Dog training: the period of the imprint of fear

During weeks eight through twelve, there is a period called “The Fear Impression Period.” During this time, any particularly frightening or painful experience will leave a lasting impression on your dog rather than occurring at any other time in his life. If the experience is very traumatic, it could literally ruin your dog’s life.

While at this time you should avoid exposing your dog to traumatic experiences. For example, surgery such as ear cropping, if it is to be performed, must be performed before 8 weeks or after 11 weeks of age. Also, when you take your dog to the vet, ask the doctor to give him a treat before he performs any exams to make the visit to the vet an enjoyable experience. Although you should stay away from any stressful situation, continue to train your dog in a positive way.

During their first year of growth, you may sometimes see fearful reactions. Do not respond by dragging it towards the object that was afraid of it. Don’t actually soothe or pet him. The reason for this is because he might think that you are encouraging his reaction and behavior.

What you should do is distract the dog with another toy or a treat so that he takes his mind off the object that scared him and focuses on something pleasant. Practice some of the commands you’ve already been taught so you can focus on a positive experience. After about two weeks or less, that fearful behavior will go away.