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1. Puppy gets lots of individualized love & care. They are handled daily by our 4 children, and we monitor their weight &
development.
2. They are wormed at least twice before being adopted.
3. They are given their first set of shots at 6 weeks.
4. Each puppy is micro-chipped with an Avid microchip, for their protection if they get lost.
5. They are evaluated for temperament, conformation, obedience, agility and hunting ability.
A. We try to have puppies matched with their family by 4-6 weeks and encourage families to visit our home three times.
B. We also request that a crate & towel/ blanket/ or piece of clothing are dropped off here before the puppy is 6 weeks old.
genetic problems.
9. We will gladly take our pups back at any time for any reason!!!
10. Life time Breeder support. I am just a phone call or e-mail away to ask questions or share fun moments with.
We love our puppies very much, and are committed to them for life. See the puppy contract below for more details.
development.
2. They are wormed at least twice before being adopted.
3. They are given their first set of shots at 6 weeks.
4. Each puppy is micro-chipped with an Avid microchip, for their protection if they get lost.
5. They are evaluated for temperament, conformation, obedience, agility and hunting ability.
- We use the Volhard puppy aptitude test to test their temperament. www.volhard.com
- We evaluate their confidence and boldness by seeing who will be the first to follow momma out of the whelping box.
- We evaluate their conformation using Pat Hastings Puppy Puzzle & the LRC's Illustrated Standard .
- We look to see who follows us around and is focused on people to evaluate obedience potential.
- We test their agility by seeing how quickly and how well they can climb over a 2x4, a 2x6 & stairs.
- They are exposed to birds from 6 weeks on. We evaluate their natural desire to focus on birds and retrieve drive.
A. We try to have puppies matched with their family by 4-6 weeks and encourage families to visit our home three times.
B. We also request that a crate & towel/ blanket/ or piece of clothing are dropped off here before the puppy is 6 weeks old.
- Our puppies are born in a den like environment which we call their whelping box or crate (our laundry room). We
ask that the families continue to provide the puppies with a den like environment or crate to aid preliminary house
training, to protect them from dangers and to encourage puppy manners when they go to their new homes. - The cloth and visits works with the puppy's natural sense of smell to communicate to them that your family is a part of
their pack. The first sense that they experience is smell which is 50-100 times stronger than ours.
- -AKC Limited Registration
-Avid Microchip
-2 small bags of food
-Health and development information
-Vaccination records
-NuVet Plus samples
-Coupon for Eukanuba food
-Puppy care info pamphlet
-free sample of pet insurance
genetic problems.
9. We will gladly take our pups back at any time for any reason!!!
10. Life time Breeder support. I am just a phone call or e-mail away to ask questions or share fun moments with.
We love our puppies very much, and are committed to them for life. See the puppy contract below for more details.
| Karemy Labs Puppy Care |
| Routine for Adopting a Karemy Puppy/ Dog |
1. Read Adoption Agreement-It is vital that you understand how we care for our puppies/dogs and how we expect them to be cared for
in the future in your home. Scroll down to read through it.
2. Fill out Application -If you are interested in adopting one of our pups please fill out the adoption application. We will respond usually within
24 hours to your application.
3. Pregnancy Calendar/ Web Cam - Follow the development of your puppy even before it's born. Families that have put a deposit
down on a future litter will receive a pregnancy calendar to follow along with the development of the babies. We have a web cam that will broadcast the
happenings in the whelping box so you can watch as they grow and might even catch their birth till they are about 4 weeks when we switch them out
to the kennel where they will begin using a doggy door and learn to potty outside. .
4. Kennel Visit- If you would like we then will schedule a visit to our kennel to see the parents and available puppies. If the puppies have been
born this counts as your first visit.
5. Deposit- A non-refundable deposit is required to hold a puppy till the pick up date. If a puppy of the sex or color is not in the litter then the
deposit is held till the next litter that has what you requested. The deposit is 50% of the total adoption fee (including any extra training that you request).
6. If you are on the list for a future litter, I will e-mail you a pregnancy calender for momma so you can follow the puppies'
development.I will also send pictures of momma just before she delivers. You will be notified when the puppies are born. We try to post photos
on the web each week. The web cam will be up and running when there are puppies in the whelping box so you can watch them grow.
7. Puppy visits- You are welcome to visit the pups a total of two times as they grow up till it is time to take them home.( they are not very
active before 4 weeks and it is just healthier to limit exposure to germs and disease till they are older) These visits aid in making the transition to
their new home easier by exposing them to your smell.
8. Education & Preparation- Read, read, read!! There are lots of articles on this site and others. Read about puppy development,
training and health information. Next prepare your home and family for the new arrival. It is important to make it safe and convenient for you to
so house training and basic obedience goes smoothly. We would be glad to help with any questions you have.
9. Pick up day!!- On pick up day we will go over lots of info regarding health and initial care of your puppy. Be sure to have your crate
ready to keep your puppy out of trouble when you get home and can't watch him.
10. Transition to your pack- Indulge your puppy the first 3-5 days after pick up. Just like people handle stress differently so do
puppies. It takes them usually just a few days to adjust to your home/family. Call or e-mail us if you have any questions.
11. Training starts now!! - Here at Karemy Labs our puppy preschool classes start when the puppies are 8 weeks old. Make
arrangements to attend a class right away and prevent all the problem behaviors before they start.
12. Enjoy- your new canine companion for 10-14 years on average.
in the future in your home. Scroll down to read through it.
2. Fill out Application -If you are interested in adopting one of our pups please fill out the adoption application. We will respond usually within
24 hours to your application.
3. Pregnancy Calendar/ Web Cam - Follow the development of your puppy even before it's born. Families that have put a deposit
down on a future litter will receive a pregnancy calendar to follow along with the development of the babies. We have a web cam that will broadcast the
happenings in the whelping box so you can watch as they grow and might even catch their birth till they are about 4 weeks when we switch them out
to the kennel where they will begin using a doggy door and learn to potty outside. .
4. Kennel Visit- If you would like we then will schedule a visit to our kennel to see the parents and available puppies. If the puppies have been
born this counts as your first visit.
5. Deposit- A non-refundable deposit is required to hold a puppy till the pick up date. If a puppy of the sex or color is not in the litter then the
deposit is held till the next litter that has what you requested. The deposit is 50% of the total adoption fee (including any extra training that you request).
6. If you are on the list for a future litter, I will e-mail you a pregnancy calender for momma so you can follow the puppies'
development.I will also send pictures of momma just before she delivers. You will be notified when the puppies are born. We try to post photos
on the web each week. The web cam will be up and running when there are puppies in the whelping box so you can watch them grow.
7. Puppy visits- You are welcome to visit the pups a total of two times as they grow up till it is time to take them home.( they are not very
active before 4 weeks and it is just healthier to limit exposure to germs and disease till they are older) These visits aid in making the transition to
their new home easier by exposing them to your smell.
8. Education & Preparation- Read, read, read!! There are lots of articles on this site and others. Read about puppy development,
training and health information. Next prepare your home and family for the new arrival. It is important to make it safe and convenient for you to
so house training and basic obedience goes smoothly. We would be glad to help with any questions you have.
9. Pick up day!!- On pick up day we will go over lots of info regarding health and initial care of your puppy. Be sure to have your crate
ready to keep your puppy out of trouble when you get home and can't watch him.
10. Transition to your pack- Indulge your puppy the first 3-5 days after pick up. Just like people handle stress differently so do
puppies. It takes them usually just a few days to adjust to your home/family. Call or e-mail us if you have any questions.
11. Training starts now!! - Here at Karemy Labs our puppy preschool classes start when the puppies are 8 weeks old. Make
arrangements to attend a class right away and prevent all the problem behaviors before they start.
12. Enjoy- your new canine companion for 10-14 years on average.
| ADOPTION AGREEMENT & GUARANTEE : |
| Click here to fill out our ADOPTION APPLICATION We will e-mail or call usually with in an hour. You are welcome to call or e-mail us to inquire about current availability. 253-307-1104 kathy@karemy.com |
Address: ______________________________City:_______________ State: ______Zip code ____________E-mail:_______________
The puppy/dog offered for sale is register with the AKC, and is excess breeding stock of Karemy Labs.
Puppy/dog’s Name:___________________________ Micro Chip #___________________ Sex: ___________ AKC #:_____________
Coat color: Black / Yellow / Chocolate Collar color__________ Whelped: _______________ Date of Sale:___________________
Puppy is sold with Guarantee provided the requirements are met:
Karemy Lab agrees:
- ♥That the puppy/dog to be free of genetic hip dysplasia and free of non-CERF’able eye diseases. Upon confirmation of either hip
dysplasia or eye disease by a qualified veterinarian, before the age of 30 months, this puppy will be replaced with a pup of equal value,
or a partial refund, if the pup is spayed/neutered and the purchaser wishes to keep the pup. The future of the affected pup is to be
mutually decided upon by both the Seller and Purchaser, with the pup’s welfare in mind.
♥The above named dog has received the first of its series of inoculations for infectious disease and has been treated for parasites.
♥The above named dog is functionally sound.
ACCIDENTS AND OTHER ILLNESSES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS GUARANTEE.
The New Owner guarantees that:
♥A safe environment shall be provided for the above named dog to include a fenced yard or kennel, shelter from weather if the dog is
housed outside, adequate food and water, adequate socialization with people and other dogs.
♥The above named dog shall successfully complete some form of puppy obedience training by six months of age.
♥The dog shall not be allowed to run loose without supervision.
♥The dog shall be seen by a veterinarian within 72 hours of the puppy pick up date for a general health check. The puppy can be
returned for a full refund within the 72 hours, if the vet finds a health problem.
♥The Purchaser is responsible for completing the series of inoculations, and yearly boosters.
♥Purchaser assumes full responsibility for the health care of the above named dog immediately upon receipt.
♥Purchaser agrees that the dog/ puppy not be spayed or neutered before 12-14 months.
♥The above named dog has been placed on Limited Registration until proof of OFA Hip, elbow & CERF eye certification at which
time, limited may be removed. And purchaser also agreed that it will only be bred to dogs with the same qualifications.
♥If the Limited registrations is removed and the dog is used for breeding the purchaser agrees that Limited Registration will also be used
for all offspring.
♥ Because of the variety and quality of dog foods available, and all canine illnesses are NOT covered by vaccinations or health
screenings, we require that all Karemy dogs/ puppies continue to take “Nu-Vet Plus Canine” supplement. This is to keep their immune
system strong and prevent illness. This nutritional supplement is only available through veterinarian or breeder recommendation, so we
receive a monthly report of who is receiving this product. We reserve the right to void this health guarantee if you choose not to keep
this dog/ puppy on “Nu-Vet Plus Canine”
♥If for any reason the New Owner is unable to care for the above named dog, THE DOG MUST BE RETURNED TO THE
BREEDER or the breeder must be contacted if the above named dog is given or sold to another party other than the breeder. Resale
of this dog will terminate the terms of this contract. The breeder will possibly transfer this guarantee to the new owners if they fill out a
adoption application and are approved by the breeder. The breeder is not obligated to transfer the guarantee.
♥If the dog is returned to the breeder ownership must be transferred to the Breeder at time of return.
♥The New Owner understands that the Breeder will try to recoup some of the New Owner's original purchase price, but NO
MONETARY REIMBURSEMENT IS IMPLIED OR GUARANTEED. The ultimate goal will be a suitable home for the above
named dog.
- THIS GUARANTEE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE WITHOUT BREEDERS' WRITTEN CONSENT.
Breeder’s Signature_______________________________________ Date:______________________
Purchaser’s Signature______________________________________Date:______________________ Indul
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Karemy Labs Phone # 253-307-1104 Kathy@Karemy.com |
Adopting a Karemy puppy is not the normal puppy adoption experience. We are very family focused and try to
be the kind of Kennel that cares about the puppies & families that come into our lives. Adopting a puppy is a
10+ year commitment. Our goal is to make the adoption process as smooth and stress free as possible for the
puppies and the families that will be adopting them. We do this by offering very personalized service and
attention to details that you should expect from adopting a new family member. That is why we offer 2 free
days of boarding and 2 free training classes. Please scroll down this page to learn more about our routine. If
you are interested in adopting a Karemy puppy please fill out the adoption application at the bottom of this
page. We are now offering training with each puppy see our training page!! Click here to learn more about
our AKC Star Puppy Training Class
be the kind of Kennel that cares about the puppies & families that come into our lives. Adopting a puppy is a
10+ year commitment. Our goal is to make the adoption process as smooth and stress free as possible for the
puppies and the families that will be adopting them. We do this by offering very personalized service and
attention to details that you should expect from adopting a new family member. That is why we offer 2 free
days of boarding and 2 free training classes. Please scroll down this page to learn more about our routine. If
you are interested in adopting a Karemy puppy please fill out the adoption application at the bottom of this
page. We are now offering training with each puppy see our training page!! Click here to learn more about
our AKC Star Puppy Training Class
| Puppy development |
NEONATAL PERIOD
(Birth to 12 Days)
The Neonatal Period, from birth to 12 days of age, is devoted to two functions: obtaining nutrition by nursing, and staying warm.
A puppy is not physically self-sufficient when he is born. He needs the warmth of his environment to control his body temperature. He needs
physical stimulation to urinate and defecate. He has neither sight nor hearing, and is deficient in his senses of smell taste and touch. He reacts to hot
and cold, and to some extent to pain. He also reacts to the smell of mother.
He moves by crawling forward in a circular pattern, moving his head from side to side in an attempt to locate mother. He may vocalize while he's
searching, which stimulates mother to nuzzle him and let him know where she is.
The environment affects him only inasmuch as it touches him. While the puppy grows rapidly in size and strength during this period, his behavior
patterns remain virtually the same throughout. EEG's taken during the Neonatal Period show no difference between the puppy's brain waves when
he is asleep and when he is awake.
TRANSITION PERIOD
(13 Days to 20 Days)
The Transition Period is from 13 to 20 Days and is marked by a number of physical changes in the puppy. At the beginning of this period, the
puppy's eyes will open, at an average of 13 days. While his pupils will react to light, the retina is still undeveloped, and he is unable to see objects
or movement until around 21 days of age.
The puppy will begin to crawl backward as well as forward, and a few days later he will begin to walk in a wobbly fashion, falling as often as he
takes steps forward. Once he starts walking, the puppy no longer crawls. The first teeth erupt at around 20 days, and he begins to bite and chew.
Tail wagging also begins during this period, indicating that tail wagging is not reliant upon seeing and hearing, since he cannot yet see or hear.
He begins to react to sounds at an average of 19.5 days, when he startles at a noise, but is unable to locate the source of the sound.
This critical period is one of rapid physical changes. Over a period of just a week, the puppy has changed from a Neonate who cannot hear, walk,
move his bowels without stimulation, keep warm by himself or eat other than by sucking, into a puppy who can do all these things.
AWARENESS PERIOD
(21 to 28 Days)
The Awareness Period is from 21 to 28 Days. This is the first week during which the puppy is able to use his senses of sight and hearing. Because
the change in his sensory perceptions happens so abruptly, over a 24-hour period in most puppies, he needs a stable environment. Now he has the
greatest need for his mother and for a familiar environment. Weaning or moving the litter to a new location at this time in all likelihood will
psychologically scar the puppies.
Learning begins during the Awareness Period. It is the time in the puppy's life when he learns what it is to be a dog.
CANINE SOCIALIZATION PERIOD
(21 to 49 Days)
The period from 21 to 49 Days, or three to seven weeks is the Canine Socialization Period, when the puppy learns to use the species - specific
behaviors that make him a dog.
To reach his genetic potential, the puppy must stay in the nest with his mother and littermates throughout this time. During this period he will
practice body postures, facial expressions and vocalizations, and learns their effects on his siblings, mother and any other dogs he meets. He learns
how it sounds to bark and be barked at; how it feels to bite and be bitten.
He learns the various behaviors that make him a dog: chase games - imitating the chase necessary to catch and bring down game - teach him
coordination and timing; greeting behavior teaches him the body postures of greeting; fight games teach him the use of his body, body postures and
expressions to elicit various responses. For example, during play, when a fight might begin, the puppy learns that a submissive body posture has
the effect of turning off the aggression of his littermate.
During this critical period, the puppy learns one of the most important lessons of his life - to accept discipline. He learns it from his mother, who
through discipline teaches the puppies not to bite so hard, or, during the weaning process, to leave her alone.
HUMAN SOCIALIZATION PERIOD
(7 to 12 weeks)
The best time to bring a puppy into its new home is during the Human Socialization Period, from 50 to 84 days, or seven to twelve weeks. It is
also the best time to introduce him to those things that will play a role in his future life. For example, if he has not already been exposed to farm
animals and it is necessary for him to interact peacefully with them, it is at this age that he should meet them in a positive, non-threatening manner. If
the breeder has not already introduced him to the sounds of the vacuum cleaner, car engines and city traffic, he needs to be exposed to these now.
Children, men with beards, women in floppy hats, and senior citizens while all people to us, appear different to the dog. His education and
socialization should include exposure to many types of people of all ages.
At seven weeks of age, a puppy's EEG shows the brain waves are the same as those of an adult dog. His capacity for concentration is not yet
adult and his attention span is short. However, he can learn. Not only can a young puppy learn, he will learn whether we teach him or not. This is
the age when the most rapid learning occurs. Everything he experiences makes a greater impression on him now than it ever will again. Learning at
this age is permanent.
Because of the relative ease of teaching at this age, because the puppy has not yet learned any bad habits that will later have to be cured, and
because the puppy is just a fraction of his adult size and weight, this is the ideal time to begin obedience training in a positive, non-punitive manner,
taking into account his physical limitations and short attention span.
FEAR IMPACT PERIOD
(8-11 Weeks)
During the Fear Impact Period, from eight to eleven weeks, any traumatic, painful, or frightening experience will have a more lasting impact on the
puppy than if it had occurred at any other time. It is the puppy's perception of the experience that is important, not that of the owner.
For example, a trip to the animal hospital during this period, if unpleasant, could forever make a dog apprehensive about going to the veterinarian.
By taking along a toy and some treats and making the experience pleasant and fun, the potentially negative impact is alleviated.
SENIORITY CLASSIFICATION PERIOD
(13 to 16 Weeks)
This critical period, from thirteen to sixteen weeks, is also known as the "Age of Cutting" - cutting teeth and cutting the apron strings.
During the Seniority Classification Period, the dog attempts to clarify and resolve the question of leadership.
FLIGHT INSTINCT PERIOD
(4 to 8 Months)
The Flight Instinct Period occurs sometime between four and eight months of age. This is the time when a puppy will test his wings. He will venture
off on his own and may turn a deaf ear when called.
The Flight Instinct Period lasts from a few days to several weeks. How the dog is handled during this stage will mean the difference between a dog
that doesn't come when called and one who responds readily. Because most dog owners are not aware of this naturally occurring developmental
stage, they react incorrectly, thereby creating a problem for themselves.
This emergence of the Flight Instinct is another reason for starting puppies in obedience class before this age.
There is a physiological change that corresponds with the Flight Instinct Period - teething. While the adult teeth come through the gums prior to six
moths of age, they don't set in the jaw until between six and ten months. There is a physiological need for him to exercise his mouth at this time.
SECOND FEAR IMPACT PERIOD
(6 to 14 Months)
This Fear Impact Period, also called the Fear of New Situations Period, is not as well defined as the first. The Second Fear Impact Period
corresponds with growth spurts. Hence, it may occur more than once as the dog matures.
What marks the Second Fear Impact Period is a change in the behavior of the now adolescent dog. He may suddenly be reluctant to approach
something new, or be frightened of something or someone familiar. When a dog is exhibiting fear or reluctance, he should not be forced into a
confrontation, bullied into being brave, or reinforced in his fear through soothing tones and petting. Force can frighten the dog further, and soothing
tones only serve to encourage his fear.
His fear should be handled with patience and kindness. The dog is permitted to work it out for himself without being forced to deal with something
he perceives as dangerous. Training during this period puts the dog in a position of success, so his self-confidence will be built up.
MATURITY
(1 to 4 Years)
Many breeds, particularly the giant breeds, continue growing and physically changing beyond four years of age, so maturity refers to sexual
maturity rather than full growth. For the average dog, maturity occurs sometime between one and a half and three years of age, with small dogs
maturing earlier and giant dogs maturing later. This critical period is often marked by an increase in aggression and by a renewed testing for
leadership.
© Joachim Volhard and Gail Tamases Fischer
From TEACHING DOG OBEDIENCE by Joachim Volhard and Gail Tamases Fischer
Web Site http://lowchensaustralia.com/breeding/pupstages.htm
(Birth to 12 Days)
The Neonatal Period, from birth to 12 days of age, is devoted to two functions: obtaining nutrition by nursing, and staying warm.
A puppy is not physically self-sufficient when he is born. He needs the warmth of his environment to control his body temperature. He needs
physical stimulation to urinate and defecate. He has neither sight nor hearing, and is deficient in his senses of smell taste and touch. He reacts to hot
and cold, and to some extent to pain. He also reacts to the smell of mother.
He moves by crawling forward in a circular pattern, moving his head from side to side in an attempt to locate mother. He may vocalize while he's
searching, which stimulates mother to nuzzle him and let him know where she is.
The environment affects him only inasmuch as it touches him. While the puppy grows rapidly in size and strength during this period, his behavior
patterns remain virtually the same throughout. EEG's taken during the Neonatal Period show no difference between the puppy's brain waves when
he is asleep and when he is awake.
TRANSITION PERIOD
(13 Days to 20 Days)
The Transition Period is from 13 to 20 Days and is marked by a number of physical changes in the puppy. At the beginning of this period, the
puppy's eyes will open, at an average of 13 days. While his pupils will react to light, the retina is still undeveloped, and he is unable to see objects
or movement until around 21 days of age.
The puppy will begin to crawl backward as well as forward, and a few days later he will begin to walk in a wobbly fashion, falling as often as he
takes steps forward. Once he starts walking, the puppy no longer crawls. The first teeth erupt at around 20 days, and he begins to bite and chew.
Tail wagging also begins during this period, indicating that tail wagging is not reliant upon seeing and hearing, since he cannot yet see or hear.
He begins to react to sounds at an average of 19.5 days, when he startles at a noise, but is unable to locate the source of the sound.
This critical period is one of rapid physical changes. Over a period of just a week, the puppy has changed from a Neonate who cannot hear, walk,
move his bowels without stimulation, keep warm by himself or eat other than by sucking, into a puppy who can do all these things.
AWARENESS PERIOD
(21 to 28 Days)
The Awareness Period is from 21 to 28 Days. This is the first week during which the puppy is able to use his senses of sight and hearing. Because
the change in his sensory perceptions happens so abruptly, over a 24-hour period in most puppies, he needs a stable environment. Now he has the
greatest need for his mother and for a familiar environment. Weaning or moving the litter to a new location at this time in all likelihood will
psychologically scar the puppies.
Learning begins during the Awareness Period. It is the time in the puppy's life when he learns what it is to be a dog.
CANINE SOCIALIZATION PERIOD
(21 to 49 Days)
The period from 21 to 49 Days, or three to seven weeks is the Canine Socialization Period, when the puppy learns to use the species - specific
behaviors that make him a dog.
To reach his genetic potential, the puppy must stay in the nest with his mother and littermates throughout this time. During this period he will
practice body postures, facial expressions and vocalizations, and learns their effects on his siblings, mother and any other dogs he meets. He learns
how it sounds to bark and be barked at; how it feels to bite and be bitten.
He learns the various behaviors that make him a dog: chase games - imitating the chase necessary to catch and bring down game - teach him
coordination and timing; greeting behavior teaches him the body postures of greeting; fight games teach him the use of his body, body postures and
expressions to elicit various responses. For example, during play, when a fight might begin, the puppy learns that a submissive body posture has
the effect of turning off the aggression of his littermate.
During this critical period, the puppy learns one of the most important lessons of his life - to accept discipline. He learns it from his mother, who
through discipline teaches the puppies not to bite so hard, or, during the weaning process, to leave her alone.
HUMAN SOCIALIZATION PERIOD
(7 to 12 weeks)
The best time to bring a puppy into its new home is during the Human Socialization Period, from 50 to 84 days, or seven to twelve weeks. It is
also the best time to introduce him to those things that will play a role in his future life. For example, if he has not already been exposed to farm
animals and it is necessary for him to interact peacefully with them, it is at this age that he should meet them in a positive, non-threatening manner. If
the breeder has not already introduced him to the sounds of the vacuum cleaner, car engines and city traffic, he needs to be exposed to these now.
Children, men with beards, women in floppy hats, and senior citizens while all people to us, appear different to the dog. His education and
socialization should include exposure to many types of people of all ages.
At seven weeks of age, a puppy's EEG shows the brain waves are the same as those of an adult dog. His capacity for concentration is not yet
adult and his attention span is short. However, he can learn. Not only can a young puppy learn, he will learn whether we teach him or not. This is
the age when the most rapid learning occurs. Everything he experiences makes a greater impression on him now than it ever will again. Learning at
this age is permanent.
Because of the relative ease of teaching at this age, because the puppy has not yet learned any bad habits that will later have to be cured, and
because the puppy is just a fraction of his adult size and weight, this is the ideal time to begin obedience training in a positive, non-punitive manner,
taking into account his physical limitations and short attention span.
FEAR IMPACT PERIOD
(8-11 Weeks)
During the Fear Impact Period, from eight to eleven weeks, any traumatic, painful, or frightening experience will have a more lasting impact on the
puppy than if it had occurred at any other time. It is the puppy's perception of the experience that is important, not that of the owner.
For example, a trip to the animal hospital during this period, if unpleasant, could forever make a dog apprehensive about going to the veterinarian.
By taking along a toy and some treats and making the experience pleasant and fun, the potentially negative impact is alleviated.
SENIORITY CLASSIFICATION PERIOD
(13 to 16 Weeks)
This critical period, from thirteen to sixteen weeks, is also known as the "Age of Cutting" - cutting teeth and cutting the apron strings.
During the Seniority Classification Period, the dog attempts to clarify and resolve the question of leadership.
FLIGHT INSTINCT PERIOD
(4 to 8 Months)
The Flight Instinct Period occurs sometime between four and eight months of age. This is the time when a puppy will test his wings. He will venture
off on his own and may turn a deaf ear when called.
The Flight Instinct Period lasts from a few days to several weeks. How the dog is handled during this stage will mean the difference between a dog
that doesn't come when called and one who responds readily. Because most dog owners are not aware of this naturally occurring developmental
stage, they react incorrectly, thereby creating a problem for themselves.
This emergence of the Flight Instinct is another reason for starting puppies in obedience class before this age.
There is a physiological change that corresponds with the Flight Instinct Period - teething. While the adult teeth come through the gums prior to six
moths of age, they don't set in the jaw until between six and ten months. There is a physiological need for him to exercise his mouth at this time.
SECOND FEAR IMPACT PERIOD
(6 to 14 Months)
This Fear Impact Period, also called the Fear of New Situations Period, is not as well defined as the first. The Second Fear Impact Period
corresponds with growth spurts. Hence, it may occur more than once as the dog matures.
What marks the Second Fear Impact Period is a change in the behavior of the now adolescent dog. He may suddenly be reluctant to approach
something new, or be frightened of something or someone familiar. When a dog is exhibiting fear or reluctance, he should not be forced into a
confrontation, bullied into being brave, or reinforced in his fear through soothing tones and petting. Force can frighten the dog further, and soothing
tones only serve to encourage his fear.
His fear should be handled with patience and kindness. The dog is permitted to work it out for himself without being forced to deal with something
he perceives as dangerous. Training during this period puts the dog in a position of success, so his self-confidence will be built up.
MATURITY
(1 to 4 Years)
Many breeds, particularly the giant breeds, continue growing and physically changing beyond four years of age, so maturity refers to sexual
maturity rather than full growth. For the average dog, maturity occurs sometime between one and a half and three years of age, with small dogs
maturing earlier and giant dogs maturing later. This critical period is often marked by an increase in aggression and by a renewed testing for
leadership.
© Joachim Volhard and Gail Tamases Fischer
From TEACHING DOG OBEDIENCE by Joachim Volhard and Gail Tamases Fischer
Web Site http://lowchensaustralia.com/breeding/pupstages.htm
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