Stages of puppy growth: Fear Period

The "fear period" in puppies refers to a time in their development when they may be more prone to experiencing fear and anxiety. This period typically occurs around the age of 8 to 16 weeks, and it is a normal part of the puppy's development. During this stage of development, they are extra cautious around new people and places, and it's a normal part of adapting to different environments. Avoid potentially traumatic or overwhelming experiences during this stage, and be sensitive to your doodle’s needs. During this time, puppies may be more sensitive to new experiences and may become fearful of things that they previously weren't afraid of. It is important for puppies to be exposed to a variety of people, places, and experiences during this time in order to help them become well-adjusted and confident adult dogs. However, it is also important to be mindful of the puppy's fear and anxiety and to proceed slowly and gently, providing plenty of positive reinforcement and support.

Dogs who experience stress or trauma at this age can experience larger, related behavioral problems or consequences later in life, so it’s important to be sensitive to training needs during this time. Fear periods are often misunderstood as puppies being defiant or difficult when they’re actually just being uncertain or worried about things in the world around them.

Even confident and well-socialized puppies go through a phase of being concerned about something that might seem silly to us. Just because we know that the vacuum cleaner turning on, a plastic bag blowing in the wind, or a wobble board at training class isn’t something dangerous, your puppy doesn’t have the same understanding of the world. Fear periods are a developmentally normal part of growing up for dogs and something for us to be thoughtful and intentional about preparing for.

If your puppy suddenly develops a fear about someone or something, it can be tempting to try and force your dog to get closer and see that it isn’t scary. But this approach is far more likely to backfire and create a bigger and possibly long-lasting fear. Instead of forcing your puppy to engage in things that scare them, give them the space to explore and choose to engage at their comfort level. Try to turn the scary situation into a positive learning opportunity.

Step-by-step

Step 1: Allow your puppy to move away from whatever they are scared of. No matter how embarrassing the behavior, it is critical that you do not overreact in response to your dog. Control their environment so they don’t feel they have to defend themselves. Keep in mind that this behavior is not a sign that your puppy has turned aggressive.  But rather he is unsure and needs to overcome his fear at his own pace.You must be patient during these periods and keep to a familiar routine.

Step 2: Praise and reward your puppy for looking to you for guidance, and for looking at the object that scared them. Control situations so that you can prevent a fearful response and show your puppy that you enjoy the situation. Use food treats and happy talk to encourage your puppy up to scary objects.  I have found touching the object myself, and then encouraging my puppy to touch it with a happy, nonchalant attitude, is the best approach. Never drag or force interaction with a scary object.

Step 3: Allow your puppy to control how close they get to what scared them and don’t pressure or lure them to get closer. Praise and reward with treats or toys as well as for any positive curiosity or interaction including looking at the object, stepping towards it, sniffing, etc. Do not force your puppy to interact with the feared object or person.  A 6-month-old puppy scared of strangers is not going to be convinced a stranger is friendly by force. That would be like me trying to convince you taxes are good by taking away all your money.A better approach is to allow your puppy to investigate whatever he fears on his own and praise/reward any initiative he or she takes.

Step 4: Keep the training session short and fun. It’s okay if your puppy doesn’t overcome the fear and get completely comfortable with the object that frightened them. End on a positive note with lots of treating/praising. This one is a balancing act during a puppy fear period.  Keep in mind that the most significant opportunity window to solidify a bombproof temperament closes at 16 weeks (4 months). While it is essential to continue socialization through your dog’s life, you want to make the absolute most of this time.  The key is to avoid exposing your puppy to traumatic experiences, but continent to socialize! Veterinarian visits and car visits should be made fun and upbeat. Things like vaccines, cold examination tables, taking rectal temperatures, visiting the groomer, placing the puppy on a scale, nail trim and being handled by strangers, are all experiences that you want to make sure you are doing, but not right in the middle of a fear period if they can be avoided. Empower your puppy, don’t be a hovercraft puppy parent.

Step 5: Try not to make a big deal about the thing your dog is afraid of, but incorporate it into future training sessions. Reward your puppy for looking at you, and any engagement with the thing they are scared of. If possible, engage your puppy with a toy. Let the puppy control the pace and stay at a distance they are comfortable with. Do not punish fear. Punishing fear will only exacerbate it and potentially solidify it.  With a 3-month-old puppy scared of everything, it is best to ignore the fear. Let your doodle puppy build confidence by letting him/her investigate things on their own when he or she is ready and praising him for the effort.

In conclusion:

Fear periods can take everyone by surprise but try not to panic. It can be helpful to keep a list of things your puppy is nervous about and try to incorporate those into future training sessions. You might be surprised to discover that the balloon that terrified your puppy yesterday might not faze them tomorrow. Try to remember this is a normal stage of development and, although it can be tempting to want to quickly show your puppy there’s nothing to be scared of, there are no shortcuts through a fear period. Your puppy is taking in an overwhelming amount of information about the world and is looking to us for reassurance and guidance. It should be our training goal whenever possible to make those experiences safe, fun, and positive.