental resources may take a nosedive.
During adolescence, even well-socialized puppies can experience some insecurity and instability. For example, some puppies may become suspicious of strangers or act uncharacteristically submissive in response to stress or reprimand. Some will become markedly more aggressive. Although training and reinforcement of desired behavior will not guarantee that adolescent behavior problems won’t arise, your efforts will certainly help to minimize such problems. At six months of age, puppies become eligible to compete in formal dog shows and performance events, which bring structured training routines and competitive aspirations.
Like their human counterparts, adolescent dogs, such as this shepherd, may exhibit behavioral problems. They may become insecure and more submissive—or more aggressive.
A litter of border collies hobnob with a lamb, who may be a future charge. Affectionate and protective, these herding dogs can be a good choice for families.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF REASONS TO WANT A PUPPY. The trick is to make sure your reasons are the right ones. It’s easy to imagine how a puppy can enhance your life—as a devoted friend, a watchdog, a playmate, an exercise buddy. But owning a puppy is a two-way street. A puppy will create major changes in your lifestyle—more
