Please explain second fear stage
- Thread starter Loki'smom
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Fear stages are more correctly called "fear imprint stages". All dogs have them. It is essentially just a fear of new situations phase, and a stage during which any traumatic events (or frights) will have a more pronounced and lasting effect upon the dog. Managed well and a confident and outgoing individual emerges. Badly, and you can have an uptight or even fear-aggressive dog on your hands.
Fortunately, it's not that difficult to manage
The first fear imprint stage is short and occurs when the pup is young - around the 8-11 week mark (not that full period, but within it). That's one reason why it is sometimes recomended that if you don't bring a pup home at 8 weeks, then you should wait until 11/12 weeks, so that the change is less traumatic.
The second occurs when the dog is an adolescent. Somewhere between the ages of 6-14 months (usually nearer the lower end of that range), and will last a good 3 months or so.
And it's possible that a dog may have a third fear imprint stage between 12-16 months.
I dare say that those stages are probably very well aligned to the developmental periods of a dog's life in a hunting pack scenario. The first stage would be around the time the pup's start to have just a little independance from their mother (so learning fear is a good thing). The second around about the time pups would start to be included in hunting activities - so again, learning what they should and shouldn't be frightened of is an essential lesson. Well, that's just musing really. But maybe it's useful to know that it's not a product of how we raise them, but a natural occurance that almost certainly has/had a useful purpose to serve.
It's also worth noting that how frightened a dog appears to become of new situations (even familiar situations) does vary between individuals. Some are going to freak out over the trash can being moved. With others, the stage may barely be apparent. It just depends on the personality of the individual dog.
And the management of the dog's fear will most certainly have an impact. If you make a fuss about it - either forcing the dog to face what he's frightened of, trying to sooth his fear, or worst of all, imagining it's "protectiveness" when the dog growls at strangers and egging him on - are all actions that are liable to confirm to the dog that there is good reason to be afraid. So they're counterproductive.
Instead, you need to show him through ignoring his fear and your own confident, outgoing and nonchalent attitude that there is nothing for him to be frightened of. He'll be watching - and little by little, will come back out his shell and follow the example you give him. You're clearly not bothered by the "scary things" - so gradually, he'll be convinced that there is no need for him to be either.
So - to answer your actual question about whether he can pick it up from you, or pass it to other dogs, well the answer is yes, in some way. The dog isn't going to enter a fear stage because of the actions of a person or other dog. But the actions of the owner, or other dogs during his fear phase will certainly have an effect.
Fortunately, it's not that difficult to manage
The first fear imprint stage is short and occurs when the pup is young - around the 8-11 week mark (not that full period, but within it). That's one reason why it is sometimes recomended that if you don't bring a pup home at 8 weeks, then you should wait until 11/12 weeks, so that the change is less traumatic.
The second occurs when the dog is an adolescent. Somewhere between the ages of 6-14 months (usually nearer the lower end of that range), and will last a good 3 months or so.
And it's possible that a dog may have a third fear imprint stage between 12-16 months.
I dare say that those stages are probably very well aligned to the developmental periods of a dog's life in a hunting pack scenario. The first stage would be around the time the pup's start to have just a little independance from their mother (so learning fear is a good thing). The second around about the time pups would start to be included in hunting activities - so again, learning what they should and shouldn't be frightened of is an essential lesson. Well, that's just musing really. But maybe it's useful to know that it's not a product of how we raise them, but a natural occurance that almost certainly has/had a useful purpose to serve.
It's also worth noting that how frightened a dog appears to become of new situations (even familiar situations) does vary between individuals. Some are going to freak out over the trash can being moved. With others, the stage may barely be apparent. It just depends on the personality of the individual dog.
And the management of the dog's fear will most certainly have an impact. If you make a fuss about it - either forcing the dog to face what he's frightened of, trying to sooth his fear, or worst of all, imagining it's "protectiveness" when the dog growls at strangers and egging him on - are all actions that are liable to confirm to the dog that there is good reason to be afraid. So they're counterproductive.
Instead, you need to show him through ignoring his fear and your own confident, outgoing and nonchalent attitude that there is nothing for him to be frightened of. He'll be watching - and little by little, will come back out his shell and follow the example you give him. You're clearly not bothered by the "scary things" - so gradually, he'll be convinced that there is no need for him to be either.
So - to answer your actual question about whether he can pick it up from you, or pass it to other dogs, well the answer is yes, in some way. The dog isn't going to enter a fear stage because of the actions of a person or other dog. But the actions of the owner, or other dogs during his fear phase will certainly have an effect.
Yes, but as stated, how apparent/obvious it is really depends on the dog Some become very obviously and overtly fearful (which can take the form of fear aggression, not just running and hiding behind your legs LOL), while with others it is barely discernable.
Some become very obviously and overtly fearful (which can take the form of fear aggression, not just running and hiding behind your legs LOL), while with others it is barely discernable.dharmadoodle
Boxer Pal
Rogue is 15mths & is still jumpy & wary!! We ignore everything, & act normal, & have been using this method for months now - Not much change. :(
SandyHG55654
Banned
for the ones who become more agressive, does this eventually go away when the fear stage is over or does it make the dog this way longterm? I've just been noticing Dozer is more easily jumpy and tends to nip, or growl when nervous or scared. Is there anything to help ease a dog through this so he is well adjusted later? He's been going through mild fear since about 5 1/2 -6 months and just turned 9 months and it seems to be the worst now, Does it peak then go away? I'm expecting he'll have the 3rd fear as well so I'm guessing we might have to help him cope until past 18 months or so?gmacleod said:
If the dog's fear doesn't get confirmed (ie. he learns that there is no need to fearful, and thus defensive), then yes, it should go away. A confident and relaxed dog should emerge out the other side.
The way to "ease them through it" is to lead Show the dog that there is no need to be afraid. And try to manage situations so the dog is not forced to face his fears. For example, a dog that is scared of strange people shouldn't be put in a situation where they stand over him and try to pet him on the head! Of course, he's going to either run or fight in that situation. So, he should still be socialised, but when it comes to strangers, he should be basically ignored until he comes forward himself. No force, but no attention paid to his fear either - meaning it wasn't confirmed.
The way to "ease them through it" is to lead
Show the dog that there is no need to be afraid. And try to manage situations so the dog is not forced to face his fears. For example, a dog that is scared of strange people shouldn't be put in a situation where they stand over him and try to pet him on the head! Of course, he's going to either run or fight in that situation. So, he should still be socialised, but when it comes to strangers, he should be basically ignored until he comes forward himself. No force, but no attention paid to his fear either - meaning it wasn't confirmed.SandyHG55654
Banned
Dozer is mainly fearful of sounds and darkness lately and will jump up and bark at nothing, cicle and keep checking back. One night he was quite upset over my bedroom digital clock blinking. :rolleyes: So what I do is say "It's ok Dozer" calmly and pat him once on the back and just go on with whatever i'm doing. Is that the propper way to lead or is there something else I should do intead?gmacleod said:The way to "ease them through it" is to lead
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