Joyfully Golden

09/09/2024

CALLIOPE says Good Morning! Happy Monday!

09/04/2024

Always be mindful of not being fully vaccinated yet though. Keeping them safe too.

🐾Understanding a puppy’s developmental stages is important to providing the right training, support, exposure, and socialisation at each phase. These stages have a profound effect on shaping a pup's long-term behaviour, especially when it comes to handling stress, fear, and new experiences. The key to having a ‘well-rounded’ adult dog is to recognise and understand the fear periods puppies go through, and how these can impact their overall development and emotional well-being.

Neonatal Period (0–2 Weeks)

During the neonatal stage, puppies are entirely dependent on their mother. Their eyes and ears are closed, and they spend most of their time sleeping and nursing. At this age, there’s very little environmental interaction or learning beyond the comfort and safety of their litter[1].

Transitional Period (+- 2–3 Weeks)

In this short but crucial phase, puppies start to develop their senses. Their eyes and ears open, and they begin to explore their immediate surroundings. This is when their motor skills develop, and they become more active. While fear isn’t yet a significant factor at this stage, early positive and gentle handling can set the groundwork for future interactions and socialisation[1].

Socialisation Period (+- 3 -16 Weeks)

The socialisation period is one of the most critical phases in a puppy’s life. During this time, they are highly receptive to forming social bonds and learning about their environment. Positive exposure to various people, animals, sounds, and experiences is extremely important to shaping a well-rounded adult dog. Socialisation during this period has a lasting impact on their behaviour, making it a key time for introducing puppies to the world in a controlled, and positive way[1].

Fear Periods in the Socialisation Stage:

Around the 8–12 week mark, puppies experience their first significant fear period. This is when they become particularly sensitive to new experiences and can easily form fear-based responses. During this window, it’s important to ensure that any exposure to new environments or stimuli is positive and non-threatening. Negative experiences at this stage can lead to long-term fear or aggression issues. This sensitivity is linked to the puppy’s rapidly developing nervous system, which makes them more reactive to stimuli[1].

Juvenile Period (+- 3–6 Months)

The juvenile period which is also known as the ‘terrible teens’ is influenced by increased independence. Puppies become more curious and eager to explore their surroundings. Their motor skills are more refined, and they start to solidify the behaviours and social cues they’ve been learning. However, they are still developing emotionally and mentally, so ongoing socialisation and positive reinforcement are incredibly important[2].

At this stage, some puppies may experience a second fear period, usually around the 4–6-month mark. This is typically a shorter phase but can still lead to heightened sensitivity and reactivity, particularly to unfamiliar people, animals, or environments. Like the earlier fear period, it’s important to carefully manage their experiences during this time to prevent the formation of long-term fear-based responses[2].

Adolescence (+- 6–18 Months)

Adolescence can be the most challenging stage for both puppies and their owners. As their bodies and minds continue to develop, many adolescent pup’s become more independent, test boundaries in the sense of figuring out what behaviours work or don’t and may even seem to “forget” cue’s you may have taught them. It’s so important to remember and understand that the environment plays a HUGE part in their behaviour.

During this period, various areas of the brain mature at different rates. This phase is associated with increased levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can influence a dog's emotional responses and sensitivity to stimuli. The amygdala, a region in the brain linked to processing emotions, becomes more reactive, contributing to heightened fear responses. Additionally, changes in neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin, impact mood regulation and influence how the dog perceives and copes with stressors. These neurochemical fluctuations shape the dog's behaviour and emotional responses during this critical developmental period [4].

The two last fear stages are around 6–13 months, and around 14-18 months, where adolescent pups might suddenly become cautious or reactive towards things they were previously comfortable with. This stage can coincide with hormonal changes, and careful environmental management is needed to set the dog up for success, not put them in a position where they may ‘fail’, and to reinforce positive experiences as well as avoid letting fearful responses become habitual. It’s a good time to revisit training, focus on building confidence, and continue appropriate exposure and socialisation.

🧠The Role of Fear Periods in the Fight-or-Flight Response

This is the most important thing to understand when it comes to fear periods!!!! Instincts are involuntary and are a natural part of puppy development, designed to help them become more aware of potential threats to defend and protect themselves. These periods are characterised by the fight-or-flight response, which is triggered by specific chemicals, mainly adrenaline and cortisol [3].

Adrenaline is responsible for the immediate fight-or-flight response, making animals more reactive and alert to perceived threats. Whether they choose to flee or defend themselves depends on their temperament, past experiences, and how they are managed during these fear periods.

Cortisol, the stress hormone, plays a key role in managing longer-term stress. Repeated exposure to stressful situations without proper appropriate management can result in chronic anxiety and reactivity in the dog[4].

💪How to Support Your Puppy Through Fear Periods??

Fear periods can be daunting for both puppies and their owners, but with the right support with a force-free positive reinforcement trainer, puppies can navigate these stages and become more confident and resilient with emotional maturity and time.
To end off my very long post here are a few tips to help manage fear periods…

Reward behaviours you like when you see your puppy doing them. This includes calm behaviour and DO NOT punish fearful responses, which could make the situation worse. Puppies do not misbehave the way humans interpret it! Their behaviours are usually natural responses to their environment, and what we might label as “misbehaviour” is often just a result of unmet needs, confusion, or stress.

Introduce new experiences gradually, ensuring that your puppy doesn’t become overwhelmed. Make new interactions positive and manageable.

Remember that fear periods are temporary. Remain calm, and don’t force your puppy into situations they find intimidating.
I hope this helps you understand fear periods and your puppy or adult dog better. Please reach out to your nearest force-free, science-based trainer in your area if you need help.💜

[1] Scott, J.P. and Fuller, J.L. (1965) Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[2] Serpell, J. (2017) ‘The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior, and Interactions with People’, in Serpell, J. (ed.) The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions with People. 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 21-47.

[3] Overall, K.L. (2013) Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. St. Louis: Elsevier Health Sciences.

[4] Freedman, D.G., King, J.A. and Elliot, O. (1961) ‘Critical Period in the Social Development of Dogs’, Science, 133(3457), pp. 1016-1017.

09/04/2024

LOCAL PDX area folks. Henry is looking g for a guardian home. He’s passed all health testing and will soon be one of our daddy dogs here at Joyfully Golden. If you are wanting a golden past the puppy stage he might be a good fit for you! DM me for more details

08/27/2024

POTATO and KODIAK say, “Good
Morning!”

08/27/2024

Happy National Dog Day! Henry and Kodiak are both looking for guardian homes. At Joyfully Golden we use guardian homes to provide quality dogs to families, at no cost out of pocket. This dog will remain in our breeding program provided they pass health testing required and even that are retired, they will stay with their guardian home as a loving pet. To find out more information, please DM.

08/25/2024

Kodiak showing his tough guy side!

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08/18/2024

POTATO and HENRY posed nicely for a photo!!

08/17/2024

KODIAK and SMOKEY last evening cuddles

08/08/2024

New puppy? Teach them to use toys correctly

Learn more about using dog toys with the LINKS and RESOURCES below!—————CHEW TOYS—————Some of the links below are affiliate links. These won't cost you anyth...

08/06/2024

Bob (Panda) hanging out with his new sibling!

08/05/2024

Portland/Seattle area. This mini-poodle mix about 2 is looking for a home. He is being fostered at the day care we use. His mom ended up moving from assisted living to memory care and cannot have him. Our doggy daycare is trying to find him a new home. DM if interested and I’ll get you in touch with the daycare. He now has had a fresh groom. ❤️I can see if I can get more photos

08/01/2024

Auntie Remy is the best pillow! Grizzly, Kodiak and Smokey.

07/29/2024

Happy 1st Birthday Henry! He is actively looking for a guardian home! He is about to finish board and train here soon. If you live close to PDX, Please DM for more information about becoming a guardian home to this wonderful fellow. Thanks for taking such good care of him, especially on his birthday!

07/28/2024

Smokey and Kodiak with Aunt Remy!

07/23/2024

We are excited to announce Fonzie, now Oliver has found a forever home!!! He will be living his best life with his sister Josi(Jeannie)! These two hadn’t seen each other since puppies and immediately bonded again! Congrats to Josi’s family on their new family member!!

07/20/2024

PUPPY PICK TOMORROW! WHO is gonna be picked!!

07/16/2024

07/15/2024

Sometimes you just need to snuggle and feel safe. Sweet Kodiak with Remy and Little.

07/14/2024

Sweet Paddington snuggling with Aunt Remy. Holding hands. ❤️

07/06/2024

Pups are ready for bed on this hot evening here in PNW.

07/03/2024

Birth Order❤️

06/28/2024

Panda (right) Berenstain ( left) Yogi (back)

06/24/2024

CHLOIE/SCOUT puppies are getting so big!

06/22/2024

FONZIE just finished two weeks of board and train. He is now ready to be placed into a guardian home. If you or anyone you know is interested DM me. He’s a complete lover. Still puppy like. He will make a great addition to any active home that has someone around often.

06/22/2024

Sleepy Saturday with Yogi and Paddington

06/20/2024

KODIAK is snuggling a panda. ❤️