- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If your once confident puppy is suddenly scared of people, places, or objects they were previously comfortable with, they might be going through a fear period. Fear periods typically occur twice between birth and 18 months. During a fear period, puppies become hypersensitive to their surroundings.
While it’s natural to feel concerned, fear periods are normal and temporary parts of your puppy’s development. With the right approach, you can help them navigate this challenging phase.
To learn how to support a puppy during a fear period, we turned to two experts: Dr. Wayne M. Johnson, a veterinarian at Birdneck Animal Hospital, and Dr. Wendy Hauser, a veterinary advisor to ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. We’ll also cover what to do if your dog is acting skittish outside the typical fear period range, plus how to train during this tricky period.
Signs That Your Dog Is In a Fear Period
Fear periods can really throw pet parents for a loop, especially during the baffling teenage months. Your dog’s fears may be unexpected or bizarre, triggered by anything from new people to a garden hose.
Here’s what to look for to help diagnose a fear period:
- Avoidance. Your puppy may run or hide from situations or objects they were previously unafraid of.
- Growling or barking. Puppies may get extra barky, even around familiar people or objects.
- Startling easily. Some puppies may get suddenly skittish around noisy objects like skateboards or lawnmowers, and others may startle at loud sounds like thunder or fireworks.
- Fearful body language. Watch for pinned ears, a tucked tail, raised hackles, or cowering.
- Shaking. If your dog is trembling when it’s not cold, it could be a sign of fear.
- Lip-licking. Dogs sometimes lick their lips to self-soothe when feeling anxious.
- Refusing to go for walks. Puppies might turn down walks for a lot of reasons—including anxiety about what’s outside the door.
Remember, what sets these signs apart from other types of fear is their sudden onset. It’s also worth noting that not every dog will display all of these fear responses. The intensity of the symptoms will also differ from one dog to another.
When Do Fear Periods Happen?
“These are crucial developmental stages, and the timing can vary slightly depending on the breed and individual dog,” says Dr. Johnson. Fear periods usually occur twice during puppyhood—the first around 8 to 11 weeks and the second around 6 to 14 months.
Dr. Hauser adds that size plays a role in the timing, too. For example:
- Small-breed puppies experience their second fear period around 6 to 9 months.
- Larger breeds have a more delayed onset, around 10 to 14 months.
- Giant breeds may experience their fear period as late as 14 to 17 months.
The good news is that most fear periods are relatively short-lived and typically last for 2 to 3 weeks.
Fear periods can happen outside traditional timing
Our experts confirm that fear periods can happen outside of the typical puppy stages—particularly in high-stress situations or after traumatic events.
While less common, fear periods can even appear in adulthood. You may see this with rescues or dogs with limited socialization. “The formation of fear is not exclusive to certain stages of a pet’s life,” explains Dr. Hauser.
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What If It’s Not a Fear Period?
Not all signs of fear in dogs indicate a fear period. If your puppy’s fear is new and sudden, it may be related to a fear period. However, if the fear worsens or persists for over three weeks, it could point to other underlying issues. In such cases, it’s a good idea to seek guidance from a veterinarian, a professional trainer, or a behaviorist.
The following factors can trigger responses that resemble a puppy fear period:
- Health issues. Dr. Johnson says health issues causing pain or discomfort can heighten fear in adult dogs. Examples include hearing or vision loss, arthritis, and neurological problems.
- Anxiety. Dr. Johnson also notes that anxiety disorders often present like a fear period.
- Breed-specific traits. Some breeds are more prone to being anxious or fearful in general. If your dog is jumpy, mistrustful of strangers, or does a lot of alert barking, it could be genetics at work.
- A history of trauma. Past traumatic experiences can cause a dog to develop fear or anxiety toward specific situations or objects. This may require the help of a qualified behaviorist or trainer.
- Environmental changes. A shift in routine, especially following the loss of another pet or family member, can set off a fear response.
- Lack of early socialization. Inadequate socialization during puppyhood can lead to fear of new situations or people.
How To Respond to Your Dog’s Fear Period
It’s important to understand that during a fear period, your dog is not being intentionally unruly or defiant. Instead, they likely feel anxious and uncertain about the world around them.
Therefore, it’s essential to provide your puppy with safe experiences during a fear period. The goal should be security, says Dr. Hauser, with lots of positive reinforcement.
Here are some tips for managing your puppy’s fear periods.
The “do’s” of puppy fear periods
- Create a safe environment. Ensure your puppy’s surroundings are free from anything that might cause fear, and provide a comfortable space for them to retreat to if needed. This may include a cozy dog bed, a favorite blanket, and calming toys for distraction.
- Encourage controlled socialization. During the formative puppy period, positive social experiences build your dog’s confidence. Dr. Johnson explains that gentle exposure can help dogs work through their fears without solidifying them.
- Use positive reinforcement. When your dog shows curiosity or responds positively to new experiences, use positive reinforcement (i.e., praise and treats) to encourage the behavior. This helps puppies associate new stimuli with positive outcomes.
- Stay calm and patient. Your dog looks to you for cues on how to react to new situations. If you act anxious and jumpy in new situations, they will do the same. Project calm confidence to show your puppy that the world is not a scary place.
The “don’ts” of puppy fear periods
- Don’t force interactions. Let your puppy explore at their own pace to prevent setbacks and deep-set fears. This means not pressuring or luring them to get closer to something they find scary.
- Don’t punish your dog. Punishment can intensify your dog’s fear and worsen the situation.
- Don’t make a fuss. Our instinct is to comfort our puppies, but too much attention can reinforce their fears. Instead, try to remain calm and composed around a nervous puppy. Also, try not to be startled by your dog’s barking or lunging, as this feeds into their energy.
How To Train During Your Dog’s Fear Period
Training is still necessary during your dog’s fear period, but it’s best to keep things light and positive.
“Focus on building confidence with low-pressure activities and lots of rewards,” suggests Dr. Johnson. Pet parents should stick to familiar environments where their dog feels safe and avoid introducing anything too intense.
Ongoing socialization with people and new situations is also important, but let your puppy take the lead and engage at their own pace. Dr. Hauser recommends allowing your puppy to decide how and when they want to interact with new things.
You can also work on desensitizing your puppy to their fears. This involves exposing them to their trigger at a low-intensity level, gradually increasing intensity as they become more relaxed. A professional trainer can provide support through this process to make sure it’s done correctly.
When your puppy interacts with their trigger or expresses curiosity, lay on the praise. You can reward them for looking at the scary stimuli, stepping towards it, or sniffing it. Offer treats if they look to you for guidance, too.
In addition, Dr. Hauser recommends structured puppy training classes as a great way to build confidence.
Remember, you don’t want to overwhelm your sensitive pup at this time. Take baby steps, and keep training sessions short, easy, and fun. Fear periods can be challenging, but don’t be discouraged! Like most difficult phases, this too shall pass.
