Developmental Stages

DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW

Socialization is crucial for any dog’s upbringing, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all deal—it depends on their age and stage of development. You’ll notice some stages overlap, and while timeframes are given, every dog is going to do things at their own pace. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect:

Primary Socialization Period (4-16 weeks)

This is prime time for getting your puppy used to a variety of people, dogs, and other animals. But more isn’t always better—taking your puppy to a loud, crowded parade might just freak them out. Focus on quality over quantity, exposing them repeatedly to friendly, non-threatening dogs and people. Puppies can also form negative associations during this period, so use your judgment to decide if a person, dog, or situation will be beneficial or harmful for your dog at this point. If the person or dog you are meeting is acting in an appropriate, non-menacing way and your puppy is leery or unsure, that’s okay. You don’t need to avoid that situation, in fact it can be great for your puppy to be in a situation in which they are initially unsure and then they get over it. This will help your puppy become more resilient and adaptable.

This period also includes the first fear period, from 8-11 weeks. Your puppy is especially impressionable during this time, so aim to keep things positive. Strong associations, especially involving pain or fear, can stick with them.

You might notice your puppy sticking close to you during this time—don’t get too comfortable with that. They might turn out to be a “velcro dog,” but it’s too early to tell.

First Independence Period (4-8 months)

While your puppy may have been a bit clingy before, during this Independence Period, they’ll start exploring more. They might become more confident and try new things or adapt to new situations quicker.

Adolescence (6-18 months)

Teething might be over by 6 months, but guess what? Your dog’s got a second chewing phase coming up from 7-9 months. This time, it’s more about exploring the world with their mouth than soothing sore gums. The chewing might end around 9 months, but if your dog discovers that chewing on certain things is fun or tasty, they might keep it up for life. So, keep an eye on what they’re gnawing on and nip any bad habits in the bud.

During adolescence, you might notice your dog becoming more independent and less consistent in responding to training cues. Don’t panic—this is totally normal. Training is a long game with ups and downs.

Adolescence also comes with a second fear period from 6-14 months. Smaller dogs mature faster and might hit this stage around 6 months, while bigger dogs might start closer to 10 months. During this time, your puppy might suddenly become scared of new situations. Let them explore at their own pace and be there to reassure them, but don’t smother them—too much fussing can reinforce their fears.

As your dog hits sexual maturity during adolescence, hormones will kick in and might start influencing their behavior. If your dog’s going to show any aggressive tendencies, this is often when it starts.

Maturation (18 months - 4 years)

Smaller breeds will hit behavioral maturity around 18 months, while larger breeds might take until around 4 years to fully mature. During this time, aggressive tendencies can become more pronounced, so keep an eye on how your dog is behaving and keep working on that training!