Dog stages have amazing similarities to the stages that of a baby, however, the time frame in a dog's life progresses at a much faster rate than that of a human.
Puppies are growing animals. When they are young, they learn fast and much of what is learned has a lasting impact. All dogs, regardless of breed, pass through various stages as they grow and develop, physically, mentally, and psychologically. Psychologists use the term critical period to describe a specific time in a dog's life when certain experiences have a lasting effect upon their psychological development. Understanding these critical periods and a dog's stages of development will better help you to understand your dog's behavior and how to handle him during these special times. Additionally, puppies benefit greatly when their owners understand their development.
A Westchester K-9 dog trainer can help in all stages of a dog’s life. We work on leash training, training puppies, housebreaking, dog biting, dog obedience and other dog problems no matter what age your dog is. A German Shepherd Dog may act differently from a terrier in each of these stages so be sure to get the best dog training advice from a Westchester K-9 professional dog trainer.
In this section is a cursory look at some of the behavioral changes that often occur during puppy hood, adolescence, and early adulthood. Other problems may arise at these stages which are not the result of the developmental period itself, but are caused by something in the environment or the dog's basic personality. Even so, they are probably aggravated by immaturity and you cannot afford to overlook them. Understanding, training, and perhaps professional help with training are the keys to success. All dogs are different. Some will not exhibit the behaviors we have discussed and others will pass through them at varying rates with smaller dogs maturing faster than large dogs. Remember that your dog needs you to play a role in his development and you can do that with knowledge and commitment to training.
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