Developmental periods
Developmental periods
As your puppy grows up, he will go through various developmental periods. These periods, in turn, influence how he responds to training.
The first major period that influences training occurs sometime between the fourth and eighth months, when your puppy realizes there is a big, wide world out there. Up to now, chances are the puppy followed your every footstep and perhaps even willingly came to you every time you called him. But now he wants to do his own thing—investigate a scent, follow a trail, chase a butterfly, whatever. He is maturing and cutting the apron strings. This is normal behavior. Your puppy is not being spiteful or disobedient, he’s just becoming an adolescent.
While Felix is going through this phase, it is best to keep him on leash or in a confined area until you have taught him to come
when called. Otherwise, not coming when called will become an annoying and potentially dangerous habit.
Once it becomes an established behavior, it will be difficult to change, so prevention is the best cure. Chapter 9 explains how to teach your dog to come when called
Under no circumstances should you chase after your dog, as he will think you are playing his game. Instead, run the other way and try to get him to chase you. If that does not work, kneel down and pretend you have found something extremely interesting on the ground, hoping your dog’s curiosity will make him come to you. If you do have to go to your dog, approach slowly until you can calmly take him by the collar.
The need to socialize
Your dog is a social animal. To become an acceptable pet, he needs to interact with you, your family, and other humans, as well as dogs. If denied that chance, his behavior around other people or dogs may be unpredictable, either fearful or aggressive. For example, unless he regularly meets children during this period, he may not be trustworthy around them, especially when he feels cornered. Your puppy needs the opportunity to meet and to have positive experiences with those people who will play a role in his life. If you are a grandparent whose
grandchildren occasionally visit, have your puppy meet children as often as possible.If you live by yourself, make an effort to let your puppy meet other people, especially friends and members of the opposite sex. Interacting with other dogs on a regular basis as he is growing up is equally important.
If you plan to take Felix on family outings or vacations, get him used to riding in a car. Time spent on socializing now is worth the effort in making your puppy a well-adjusted companion. Puppyhood is short and goes by quickly, so use this time wisely.
As your puppy grows up, he will go through various developmental periods. These periods, in turn, influence how he responds to training.
The first major period that influences training occurs sometime between the fourth and eighth months, when your puppy realizes there is a big, wide world out there. Up to now, chances are the puppy followed your every footstep and perhaps even willingly came to you every time you called him. But now he wants to do his own thing—investigate a scent, follow a trail, chase a butterfly, whatever. He is maturing and cutting the apron strings. This is normal behavior. Your puppy is not being spiteful or disobedient, he’s just becoming an adolescent.
While Felix is going through this phase, it is best to keep him on leash or in a confined area until you have taught him to come
when called. Otherwise, not coming when called will become an annoying and potentially dangerous habit.Once it becomes an established behavior, it will be difficult to change, so prevention is the best cure. Chapter 9 explains how to teach your dog to come when called
Under no circumstances should you chase after your dog, as he will think you are playing his game. Instead, run the other way and try to get him to chase you. If that does not work, kneel down and pretend you have found something extremely interesting on the ground, hoping your dog’s curiosity will make him come to you. If you do have to go to your dog, approach slowly until you can calmly take him by the collar.
The need to socialize
Your dog is a social animal. To become an acceptable pet, he needs to interact with you, your family, and other humans, as well as dogs. If denied that chance, his behavior around other people or dogs may be unpredictable, either fearful or aggressive. For example, unless he regularly meets children during this period, he may not be trustworthy around them, especially when he feels cornered. Your puppy needs the opportunity to meet and to have positive experiences with those people who will play a role in his life. If you are a grandparent whose
grandchildren occasionally visit, have your puppy meet children as often as possible.If you live by yourself, make an effort to let your puppy meet other people, especially friends and members of the opposite sex. Interacting with other dogs on a regular basis as he is growing up is equally important.
If you plan to take Felix on family outings or vacations, get him used to riding in a car. Time spent on socializing now is worth the effort in making your puppy a well-adjusted companion. Puppyhood is short and goes by quickly, so use this time wisely.
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