{"id":9946,"date":"2022-09-09T10:17:59","date_gmt":"2022-09-09T10:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/blog\/uncategorized\/puppy-fear-periods\/"},"modified":"2023-03-30T11:11:03","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T11:11:03","slug":"puppy-fear-periods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/en-us\/blog\/puppy-health\/new-puppy-health\/puppy-fear-periods\/","title":{"rendered":"Puppy Fear Periods: What Are They & How Can I Help?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you remember when nothing fazed you? The fastest rollercoaster, tallest building, scary movies, as a youngster, nothing is scary right? Well, for puppies it\u2019s kind of the same thing too. As they mature they go through what we call puppy fear periods, critical periods or sensitive periods and they\u2019re a normal part of puppy development, from tiny pups to full-grown adult dogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fear is a normal part of being in the world as an animal – it helps with survival. What we want to make sure of,  is that it\u2019s within a typical spectrum, and that our pups are supported through these fear stages so that they learn that the world isn\u2019t a completely terrifying place! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As puppies develop they explore and interact with their environment – fear periods start on average around 7 weeks of age and this first one lasts for just a couple of weeks. In some breeds, they can start a bit earlier or start and go on a bit later. Puppies have several fear periods before they become an adult, each with its own challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019re going to be helping you understand what puppy fear periods are, how to tell if your pup is in a puppy fear stage, and what you can do to help and support them through these \u2018scaredy-cat\u2019 stages of their development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information on supporting your puppy through all of their emotional highs and lows, how and why these developmental periods matter to them, and how to teach them to be well-rounded, confident members of dog society, download a trial of the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a>. We\u2019ll take you and your puppy on a journey, share all the good times, and help you through the not so good times with our team of expert puppy coaches<\/a>. They\u2019re available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day on the phone, on WhatsApp or email to talk you through it all. If we could cuddle you, we would. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Jametlene Reskp<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are Puppy Fear Periods?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the table below, we\u2019ve laid out puppy fear periods and what approximate age puppies are when they go through these puppy fear stages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name<\/strong><\/td>Puppy Age*<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Hazard Avoidance\/Initial Fear Stage<\/td>7-11 weeks <\/td><\/tr>
Adolescent fear stage<\/td>12 weeks – 6 months<\/td><\/tr>
Flight instinct period<\/td>6-9 (up to 14 months)<\/td><\/tr>
Adult fear period<\/td>12 -18 months<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*It’s important to note that some puppies will go through their puppy fear stages a little earlier, and some will go through them later, so we\u2019ve put an average in for the age. If you own a German Shepherd, you should know that the initial fear stage starts around 5 weeks, not 7 and that Cavalier King Charles start their hazard avoidance a bit later, around 8 weeks old. For more of the science, check out <\/em>emotions-r-us<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In larger breeds, their emotional development is often slower, so their later stage fear periods may extend longer than toy breeds, who are maturing faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I know if my puppy is in a fear stage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your puppy’s behavior<\/a> and response to stimuli (that’s a fancy way of saying \u2018things\u2019) will often tell you if they’re in a puppy fear stage.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs that your puppy might be in a fear period or sensitive period:<\/p>\n\n\n\n