The 5 Critical Periods - #5

The first 18 months are the most critical for your puppy. The lessons learned during this year and a half will help set the temperament, disposition and behavior of your puppy for years to come. Here is the fifth and final age-level period and some helpful tips regarding development.

13 through 16 Weeks & Beyond

Basic Needs: Love, attention, discipline, socialization, security.

Mental Capacity: Fully developed needing only more experience. Body continues to grow. Still impressionable.

Trainability: Capable of doing obedience training and will develop positive/negative attitudes toward training.

Special Notes: Continue to keep it positive and fun.

Your puppy becomes less fearful while being more curious and independent. As her/his social skills continue to develop, your puppy's personality traits become much more prominent. They will still need meaningful praise and feedback.

Obedience classes

Around 16 weeks your puppy will be ready for formal training in obedience classes. Many trainers offer "Puppy" classes that may be helpful in learning some basic behaviors, but around 4 to 6 months is the perfect time to enroll in formal Obedience classes. These are much more structured with more complex tasks, and they give the dogs a time to learn alongside and from other dogs. And, it is really helpful for us owners, both to realize we are not alone in some of our puppy issues and get some helpful tips on training.

Golden Retrievers were originally bred to be work dogs. They will LOVE 'working' at obedience classes and practicing at home. It became a very special time for us and has reaped great rewards in terms of behavior at home and in public.

The Greater Houston Golden Retriever Club has a listing of reputable dog clubs and training facilities on their website. Click HERE and scroll down.

If you are not in the Houston area, search out the Golden Retriever or other Retriever clubs in your area. They will know the best trainers and groups to join.

From here on

Between 6 and 12 months (very similar to human teenagers, lol) pups are still restless, get bored easily, and are looking for adventures. You can expect some misbehaving and testing of boundaries, so continue working with behavior in training. They also mature sexually during this time, including a female's first heat.

Your puppy will continue to grow physically, reaching 'adulthood' around 18 months. They may act like a puppy for some time still, but each dog will mature at different rates.

The Five Critical Periods Chart.pdf

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