FEAR PERIODS IN DOGS

So what is a fear period. ?  You will suddenly notice your puppy or older puppy will show signs of being unsure about things.  May back away, may run away, may bite or nip in situations it would not of done before. 

A very good friend of mine showed me a post of a VIZSLA group and all the BAD advice that was given to the owner.  We both felt sick as we know how it will end up.  The older puppy is scared, in its fear period and the trainers advice is absolutely wrong.  If you find yourself in these positions reach out to good trainers.  There are online trainers, and people we can recommend.  Luckily it was not a Silvestre other wise we would have had a heart attack with advice given. 

Dogs are born with immature nervous systems which gradually develops over time.  Sometimes little things you may not of even noticed caused direct fear in your dog. 

During development puppies all go through fear periods and where as years ago we were told oh their is only 2 periods, hmm actually its more likely to be 4. 

First one starts around the. 8 weeks stage, and one good reason the government should be pulled up and told that puppies should leave home at 7 weeks not 8.  But of course as per usual they only take advice from NON Breeders and NON behaviourists.   For some breeds like toys yes they should leave homes around 10-12 weeks.  But the HPR HUNTING breeds should have left home by 7 weeks.  We see more issues across the board by keeping these highly developed breeds for longer.  Some of the top behaviourists in the country will tell you the same information.  This is not just my thoughts.  But we live with these breeds so yes we see little things develop. 

The brain is working out situations, and hormones play a massive role later on. 

Calm and positive early experiences are vital in development.  Do NOT force your puppy into situations with other dogs or puppies.  Do not over stimulate either.  Do things gradually, Do not bombard the tiny developing brain with too much.  Take a step back and introduce one thing every few days. Not all at once.  We give a socialisation sheet, but we do not expect this to be met all in a week.  We look at weeks for slightly new experiences to be met. 

Increasing awareness gradually is key to having a dog which is not over stimulated.  Over stimulated Vizsla and Bracco could mean more mouthing hard, more bad behaviours seen later in the day from over tiredness. 

Between 6-10 months you will hit another fear period. I know some people say its 10 months, but ive seen some as. young as 6 months go through a fear period. These pups are often hormones changing and bitches have an early season.  If I had to give an average of when a season occurs I would say 9 months to 14 months.  Vizsla nearer 14 months, bracco 9 months. But all dogs are not the same as you can get some have seasons at 6 months and some at 2 years.  So it's a big wide scope of its still normal.  This is why fear periods are different for each dog. 

If your dog shows fear, do not FORCE the dog to do something.  Encourage with kindness and rewards.  Do not push them into the fear.  Do not drag them from sofas or from under sofas.  Encourage with temptations.  Do not force situations on them.  Let them have some safety in their hiding up.  A dog which is scared and you frighten it then it will bite you.  Dogs only reaction to no is growl and bite, or bite.  They may not want to do it, but it's their options in life.  If a dog guards the sofa it should not of been given access to it in the first place.  
So to stop any bad behaviours you have to teach training methods when the dog is young.  
Sleeping is in a basket or crate, not on sofas or. your bed.  Call dog away from sleeping area, do not just force dog away from sleeping area.   Then consult a behaviourist for advice. If your dog bites you, then time to get a basket muzzle on even in the house. Then contact your  behaviourist.   Muzzles are there for a good purpose.

We walked along the beach two days ago and I saw a Belgium Mallinois in a muzzle running along the beach, skipping along and jumping having fun. I said to Darryl oh look a responsible owner there allowing their dog to live a life but in safety of all the other dogs around it and people.  Well done them! There is no shame in a dog wearing a muzzle in public.  After all it's our legal responsibility now to have dogs on leads in public.  I bet a lot of you did not even know this.  The law is changing soon where your dog only has to LOOK like it's threatening another animal to be in trouble.  Where as it was £1000 fine it will be unlimited.  So now is the time to get responsible and if you have a puppy it's time to start training your puppy.  Training is key to owning a well behaved dog. 

​R