· By Minou Tpain
Author: Denise Partlow
Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas
The juvenile period typically starts right after the socialization period-somewhere around 12-14 weeks up until sexual maturity. It really will depend on the breed to determine the end of the juvenile period. For example larger breeds do not reach sexual maturity until 18months of age but for smaller breeds it may be as early
as six months.
This is the time where a puppy starts to become more independent and exploratory. They begin to show a new curiosity for their surroundings. The dog who was once you’re sidekick is now ignoring you when you call him. They begin to become highly excitable and a little more difficult to manage. But luckily you have been training since the day your puppy arrived home which will make this process much easier for you.
Unfortunately, a lot of people have this misconception that training shouldn’t start until after six months of age. This is probably the biggest mistake they can make. Training is going to happen no matter whether you are involved or not. The dog will, in a sense, train himself, making it almost impossible to live with him.
During this time your pup will need a lot of guiding, consistency, structure and a strong and competent leader. It is important that you take an active role in this process. You must be patient, flexible and consistent in your training approach -we want to help our dog to continue developing confidence during this time.
It is equally important to understand what a true leader really is. For some dog owners, knowing that they must be a leader, they confuse this with being bossy and demanding. They end up making the mistake of over-correcting, being heavy-handed, or severely punishing the dog whenever it does something. This approach will leave you with a fearful dog that lacks any self-confidence.
On the contrary, others find it to be unfair to “lead” their puppy because they feel their puppy should do whatever it pleases. This too can have adverse effect on the puppy’s behavior, making it very difficult to live peacefully together.
So during this time, continue to train, play, interact and socialize your puppy in a positive manner.
