'MO - September 2008 - (Page 9)

community PET PROJECT The Fast Track: From Puppyhood to Adolescence By Julie Forbes Dogs have about one-fifth the lifespan of people, which means they pass through their developmental stages more rapidly than we do. Puppies start processing information and socializing with their littermates at three weeks of age. From three to five weeks they start developing coordination through play, and from five to eight weeks, strong social impressions take place as the little babies start playing dominance games with each other. It’s during this time that they learn social skills like bite inhibition and jaw control. As the puppies become more mobile, it is imperative to survival that they learn about fear. Eight to 11 weeks is known as the “Fear Imprint Stage” where Mother Nature imprints proper fear for survival. Equipped with the basic concept of fear, puppies from three to four months old start exploring the world apart from the pack. Their desire to check out the wonders of the world overrides their need for security at home. At four months puppies are processing information like adult dogs. They have developed short-term memory, but do not have anywhere near the attention span or maturity of an adult dog. Once he hits around six months of age, puppy has gone through an intense and fast mental and physical development. Now hormones introduce themselves. I relate puberty for dogs to puberty for humans … NOT an easy time! Adolescent dogs tend to perplex their humans, who have often spent the last four, or so, months socializing and training their puppies to understand the rules and expectations of the human world. Just as you think you’ve gotten somewhere, puberty sets in and it can seem like everything you taught your dog goes right into the poop bag. Dogs can be varying degrees of: over-reactive, dramatic, stubborn, testy, pushy and vocal. You may walk your dog into the kitchen and he suddenly jumps back at the sight of a very scary … grocery bag? You may walk your “teenage” dog down the street and she starts backing up and barking at the very threatening … telephone booth? That spookiness is typical of adolescent dogs and it is important to remember some basic tips on how to guide your dog into a stable, and well-adjusted adulthood. Remember that you are your dog’s primary role model. If your dog acts afraid of something and you immediately and frantically start saying, “It’s okay, you’re okay, it’s okay!” then you are effectively praising your dog for being afraid. Dogs don’t get the concept of comfort, so if anything, just play it off like no big deal. This may seem cold, especially to those ultra-nurturers out there (you know who you are), but your dog will find comfort in your apparent confidence and lack of reaction. Adolescent dogs often do things purely on impulse and it is our reaction that gives what they did meaning. Remember your “C-words” if ever in doubt: calm, cool, collected, confident and (in) control. Sometimes it matters less to your dogs what you do compared to how you do it. Hang in there! Right around two years of age you will notice a welcomed shift in your dog’s energy, as he is now technically an “adult.” Now it is time to benefit from all of that consistent training and diligent socialization. Enjoy! Julie is a graduate of the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Animal Science. Find her on the Web at www.SensitiveDog.com. Become a fan of ’mo magazine. ® Seattle Oct 17-2 1 Join other gay, bi, queer and trans men from around the country as we learn about our health, social issues, and community! To find out more or to register, visit www.gmhs2008.org 9 issue 19 | september 2008 moseattle.com http://www.SensitiveDog.com http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/mo-Magazine/25781270409?ref=ts http://www.gmhs2008.org http://www.moseattle.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of 'MO - September 2008

'MO - September 2008 Contents Letter From The Editor Voices Instant Activist Pet Project Legally Speaking: Starting Your Own Business EarthTalkTM: Soak Up the Sun ’mo-BIZ: Sternola-Brown Interiors HRC President Hails Biden as V.P. Pick Governor to Attend Annual GSBA Candidate Forum Form & Function: Cable Exercises Build Definition Gay City Health Project Makes a SHIFT Throw a Lifejacket Around Your Home’s Value Feature Film Review: A Jihad for Love Feature Film Review: Ghost Town, starring Ricky Gervais The Return of The Puyallup Fair Book Review: Life with My Sister Madonna by Christopher Ciccone Live Event Preview: Shrek The Musical at The 5th Avenue Feature Film Preview: Trumbo Now on DVD: Itty Bitty Titty Committee SceneOut: People@Places Capitol Hill Guide

'MO - September 2008

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