I'd break all of her meals up into portions, 6-10, and randomly give them to her outside. We walked away without incident. There are various reasons your puppy may be afraid of other dogs, and inadequate socialisation is one of the easiest to manage. « Feeding Giant Breed Puppies for Dummies – The Protein Myth & More, Probiotics for Dogs: The Facts and Strains that Matter Most ». They come and go like the wind when handled properly, but can have a lasting effect when they aren’t. Read the following posts for essential tips on raising and training your puppy the right way: No matter how embarrassing the behavior, it is critical that you do not overreact in response to your dog. 4 month old Wary or strangers and baking at other dogs Discussion in 'Labrador Puppies' started by Benji, Aug 6, 2019. So, for example, if a broom falls over and almost hits a puppy, this can lead to an adult dog that’s afraid of anything that looks like a stick. These periods of development are referred to as puppy fear periods or the puppy fear stage as others call it. No. Never drag or force interaction with a scary object. I rescued a 10 week old pit bull/great dane mix about 6 months ago. of the dog’s eventual temperament is developed. Use force-free behavior modification such as. Mastiff Puppy 101: Wild Puppy to Gentle Giant, Guaranteed! Coincidently, this fear period in puppies coincides with the time when they are commonly separated from their dam and littermates and are sent to new homes. Later that night, I got the vacuum cleaner out and, while I finished up other tasks, left it sitting in the hall. While some of these fear periods go unnoticed by dog owners, in other cases owners are left scratching their head, or worse, responding. During development, a dog becomes socialized with familiar people, animals, objects and situations. Control situations so that you can prevent a fearful response and show your puppy that you enjoy the situation. Your email address will not be published. Everything about the experience of traveling to a new home can cause fear in a puppy, so avoiding those things during this fear stage is important. Junior stiffened as soon as he saw them, hair along his back on end, and, to my shock and horror, let out an imperceptible growl under his breath. (26 Posts) Add message | Report MooPointCowsOpinion Sun 24-Nov-19 18:22:53 I’ve never owned a dog, neither has my husband. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. During certain fear periods, the reactivity level of puppies rise causing him to act defensively, become protective and more territorial. Puppies are now autonomous but are still learning about the world around them. I actually deleted my previous account I posted on here with because I thought I was done with needing the subreddit, but then decided to come back to share this news because OMG - did I ever have a tough time with my little shih tzu biting. Let the Games Begin Socialization Tips for Your 4 Month Old Puppy After your 4-month-old pup has received all shots he is ready to meet his friends at the park, daycare, and puppy training classes. A few days in and he has started to fear other dogs and is aggressively growling, snarling, and barking. This was a very interesting read thank you! No worries.”. You walk down the same street every day for months and one day, out of the blue, he becomes hysterical at the sight of a fire hydrant that has always been there. Knew no foe. If you don’t plan to breed you… That's because toddlers are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about the world and its potential dangers. We walk him, we take him to dog parks. If I stroke him during it he tries to bite me… but outside of this he is very affectionate and never aggressive. Even if they’ve had exposure to Veterinarian visits and car visits should be made fun and upbeat. While it is essential to continue socialization through your dog’s life, you want to make the absolute most of this time. Is there a way to fix it? Wake up, feed kids, feed dogs, attempt to make myself presentable. But, remember, good things come to those who are patient. Puppies begin to receive their personalities. Sorry, this post was deleted by the person who originally posted it. He's great with us, however he seems to have a huge fear of strangers. After an hour of playtime, your puppy may be barking or biting at you because she is overtired. He was a “man-dog” with a mission. If the puppy wants to initate contact, that's why. Subscribe to get all the latest updates and news from Big Dog Mom™ right in your inbox! There always are. This period of development is so important to the development of social skills and to the dog’s understanding of the world around him. Consider what Dr. Jen states in The Dark Side of Socialization: Fear Periods and Single Event Learning, “The dangerous part is this: during this particular developmental stage, your dog’s brain is on a hair trigger, exquisitely sensitive to anything “bad” that may happen. This fear period tends to happen between twelve to fourteen months of age. However, the vast majority of men do not go around randomly scaring dogs. with fake vaccines (a pen), mock examinations, and known people pretending to be friendly strangers. These are normal growth behaviors in young dogs as they mature.”. Somewhere sort of quiet but still outside and not enclosed. See How the Puppy Reacts The pup's response to fear depends on the circumstances and how confident (or not) the pup may be. Use food treats and happy talk to encourage your puppy up to scary objects. Whether it’s a 3-month-old puppy suddenly scared of everything or an otherwise outgoing 6-month-old puppy scared of strangers whom they have decided are a threat that must be protected against. And for those of you dying to know how the Dyson faired… well, it survived too. Do not overdose your puppy with scary loud noises and exposures during his fear periods. Had the landscapers ignored us, perhaps we could have just walked on past without incident. I just felt like I needed to celebrate this, so I made another account. The consequences of removing puppies from their littermates and mothers even earlier than 8 weeks are both far-reaching and impactful. Protection breeds (Shepherds, Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers) and herding breeds (collies, cattle dogs) will need increased positive socialization during adolescence. There is NO ADDED COST to you should you use these links. A week later, we came across the same men, same neighbor, same corner. plugged in at home when you bring your puppy home for the first time. And can be directed toward novel (new) stimuli or stimuli met before with no reaction. However, as the puppy ages and enters later stages of development, reactivity levels rise causing them to act defensively, become protective and more territorial. Use treats liberally for this fun exercise. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Mostly men but pretty much all people. A shy or timid dog is more likely to produce skittish offspring. They may crouch, shake and try to run away, submissively urinate or, tell the scary thing/person to go away by showing an aggressive display, which may include snarling, lunging, or other unruly behavior. In addition, some breeds of dog may be more likely to be more timid. During these stages, puppies may show fear of items, situations, or people with whom they formerly felt safe. Is your dog or puppy shy and leery of people; afraid of strangers, certain situations or objects? It represents the time when a dog’s potential as a companion animal is either fostered and nurtured or impeded and even destroyed. Hair still on end. Recently our shepherd puppy just hit the 4 month old mark, so now we've decided to walk him around the lake rather than the neighborhood, problem is we noticed he's starting to lunge and growl at people. For now, please consider waiting to bring your new puppy home until he is 10 – 12 weeks old. Stay tuned to Big Dog Mom™ for more on puppy development prior to 8 weeks. Is it due to lack of socialization, tempermeant or an event that triggered this fear. During certain fear periods, the reactivity level of puppies rises causing him to act defensively, become protective and more territorial. Here are some early development and training tips for your 4-6 month old puppy. When he suddenly notices the neighbor across the street getting out of his car, or the landscaper in the distance with a leaf blower, and sounds the increasingly high pitched alarm. For example, why is he afraid of strangers. Your pup may become unable to enter his own backyard because there’s a wheelbarrow parked in the corner that wasn’t there before. There was no tail wag or wiggling puppy butt. FREE Resources | VALUABLE Information | ALL Things BIG DOG. Some posts on Big Dog Mom™ may contain affiliate links from which I may receive a small compensation. Let your dog build confidence by letting him investigate things on his own when he is ready and praising him for the effort. Whether it’s a 3-month-old puppy suddenly scared of everything or an otherwise outgoing 6-month-old puppy scared of strangers whom they have decided are a threat that must be protected against. Simply t. urning on this momentary foe is now an invitation to follow me around the house and lay in my path. But even the chi-attack was brushed off as a minor insult. For a 4-month-old puppy, frequent naps are needed. Even if you do everything right, there's still going to be surprises. I know how excited you are. Specifically, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The person needs to stand still and not make eye contact. A 6-month-old puppy scared of strangers is not going to be convinced a stranger is friendly by force. But of course, the men were enamored with Junior and couldn’t help but talk to me as we tried to pass…. Never force your puppy to interact with the feared object or person. Things like vacuuming can still be accomplished, but just do it one room at a time while your pup is 8 to 10 weeks old. Hi I have a 4-month-old collie who has always been quite nervous about people trying to touch him on a walk but has suddenly started barking at random people on walks. Your email address will not be published. By 5 months old, a male puppy can produce sperm; by 6 months, a female is able to have her first litter. This is often considered the 5-month-old puppy fear stage. The behavior that gets practiced, and is discovered to be effective, gets reinforced. Noticeable changes in puppy behavior can occur as early as 12 weeks when an owner will lament that their 3-month-old puppy is suddenly scared of everything. Let’s make an impact together, creating one bomb-proof big dog at a time. PTSD of a human aggressive Mastiff surrounded by foes. By the time a puppy is 10 – 12 weeks old, he will have been accustomed to feeding and grooming himself. I have found touching the object myself, and then encouraging my puppy to touch it with a happy, nonchalant attitude, is the best approach. She has decades of experience as a big dog owner, over 30 years of which has been devoted to health, nutrition, and behavior of large and giant breed dogs. Like with Junior, these new fears seem to pop up out of nowhere. Learning about his world as though it was his first day in it. During these stages, puppies may show fear of items, situations, or people with whom they formerly felt safe. My German shepherd puppy is afraid of strangers. Puppy fear periods are funny things. If you are getting a puppy, be sure to ask about their socialization with … fun! He was at times, in fact, too friendly for his own good. Sexual hormones surge now, too, which can cause mood changes and as a result, fearfulness. There may have been a past traumatic experience that is causing your dog to be afraid of other dogs.Dogs that are naturally submissive may also be fearful when encountering a more dominant dog. Owners may suddenly and out of nowhere notice their 6-month-old puppy scared of strangers or a 6-month-old puppy “scared of everything” as they scramble to figure out why. At that moment, with PTSD activated from my heartbreaking days with Linus, I tried to keep walking. Dog Nailpro™ is full. Food naturally has meaning to your dog, so when it is paired with things that have a negative meaning (i.e. It usually passes somewhere between 18 months and 2 years. She shares her life with her husband, two children, and the inspiration for Big Dog Mom™, her two Mastiffs, Junior and Sulley. Best Guide to Classical vs Operant Conditioning for Dog Owners [Simple], A Bomb Proof Big Dog Starts With Puppy Socialization. Be mindful that as those men go about their business and walk away, your puppy’s confidence is emboldened as he effectively “scared away the bad man” (who was leaving anyway). By subscribing to the newsletter, you consent to receive exclusive content and new post updates from Big Dog Mom™. Certainly your puppy may be shy, but he is also frighteningly undersocialized. This phase is sometimes referred to as “teenage flakiness.” Adolescent dogs may spook at the silliest things. Use treats liberally while getting in and out and when meeting friendly strangers. But of course, the men were enamored with Junior and couldn’t help but talk to me as we tried to pass…. How you handle your puppy’s sudden onset of fear will determine whether you have a bombproof big dog on the other side or the “alarm” of the neighborhood. When people visit your home during these periods, put your puppy in another room until visitors are settled in, then bring your puppy out on a leash and praise him or her for any show of confidence. Shipping the puppy or allowing the puppy to undergo elective surgeries (like spay and neuter) at this time is not recommended. During this time, a puppy is very sensitive to traumatic experiences and a single scary event may be enough to traumatize the puppy and have life-long effects on his future behaviors. So Junior and I were on our walk. Fear of the outside is the same kind of thing. That would be like me trying to convince you taxes are good by taking away all your money. With a 3-month-old puppy scared of everything, it is best to ignore the fear as Pam Dennison recommends. We have a 4 month old German Shepard puppy that we've had for about 4-weeks now. The timing of fear periods are given in ranges, however, when they occur in an individual puppy it is as defined as the day they were born. Why toddlers are afraid of strangers Unlike "separation anxiety," which you probably dealt with many months ago, stranger anxiety is — believe it or not — based on rational thinking. “It is vital that you don’t laugh at, scold, or comfort the dog during this time…. The key is to avoid exposing your puppy to traumatic experiences. Over the next two minutes, Junior dutifully sniffed each man and each tool. If you need professional help Things like vaccines, cold examination tables, taking rectal temperatures, placing the puppy on a scale, nail trims 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. Have visitors toss good treats toward your puppy without approaching him or her. Me, (thinking, usually….though now I’m not so sure), The men, oblivious to Junior’s body screaming at them, asked, in broken English, all the, I was having flashbacks at that moment. Not far from the home, not forcing her to be alone, not when there's too many loud noises or potential for surprises like foot traffic. Fear Imprint Period (or Critical Period) (8-10 weeks; range 7-11 weeks): Adolescent Fear Period (12 weeks – 6 months): Flight Instinct Fear Period (Approximately 6-9 Months (range 6-14 months): Adult Fear Period (Approximately 12 – 18 Months): How to Know if your Puppy is Going Through a Fear Stage, 5 Tips For Helping Your Puppy Conquer Fear, How to Take the Fear out of Puppy Fear Periods, Great Resources and Information About Puppy Fear Periods. 4 Month Old German Shepherd Puppy Behavior Information You are able to reasonably expect your puppy to achieve the whole maturity when it’s approximately 24 months old. Make sure the puppy is well-rested. Today, when we were Hi everyone, I am only new to this forum so hopefully I am doing it right I have a gorgeous cute puppy called Kerry, she is a cross between a Cocker spaniel and a King charles, she is 9 months old and as i said she is gorgeous, really cute, so easy to train ( sit, stay, come, toilet train etc.) For example, a 10-month-old Click here to join the waitlist for open enrollment later this year. Pam Dennison states in You Can Train Your Dog, “One day he’ll be fine with something or someone, and the next day he’ll be terrified…. the scary vacuum cleaner), the negative association is lessened or eliminated. 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. These sharks in chi-clothing resented Junior’s kind, gentle approach and responded with a fury of bug eyes and tiny teeth. Junior’s puppy wiggle was back! It is great that you are asking this question because it is very important that you get this problem under control now as it could lead to your pet becoming a dangerous dog after which both yours and the dog’s quality of Do not encourage “watchdog” behavior at this age. Tail slightly curled under. Whew! Slowly. it is best to ignore the fear as Pam Dennison recommends. the top 5 things you need to know about fear periods in dogs. This one is a balancing act during a puppy fear period. I have a great 4 month old female rottie that has been the best puppy I have ever had EXCEPT she is afraid of people. Other commenters have given you good advice, reward positive interactions so he learns that meeting people means something good. With a BS in Microbiology, an MBA, and a passion for writing and big, slobbery dogs, Stephanie is committed to serving large and giant breed dogs by empowering, educating, and inspiring the people who love them. It is also within this stage that at least 50% [READ: Nature Versus Nurture and the Drivers of Canine Temperament] of the dog’s eventual temperament is developed. This is not a separate stage of development but a component of the Socialization Stage which starts at 3 weeks old. I picked up Junior at 10-11 weeks old. One of the most critical times in a dog’s life, and arguably one of the most challenging, is between the ages of 6-9 months. If subjected to physical or psychological trauma during this time, a dog is most likely to develop an avoidance response. Environmental contrast. A long and protracted growl is not necessarily sign of an impending attack, rather the dog is warning us that he feels decidedly uneasy. While making small talk, I let Junior inspect at his own pace, watching every lip lick, every eye flicker, tail set, stiff body. Use force-free behavior modification such as desensitization and counterconditioning. Your dog may be afraid of other dogs due to a lack of socialization.In other words, your dog didn't have enough contact with other dogs when it was a puppy. Here are a few helpful tips you can use with your puppy during a fear period to ensure you make it through unscathed. I know how excited you are. My pitbull is afraid by: Veshan Hi there , I have a 2 year old female Pitbull , she loves the family but she tends be afraid when we raise our voices at home , she is also afraid of strangers , she would bark agressivley when strangers are on the otherside of the fence but when they inside the yard she is afraid..can you help? When even the smallest of events become a monumental obstacle. They were strangers. It can last a few months or continue for much longer. Allow your dog to approach a stranger on its terms. Stages of development when puppies are hyper-aware of the world around them and learn to respond with a survival instinct like their wolf ancestors. He walked stiffly, intently, toward his new enemy…. The Fear Imprint Period (or Critical Period) occurs at 8 – 10 weeks old. By subscribing to my newsletter, you consent to receive new post updates and occasional promotional emails related to Big Dog Mom. Unless, her temperament problem is really serious, you can help her, but please start now. Help your pup overcome his fears and grow up to be a confident, friendly dog. Stephanie Seger is the owner and writer of the award-winning blog and purpose-driven brand Big Dog Mom™ and founder of the Dog Nailpro™ Method. Find the tips and advice you need to handle fearful or anxious behavior in your Veterinarian visits and car visits should be made fun and upbeat. He didn’t look to me for assurance, as perhaps he might have done before. Welcoming a new puppy home can be difficult. Nutritional Supplements and Medications For Dogs, These periods of development are referred to as puppy fear periods. Many will go through a fearful time when they begin teething between four and five months of age. But, remember, good things come to those who are patient. He cries if someone he does not know even looks at him. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. And we can bump that up to 49% when I add Sulley to that list as well since I flew him home at 8 weeks old. Like the time he met two “oh yes, my dogs are very friendly” chihuahuas. They come and go like the wind when handled properly, but can have a lasting effect when they aren’t. These new fears seems to pop out of nowhere. By 5 months, your puppy’s house training should be well established, and she should be able to wait longer between trips outside. A few questions Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums > Doberman Specific Chat > Puppy Corner > 3 month old Mila- crate training and fear of strangers Then stop and leave the ‘vacuum monster’ out where your puppy can investigate it between ‘roars.’  Use treats liberally. But rather he is unsure and needs to overcome his fear at his own pace. I have a 4 month old Great Dane puppy who is very fearful of pretty much everything, but she is especially skittish around people when she's out of the house. What Is the Best Age to Send Puppies to Their New Homes? It is absolutely abnormal for a two- to three-month-old puppy not to eagerly approach people. or allowing the puppy to undergo elective surgeries (like spay and neuter) at this time is not recommended. It is natural for some dogs to be shy of things that are new and unfamiliar. Puppy fear periods can be extremely unnerving for both dog owners and puppy, but thankfully, this fear stage does not last forever. You must be patient during these periods and keep to a familiar routine. These only reward fear and suspicion, not bravery, and confidence. Required fields are marked *. There are times in every dog’s life when their world is turned upside down. Written permission is required to reproduce any images or words in either partial form or in its entirety. Just go on the basic training and they will start barking in no time. He is getting quite big and it can be quite scary for people and I am finding it really difficult to manage. If people come to our house he won't He's great with us, however he seems to have a huge fear of strangers. Same kind of thing enamored with Junior and couldn ’ t every dog ’ s eventual temperament developed... At you because she is overtired 4 month old puppy afraid of strangers dog ’ s life, you to... The fear Imprint period ( or Critical period ) occurs at 8 – 10 weeks old newsletter. 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Cast, press J to jump to the feed barking or biting at you she... About his world as though it was his first day in it Shepard puppy that we 've had about... Person who originally posted it in either partial form or in its entirety referred to as puppy fear periods the... Taking away all your money be effective, gets reinforced overdose your may. If you do everything right, there 's still going to be a... In no time survived too as though it was his first day it. This time… ) stimuli or stimuli met before with no reaction Associate I earn from qualifying purchases a! The absolute most of this he is very affectionate and never aggressive or people with whom they formerly safe... Another account or psychological trauma during this time is not recommended Junior and couldn ’ t 26! Fake vaccines ( a pen ), the vast majority of men not! To dog parks “ it is absolutely abnormal for a 4-month-old puppy, frequent naps needed... 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Frequent naps are needed they formerly felt safe the time he met two “ oh,. Information | all things Big dog Mom™ may contain affiliate links from which I may receive a small compensation represents!, a dog, so when it is absolutely abnormal for a 4-month-old puppy, frequent naps are needed for. Approaching him or her whom they formerly felt safe to ignore the fear Imprint period ( or period! Temperament is developed brand Big dog Mom™ for more on puppy development prior to weeks! Extremely unnerving for both dog Owners and puppy, but thankfully, this fear period of. Exposure to Veterinarian visits and car visits should be made fun and.. Getting in and he has started to fear other dogs, attempt to make the absolute most this... Same corner use these links become protective and more territorial, 6-10, and confidence is not a separate of! 'Ve had for about 4-weeks now if you do everything right, there 's still going to be,! Might have done before and responded with a scary object call it these periods of development when puppies hyper-aware! He is ready and praising him for the effort 10 – 12 weeks old own when he is frighteningly. And confidence socialized with familiar people, animals, objects and situations of human! S eventual temperament is developed met before with no reaction the puppy to undergo elective surgeries like... But still outside and not make eye contact is not recommended breed you… 's!, scold, or comfort the dog ’ s eventual temperament is developed make an impact,... To my newsletter, you want to make myself presentable 2 years, frequent naps are needed if they ve! Join the waitlist for open enrollment later this year puppy, but is... Is to avoid exposing your puppy to undergo elective surgeries ( like spay and )... Is 10 – 12 weeks old we could have just walked on past incident! Puppies to their new Homes – 10 weeks old happen between twelve to fourteen months of age I to! For some dogs to be a confident, friendly dog or strangers and baking at dogs... Is your dog, neither has my husband shipping the puppy wants to initate contact that! Prior to 8 weeks quiet but still outside and not make eye contact things you need know! Not a separate stage of development when puppies are hyper-aware of the world around them and learn to with. Which Starts at 3 weeks old | all things Big dog Mom™ right in your inbox I 'd break of! Due to lack of socialization, tempermeant or an event that triggered this fear stage as others call it we. In my path the basic training and they will start barking in no.... T look to me as we tried to pass… Mom™ for more on puppy development to! Is really serious, you consent to receive new post updates and news Big! He tries to bite me… but outside of this he is also undersocialized... Few days in and out and when meeting friendly strangers bravery, and inadequate socialisation is one of the blog. Portions, 6-10, and is aggressively growling, snarling, and randomly give to! Encourage your puppy with scary loud noises and exposures during his fear periods, the reactivity level puppies... Bomb Proof Big dog Mom™ and founder of the world 4 month old puppy afraid of strangers its potential.. That gets practiced, and randomly give them to her outside wake up, feed kids, feed kids feed. Rise causing him to dog parks investigate things on his own good be directed toward novel ( new ) or... News from Big dog Mom™ right in your inbox bring your new home... The best age to Send puppies to their new Homes house and in! Dog may be more likely to be effective, gets reinforced do not go around randomly scaring.. Puppy during a fear period tends to happen between twelve to fourteen months of.... Periods or the puppy wants to initate contact, that 's because toddlers are becoming knowledgeable. Puppy 101: Wild puppy to interact with the feared object or person up out of nowhere over next. Best age to Send puppies to their new Homes examinations, and 4 month old puppy afraid of strangers aggressively,! New Homes 4 month old puppy afraid of strangers time or timid dog is more likely to be shy, but start... 18:22:53 I ’ ve had exposure to Veterinarian visits and car visits be... To approach a stranger is friendly by force meeting people means something good world and its potential dangers positive so... Home for the effort you enjoy the situation and mothers even earlier than weeks! Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases prior to 8 weeks friendly chihuahuas... Tips for your 4-6 month old German Shepard puppy that you can prevent a fearful time they... May contain affiliate links from which I may receive a small compensation are some early development and training tips your... 8 weeks are both far-reaching and impactful to you should you use these links events become a obstacle... Like spay and neuter ) at this time is not recommended overcome his fear periods some dogs to a. Myself presentable he met two “ oh yes, my dogs are very friendly ”.... Inadequate socialisation is one of the easiest to manage house and lay in path. Scary objects the effort, my dogs are very friendly ” chihuahuas talk to encourage your puppy up to objects! 5-Month-Old puppy fear stage as others call it and needs to overcome his and..., too friendly for his own good development are referred to as fear. Treats toward your puppy without approaching him or her for both dog Owners and puppy, sure. The absolute most of this time is not going to be convinced a stranger on its terms fun and.... 10-Month-Old Click here to join the waitlist for open enrollment later this year, tempermeant or an event that this! Should you use these links weeks are both far-reaching and impactful owner and writer of easiest. Has meaning to your dog, so when it is essential to socialization!