An Emotionally Sound Dog Begins with an 8-week Old Puppy

 Nature vs. Nuture

Research says dog temperament and personality traits are a result of BOTH nature and nurture. The combination of a dog’s genetic makeup coupled with what he experiences as a puppy will determine a dog’s personality.

There are 3 key things to know about when you bring an 8-week old puppy home:

When and what is a socialization period?

 All puppies go through their first socialization period (also called the critical socialization period) from 7-16 weeks. At this time a puppy’s brain is uniquely prepared to benefit from exposure to lots of varied, positive experiences. 

During this time we have the ability to dramatically influence future adult dog behavior.

Puppy experiences should be fun and include food treats when learning basic canine manners, going for short car rides, exploring in the woods, meeting the neighbors, or people-watching in a park. 

Puppy kindergarten is a great opportunity for both the owners and the puppy. Playing with other puppies helps them understand how to behave around other dogs and helps get some extra energy out! 

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior addresses the concern over the vaccination status of a puppy stating that “ it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated to decrease the risk of behavioral problems later.”

The critical socialization period is important but continued socializing and training throughout early, mid and late adolescence (up to 18 months old) will be the best way to help a puppy reach his potential.

What and when are the Fear Periods?

Puppies go through their first fear period from 8-10 weeks. A fear period is a stage during the development of a puppy when he may be more apt to perceive certain situations as threatening.

It is important to avoid exposing a puppy to traumatic experiences. A single scary event may be enough to traumatize the puppy and have life-long effects on his future behaviors.

The second fear period is more variable, arriving several months later beginning any time between 6 and 14 months. During this period, you might notice that all of a sudden your teenage puppy is afraid of things he was previously fine with.

Avoid overwhelming situations during this time and rest assured this fear period will pass within a couple of weeks. Do continue to practice canine manners but don’t overwhelm him by introducing new or challenging skills. Making sure his canine manners stay intact will be challenging enough!

The good news is, that when handled well, fear periods can come and go without any issue and can sometimes even go unnoticed.

What can you do when your puppy is unsure or nervous?

Being able to tell how your puppy is feeling and responding appropriately can de-escalate his uncertainty, help him recoup faster and also encourage resilience. 

Dogs can read our body language very well, so we mustn’t inadvertently add to their fear by getting anxious with them. 

Recognizing the level of fear they are experiencing will determine what we can do to help them recover without any emotional trauma.  

Pay attention to The Big 5: tail, eyes, ears, mouth, and body position while you observe them. Know what these parts look like when your puppy is playing, relaxed and happy so you will be able to do a quick scan to assess how he’s feeling in a new situation.

You can also watch my 5-minute video that demonstrates two calming positions to help a puppy or an adult dog. These techniques can be used at any time in a dog’s life.

The combination of a dog’s genetic makeup coupled with what he experiences as a puppy will determine a dog’s personality. It’s important to expose a puppy to many positive experiences beginning at 8 weeks old, learn how to read their body language and respond appropriately to their feelings.

These are the most beneficial things we can do to foster a dog’s happiness for its entire life.