When the puppy moves in when it is 8-10 weeks old, there is a lot of development and phases it must go through before you have the “finished dog.” As a dog owner, it can be good to know what to expect.
8-12 weeks: Socialization phase
The puppy must learn about life with all that goes with it, from environmental training and meeting other people and dogs. Therefore, it is important that you do not shield your puppy from the world and other people. The more it is allowed to meet in a safe way, the better it will be able to handle life in the future.
13-16 weeks: Rank/Dominance Phase
The puppy will now test boundaries more and start to be more influenced by hormones. The puppy is trying to find its place in the pack, and therefore in this phase you need to show good leadership skills and guide your puppy to what is right and wrong. It may be more inclined to fight over things, and here it is important to resolve it without conflict, but instead divert and reward good behavior.
4-6 months: The puppy changes teeth
Some dogs change very quickly and you hardly notice it. Other dogs take longer, and it can cause the dog to suddenly start biting things they have never bitten before because their teeth itch. Give your dog lots of good things to chew on, such as toys, chew bones, and carrots. You can also wring out a tea towel or piece of cloth and put it in the freezer. Some dogs find relief from the itching this way.
Month 5-7: Flocking
This phase is calm, which is why your puppy is more focused and training becomes easier. Therefore, it is good to train during this phase, which will also strengthen the bond between you. But your dog is still a puppy, so there are limits to how much a puppy's brain can handle at one time.
7-10 months: Puberty phase/Teenage phase
This is the first real puberty phase in your dog, and is also the physical puberty. Your dog can change from being the sweetest, calmest dog to a mongrel overnight. But don't worry, he has just become a teenager with all that goes with selective hearing, conflicts and hormones. Bitches come into their first heat and can be very affected by it, and male dogs start to lighten their legs during this period, and can show more aggression during this period, and both sexes can become more territorial. During this phase, many dogs are rehomed, as teenage dogs are a big mouthful. But with patience and love, you can go a long way – and then you have to remember that it is a phase, and a good dog will come out on the other side.
10-17 months: The dressage period
After the first phase of sexual maturation, there is a calm period of a few months. Now your dog is almost physically developed and during this period he is very receptive to learning.
17-22 months: Mental maturation
Again, you can experience your dog going from being the best dog in the world to a mongrel. Because now it has to go through another sexual maturation – this time the psychological one. dog development phasesJust like in the teenage phase, limits are tested, and if you haven't got the basics in place earlier, this will really be a test. Because since it was a teenager, your dog has also become more adult and may have gained more self-confidence. So when a "No" used to be enough, some dogs will interpret "No" as a premise for discussion and fighting. The most important thing in this phase is again patience and to stand firm without starting a conflict. Again, it is good to divert from unwanted behavior and reward good behavior – and remember that it is just a phase and that your dog is good deep down.
2 years: The good dog
You can celebrate your dog's 2nd birthday with good reason, because now your dog has gone through all the phases it should - and you now have a calm and balanced dog, if you have done the job well. Now your dog is an adult, and you will hopefully have many good years together.
The dog's developmental stages
When the puppy moves in when it is 8-10 weeks old, there is a lot of development and phases it must go through before you have the “finished dog.” As a dog owner, it can be good to know what to expect.
8-12 weeks: Socialization phase
The puppy must learn about life with all that goes with it, from environmental training and meeting other people and dogs. Therefore, it is important that you do not shield your puppy from the world and other people. The more it is allowed to meet in a safe way, the better it will be able to handle life in the future.
13-16 weeks: Rank/Dominance Phase
The puppy will now test boundaries more and start to be more influenced by hormones. The puppy is trying to find its place in the pack, and therefore in this phase you need to show good leadership skills and guide your puppy to what is right and wrong. It may be more inclined to fight over things, and here it is important to resolve it without conflict, but instead divert and reward good behavior.
4-6 months: The puppy changes teeth
Month 5-7: Flocking
This phase is calm, which is why your puppy is more focused and training becomes easier. Therefore, it is good to train during this phase, which will also strengthen the bond between you. But your dog is still a puppy, so there are limits to how much a puppy's brain can handle at one time.
7-10 months: Puberty phase/Teenage phase
This is the first real puberty phase in your dog, and is also the physical puberty. Your dog can change from being the sweetest, calmest dog to a mongrel overnight. But don't worry, he has just become a teenager with all that goes with selective hearing, conflicts and hormones. Bitches come into their first heat and can be very affected by it, and male dogs start to lighten their legs during this period, and can show more aggression during this period, and both sexes can become more territorial. During this phase, many dogs are rehomed, as teenage dogs are a big mouthful. But with patience and love, you can go a long way – and then you have to remember that it is a phase, and a good dog will come out on the other side.
10-17 months: The dressage period
After the first phase of sexual maturation, there is a calm period of a few months. Now your dog is almost physically developed and during this period he is very receptive to learning.
17-22 months: Mental maturation
2 years: The good dog
You can celebrate your dog's 2nd birthday with good reason, because now your dog has gone through all the phases it should - and you now have a calm and balanced dog, if you have done the job well. Now your dog is an adult, and you will hopefully have many good years together.