Dogs experience seven developmental periods, from puppyhood to adulthood, and it’s important we understand each. I’m covering the stages, what they mean for our dog’s emotional growth and how we can build skills and confidence for the dogs in our lives. Knowing your puppy’s or dog’s current stage helps overcome behavior difficulties and guides your training choices.
🐾 Key topic timestamps:
00:00 7 Stages of Dog Development From Puppyhood to Maturity.
00:58 4 criteria for understanding a dog’s growth period.
01:15 Separate expectations of your dog and yourself.
01:39 Diagnosing when dog training fails.
02:37 The environment wins in dog training.
03:27 A dog’s will to choose what you want.
04:36 Dogs are always doing the best they can.
05:32 Stage 1 Dog Development: Neonatal (co-regulation from mother)
06:38 Stage 2 Dog Development: Transitional (2-4 weeks old)
07:55 Stage 3 Dog Development: First Socialization Period (4-7 weeks old)
09:38 Stage 4 Dog Development: Second Socialization Period (8-12 weeks old)
09:49 The best age to get a puppy.
10:00 Mother dogs discipline their puppies through play.
10:41 Keep puppies together for at least 9 weeks.
12:21 When ‘fear periods’ begin in puppies.
12:47 How to bond with a puppy quickly.
13:34 Manage expectations before bringing puppy home.
14:47 Stage 5 Dog Development: The Juvenile Period (3mos -6mos old)
15:01 Puppy’s confidence, curiosity and independence grows.
16:51 Stage 6 Dog Development: Adolescence (6mos -18mos old)
17:36 Learned dog owners have well-behaved dogs.
18:22 Stage 7 Dog Development: Maturity Period (18mos – 3 yrs old)
18:53 The dog’s emotional wellbeing comes first in their development.
🐾 In the episode you’ll hear:
• The four criteria for deeper insight into a dog’s development phases.
• How expectations of ourselves and our dogs should be distinct.
• The three culprits of ‘dog training gone wrong.’
• The critical importance of understanding a dog’s motivations.
• Why the environment you’re training in always wins.
• The difference between a willing dog vs. dogs being labelled as wilful.
• That dogs are always doing the best they can.
• Stage 1 Dog Development: Neonatal (co-regulation from mother)
• Stage 2 Dog Development: Transitional (2-4 weeks old)
• Stage 3 Dog Development: First Socialization Period (4-7 weeks old)
• Stage 4 Dog Development: Second Socialization Period (8-12 weeks old)
• How mother dogs discipline their puppies through play.
• Why it’s best to keep puppies together for at least nine weeks.
• That the first ‘puppy fear period’ may begin at 8 to 12 weeks.
• Why relationship games for bonding are critical when a puppy comes home.
• How a puppy temporarily attaches themselves in a new or overwhelming environment.
• Stage 5 Dog Development: The Juvenile Period (3mos -6mos old)
• The importance of managing environments as a puppy’s confidence, independence and curiosity grows.
• Stage 6 Dog Development: Adolescence (6 – 18 months old)
• That the more informed dog owners become, the smarter the dog becomes.
• Stage 7 Dog Development: Maturity Period (18 months – 3 years old)
• Why focusing on a dog’s emotional wellbeing is as important as tricks, sports, and behavior.
Recallers:
Contact us at [email protected] with the subject line “My Dog Needs Skills”
Resources:
1. Podcast Episode 197: Outsmarting Distractions: How To Use Environmental Reinforcement in Dog Training – https://youtu.be/u5Mi_DwU35A
2. Podcast Episode 176: Why Your Dog’s Emotions Are A Critical Element Of Dog Training – https://youtu.be/zT1mzPhmGdo
3. Podcast Episode 196: Why Mastering Reinforcement Is The Linchpin To Reinforcement Based Dog Training – https://youtu.be/aDe3GiJRXVg
4. Podcast Episode 24: Help for Dogs who Chase Chipmunks, Bicycles, and Neighbor’s Cats (Distraction Intensity Index) – https://youtu.be/Z9hXKLCK0Cg
5. Podcast Episode 159: Help! My Puppy Is A Bully And Plays Too Rough – https://youtu.be/0kbDlNIxtn4
6. Podcast Episode 127: Puppy Socialization: Playtime For Puppies And Permissions – https://youtu.be/b5po2aC9mAg
7. Podcast Episode 48: Potty Train Your Puppy in a Week (Easy 3 Step Process) – https://youtu.be/b1UqsXQBH1A
8. Podcast Episode 199: Puppy Fear Periods: Help For Socializing Puppies Or Rescue Dogs Scared Of People – https://youtu.be/-QDtHTbpHpY
9. Podcast Episode 44: Using Coincidences and Positive Associations in Dog Training – https://youtu.be/LA-FB1gbMc4
10. Podcast Episode 217: Understanding Emotional Regulation In Dogs To Create Calm – https://youtu.be/p1fFwp14aLE
11. Podcast Episode 204: Dog Behavior And Diet: Recovery For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 2 – https://youtu.be/OhlV8M10O2U
12. Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! – https://youtu.be/JIPxgReFk58
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Our Website: https://dogsthat.com
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source
Outsmart distractions so you win over the environment – https://youtu.be/u5Mi_DwU35A
Thank you Susan!
My puppy is 9 months old yesterday and just hit the teenage phase – what a change! He’s just as sweet but that selective hearing is a bitch! His breeder didn’t take him out and socialize him before I got him at 6 months so we’ve been fighting a ton of fear as he gets socialized. Luckily he has the most amazing temperament I’ve ever seen so i think we will eventually work through it, definitely has been a process!
Thank you for addressing the vaccines and pesticides as they have major effects on behaviors ❤
I loved this video. So much information, I'll be listening to it several times. Thank you!
Newfies aren’t adults till 3! And 4 is even more mature. I have a two year old and a three year old and I always consider age
So great! I’ve even seen breeders that do early neurological stimulation on tiny baby puppies to help their stress response and emotional stability before their eyes even open!
❤ Fantastic breakdown Susan! This was so clear and what a kind thing to do for us as we try to navigate the stages of our pups. I’m so happy that I listened to this and hubby was able to let go of some old school theories after listening as well! Yay! 🎉
I was getting bogged down with discouragement and having unrealistic expectations of my puppy. You enabled me to take a big sigh of relief and become encouraged once again that I just have to trust the process. Just because I don’t see what I or hubby presumed we “should” see, and it isn’t the puppy. We are the ones who have to own it and get a little more dedicated and consistent with our training. I love being in Recallers and will persevere through Zeke’s stages. I understand now what exactly is going on when things change and I thank you so much Susan for such a great comprehensive explanation. Big Hug! 🤗 😊❤
I have a super slow to mature Beauceron puppy. They are extremely physical with each other & their humans. Many, including mine, have a natural desire to body slam you at mach 10 speeds 😂 the males esp aren't mentally or physically mature until 4 or so
I can attest to the awesomeness of Susan's team! They are there every step of the way to answer questions! If you are debating on getting any of her programs, do not wait another minute! I spent 200 dollars on another program and regretted it. I cant get that money back. I wish I would have found Susan sooner, but I can't undo that. All I can do is move forward in my training with her amazing programs and free YouTube videos. But you can't learn all there is to know from the Youtube videos. They really just supplement the programs. Why are you waiting? Go get one now and start today!
Excellent! Thank you🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪
Always the best dog training podcast ❤
Susan TX so much for that review. I will add notes to my collection! Fergie is 4 months old and today was day 2 of crate games. She is such a Super Star, even when my H / distraction wandered in this morning! I need to play Reenforcement Zone outside the home but in lower key environments. Tx for reminder.
BTW when Fergie put her 2 front paws on the vet's table on TH, by a jar of treats, I "tented" my hand in front of jar and she hopped off table into an uncued sit! The vet, who knows your work, thought that was amazing, and urged the RN to watch when Fergie went up on a counter with a soft cheese on the tongue depressor! Ah ha, the Finger Tent, got cha.❤
I do wish you could Star Trek Mind Meld me with your brain, however. I want the whole thing, NOW.
This is a fabulous video Susan sending all the cookies
Thank you Susan!,
I was taking notes
❤❤❤❤❤
You’re making me want to get back into conformation so that I could breed a litter of pups and raise them the Say Yes way ❤
I personally love adolescent dogs – they are so much fun at that stage
For anyone wondering whether Recallers is a good investment, I’m here to say, “YES!” It helped me and my dog grow our relationship and increase our skills.
Thank you for investing your time and energy into this podcast
I love watching your your videos! I raise Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and I have recommended your videos to my people who already have one of my babies. What I would like to know is, do you have, or could you create training videos that I can pack in my puppy bags for my new puppy parents? Many of the people try to wait for the puppy to show THEM cues instead of the other way around. I have to tell THEM to teach the puppy the behaviors they want!
HELP!
I definitely need more skills, ive done traditional dog training in obedience and agility. But i still stuff i struggle with. I have an 6year old kelpie and a new border collie puppy. So need all the help i can get. Love your posts so far.
We are getting a puppy in August at 8 weeks old. Where should I start with your programs? Both now for preparing myself and my kids (age 8 and 10) and for when the pup comes home?
I’m loving the home school the dog right now , thank you