The people @ guide dogs for the blind did an intensive study on this. They indicate that @ certain times in all puppies there is a critical period in that pup. One example to this is !@ 7 weeks the puppy goes through what they term as a fear imprint stage. They go on to say that if the puppy is scared by anything at this particular it will leave a permanent negative effect on the pup. One of the authors and researchers to this I believe was Scott. Has anyone had any personal experience with this teaching? Do you believe it to be factual?

As to a fear period in pups. I have never experienced this but some swear by it. As to the 8 - 12 week period of socialization with humans as to not get a dog too doggy. I have experienced this and believe in it. I will let the breeders on the board give their expert opinion. They have the most experience with puppies.

Scott & Fuller wrote a book called GENETICS & THE SOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF THE DOG which is still available at http://www.dogwise.com. It covers all the testng and developmental stages you are interested in. It is an excellent book. The studies in this book were the basis of the early tests developed by the guide dog schools in CA & NJ -- now I would imagine that all the guide dog schools that breed their own dogs use them.

The fear imprint period you mention does not occur until 10-12 weeks. During this time the puppy is extra-sensitive to certain things -- what they are sensitive varies with each dog and how you handle the sensitivity will make a difference in the lasting effect on the dog.

A puppy test was developed for guide dog schools based on Scott & Fuller's studies to be given at 7 weeks of age. At 7 weeks according to their findings the puppy has all of the physical equipment (fully-developed senses) necessary to test for basic drive & natural response reaction to different stress situations. It is important to point out that these are AGE-APPROPRIATE tests at 7 weeks. They are believed to give a good indication of how the puppy will develop via normal interaction with its environment (animate & inanimate) as filtered though its nervous system. IOW at 7 weeks one can see how a puppy reacts to various age-appropriate stress situations. This is considered a relieable indication of what the puppy will develop into as an adult.

I have limited experience with these puppy tests on the few litters I have produced over 15 or so years. As with most tests, they are as accurate as the ability of the tester to test and they are as accurate as the ability of the tester to interpret the test results. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> During the last 10 years since I have become interested in selectively breeding for herding ability, I have relied on these tests PLUS testing my puppies on a lamb which I learned from a shepherd in Germany. Anyone interested in this test can read about it in greater detail on my web site http://www.german-shepherdherding.com -- it is in the article THE LARGE FLOCK HERDING DOG: Puppy Selection & Foundation Building. I have found this test to be very accurate for me.