Puppies. Amy Fernandez

      And you will need to maintain an upbeat attitude to reassure the puppy during potentially frightening new experiences and to ensure that she makes a smooth adjustment.

      Eight- to twelve-week-old shepherd mix pups pile on top of each other for comfort and warmth.

      Twelve to Sixteen Weeks

      (Independence Period)

      The puppy normally receives her second and third vaccinations at approximately twelve and sixteen weeks, respectively. Once inoculated, she can be introduced to new people and places. Daily socialization and short training sessions will counteract fear and instill confidence and good manners. (See chapter 7 for more on socialization.)

      By fourteen weeks, the spontaneous desire to socialize and investigate begins to wane, and a puppy becomes wary of unfamiliar people and places. Continually introducing her to new experiences becomes increasingly important. The lessons of socialization must be consistently reinforced until a puppy reaches adulthood—and beyond.

       Fear Imprinting

       THE PERIOD FROM EIGHT TO TWELVE WEEKS IS SOMETIMES referred to as the fear imprinting period because a puppy becomes more sensitive to her surroundings. As puppies investigate their new surroundings, they learn that some things should be feared. This can be something straightforward, such as physical pain, harsh correction, or bullying by other pets. Or, it can result from an irrational reaction to something unusual. A sound-sensitive puppy can become overly fearful in response to a car backfiring, fire crackers popping, or a noisy parade traipsing down Main Street. A touch-sensitive puppy can have difficulty recovering if someone accidentally steps on her foot or tail. Although fear imprinting is a temporary phase, try to minimize stress during these weeks. A few bad experiences can set a pattern that may be difficult to overcome and permanently affect a puppy’s personality.

       Here is a chronological breakdown of the stages related to fear imprinting:

      • Three to four weeks: puppies won’t hesitate to approach anything interesting and don’t generally learn from their “mistakes.”

      • Five weeks: puppies begin to develop a sense of fear, based on memory and experience, and become more cautious.

      • Seven weeks: puppies have good memories, and fear responses can form quickly.

      • Nine weeks: fear imprinting usually peaks.

      • Ten weeks: unwarranted fear reactions usually level off as the puppies’ understanding of their environment becomes more reliable.

      Four to Six Months

      (Preadolescent Period)

      At four months, a puppy’s permanent teeth begin to grow in, replacing her primary ones. Unlike the earlier teething phase, this one can be associated with behavior problems. A puppy may become temperamental due to the discomfort, but fortunately her moodiness will be short lived.

      Social pressures will become a larger issue for the puppy as adolescence approaches. Puppies become more conscious of their positions in the household pack, attempting either to fit in or to improve their status. Adult dogs have the least tolerance for puppies of this age; what used to be a soft nip at the ear from a tiny pup becomes a rather painful bite from a puppy who has grown to almost adult size. Both humans and other dogs in the household start expecting a puppy to behave properly, like the rest of the pack. Ideally, the puppy will possess the essential social skills and stress tolerance to cope with these demands.

      The Teenage Puppy

      (Six Months to Two Years: Adolescence)

      Adolescence presents a multitude of challenges—not only for the puppy but also for the puppy owner. Owners generally expect puppies at this age to exhibit reliable house-training and adult demeanor. However, the fact that your adolescent puppy looks more like an adult dog does not automatically mean she is capable of thinking or behaving like one. In fact, her physical, emotional, and mental resources may take a nosedive.

      During adolescence, even well-socialized puppies can experience some insecurity and instability. For example, some puppies may become suspicious of strangers or act uncharacteristically submissive in response to stress or reprimand. Some will become markedly more aggressive. Although training and reinforcement of desired behavior will not guarantee that adolescent behavior problems won’t arise, your efforts will certainly help to minimize such problems. At six months of age, puppies become eligible to compete in formal dog shows and performance events, which bring structured training routines and competitive aspirations.

      Like their human counterparts, adolescent dogs, such as this shepherd, may exhibit behavioral problems. They may become insecure and more submissive—or more aggressive.

      A litter of border collies hobnob with a lamb, who may be a future charge. Affectionate and protective, these herding dogs can be a good choice for families.

      THERE ARE PLENTY OF REASONS TO WANT A PUPPY. The trick is to make sure your reasons are the right ones. It’s easy to imagine how a puppy can enhance your life—as a devoted friend, a watchdog, a playmate, an exercise buddy. But owning a puppy is a two-way street. A puppy will create major changes in your lifestyle—more than just vet bills and rug cleaning. Are you prepared to cope with the added responsibility? If you decide you are ready to be an owner, you will need to determine which dog is right for you, choosing one who will fit in with your lifestyle. Different breeds have different requirements and temperaments, and it may take time to find the perfect puppy. Even after deciding on a breed, you will find that the pups in a litter all have individual personalities.

      The first step, however, is to determine whether you are prepared to cope with the added responsibility of owning a puppy. Begin by asking yourself some general questions.

      Does a Puppy Fit Your Lifestyle?

      Do you know what it’s really like to live with a dog? If your ideas about dog ownership consist mainly of childhood memories, update this with some current experience. Do more than visit dogs belonging to friends or relatives. Offer to dog sit for a week or two, and see whether you still feel enthusiastic about getting a dog (keep in mind that puppies will require more attention than adult dogs will). Or volunteer at a local animal shelter. Working with so many dogs will definitely tell you if you have the patience and stamina for a puppy.

      This chow chow’s paws-on approach to mealtime will mean extra cleanup work for the owner. Be sure to consider these kinds of chores when deciding whether you have time for a puppy.

      Do you have time for a puppy? Abundant leisure time or a flexible schedule does not automatically mean you want to devote this precious resource to puppy care. Do you want to spend your lunch hour going home to walk or feed a puppy? Or spend your weekends at puppy training classes? Or get up an hour early every day to tend to puppy chores?

      Utilizing time at doggy day care, employing a dog walking service, and taking a trip to a dog park can supplement your daily attention, but they cannot replace it. And every puppy comes with his own set of quirks and charms; you may have a collie who develops an independent spirit, or you may end up with a golden