Puppy Development - "I'm Afraid Of Everything' stage

We often get asked why we don't send Havanese to their adoptive homes until minimum 10 weeks of age. 

Experts feel that the time between 8 to 10 weeks to be the most important time for puppies as they continue to learn behaviors and manners that will affect them in later years. One should NEVER isolate puppies from humans during this critical age.

 

The reason is the pups enter the “I’m Afraid of Everything” stage that begins around 8 weeks and lasts to about 3 months. It's often a time of by rapid learning as well as a “fearful period” that usually pops up at around 8 to 10 weeks. Not all dogs experience this, but most do, and they’ll appear terrified over things that they took in stride before. With a Havanese, you should never engage in harsh discipline, loud voices or traumatic events. Sending an un-socialized puppy to their new home is very traumatic.

We have been very diligent in socializing the puppies by having people come to our homes. Over the next few weeks, we'll be taking the puppies out for visits. The vet is probably one of the first outings they will have and this Thursday afternoon is their first set of shots and micro-chipping.

After they have their vaccinations, we'll start taking the pups for short car rides to pet stores, offices and friends homes to expand their social circles. Positive experiences is very important so we'll be sure to bring along some liver treats!

 

Development of the puppies bladders and bowels are going to be more evident and the puppies will start to have much better control - thank goodness!!! Pretty soon they'll be able to sleep through the night without getting up half-way. Now just to convince me to get up earlier to take them outside for their am piddle and bm. 

 

We can begin teaching simple commands like: come, off, and leash training will begin. I prefer clicker training so I won't teach sit, stay, using voice commands. Only by expectations and reward the desired result. Visitors to the house will start engaging in the training by playing the 'Come' game. A solid RECALL is one of the MOST important skills your dog will EVER need and it starts at this tender age.

 

With all the training and socializing we have been exposing our puppies to, you can expect your Seda Havanese puppy to take this next stage in stride!!