I recently heard someone talking about gsd's and "fear stages". Is there any such thing and if so can anyone explain it in alittle more detail?
Thanks

I dont believe in this 'fear stage" myth. I personally think it originated because of avoidence issues that came up as a result of poor handling of the pups.

I think Ed's right on here, "fear stages" definitely stem from handler mistakes and peoples tendency to anthropomorphize their animals. This of course assumes that you have a sound healthy dog and not a nerve bag to begin with, because there is obviously a genetic component to fearful nervy dogs, but I think in the majority of cases these issues are projected on dogs by their owners.

I'll agree. Up to this point, 10 mths, our current pooch hasn't experienced any noticeable "fear stages". Any of our other dogs haven't either.


Kurt

In the older 1st edition of "How to be your dog's best friend," The Monks of New Skete refer to a period of fear and avoidance which they say occurs between 8 and 11 weeks, where a confident pup will act shy for 3-5 days, and during which, incidents of firecrackers,thunder, or more unfortunate incidents of other dogs being agressive are likely to have a more lasting effect than if occurring outside this period. Can't say I've ever seen it, but have very limited experience with pups.
This may have been what was spoken of, but for most, this
has long passed, and unconsidered at that age.

Consider the source here - The Monks of New Skeet are not people I would look to for guidence on dog behavioror breeding GSD's. In fact I have a certain disdain for them - they breed crappy dogs with no drive and sell mediocure to dog books on the strength of their religion - maybe their dogs have a Fear Stage because the people who follow their advice screw their dogs up.

Yes, this is the same source that touts the alpha roll as a basic tool. My point here was to indicate where the idea came from, and to point out it is something that is said to occur in a very young pup, 8-11 weeks, so likely not something to occur in an older pup...IF it is ever likely, as I've never seen it. If it doesn't ring true for you, after seeing as many pups as you have Ed, then it might be they were simply mis-interptreting the reaction to their rollovers! I would think any pup might react a bit spookier after being rolled. I'm not touting their techniques, only describing the source of this theory of some period of fear and avoidance.

I had always thought pups went through 'fear stages' as well, one between 8 and 12 weeks, and the other at around 4 months old. Here is some information I was able to find about it when I did a yahoo search for "fear stages" puppy:

http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/452767/Main/77687


...As research from Hampshire College's Dr. Ray Coppinger and his students has shown, puppies enter fear stages at different ages depending on breed, litter, and perhaps lineage. Comparing Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd puppies, they discovered that Labrador Retrievers entered the fear stage around twelve weeks, German Shepherds at four. The more a pup is exposed to new experiences before the onset of fear, the less fearful of new encounters s/he will be. This finding shows that some puppies will require more early life encounters than previously believed. Remedial work is certainly possible, but requires patience, time, guidance, and many, many treats. - http://www.recorder.com/Special%20Sections/Pets/petspage16.htm


Puppies do go through fear stages at something like 8 and 9 weeks. They aren't a big deal most of the time, the puppies just seem to freak out about things that they have always been alright with before. As long as nobody coddles them and tells them that their fears are "alright" and that they're a "good puppy" for being afraid there shouldn't be any problems. Some breeders don't send puppies to new homes till after this fear period (there are actually several fear periods while the puppy is growing up) just so that the owners don't have a chance to coddle the puppy and enforce the fears, which will then stay with the puppy for life. - http://www.nopuppymills.com/forum/showpost.php?p=53420&postcount=4


...There is a fear imprint period from 8 - 11 weeks. During this time, any traumatic, painful or frightening experiences will have a more lasting impact on your pup than they would if they occurred at any other time. An unpleasant trip to the veterinarian, for instance, at this time could forever make your dog apprehensive about vets. To avoid this, take some treats and a toy with you. While you wait, play with your puppy and offer him treats. Have your vet give your puppy treats along with lots of praise and petting before and after the examination. Avoid elective surgeries, such as ear-cropping and hernia repair during this time. In general, avoid stressful situations. Remember, dogs are social animals. - http://www.doberman.org/articles/puppy.htm


...Between eight and 12 weeks, is the most impressionable stage in a pup's life. I refer to it as the imprinting stage, others call it the socialization or the fear stage. Everything a pup experiences during this period will set the stage for life. The pup should experience everything that life has to offer but in a manner where the pup learns confidence, not fear or aggression. Allowing the pup to play with other dogs and to be tousled about by adult dogs should be supervised. If a pup is exposed to loud noises, dogs, or children and reacts fearfully, the pup will hang on to that experience into adulthood. All experiences should be controlled and positive. Coddling and soothing a pup during this stage can create an insecure dog. - http://www.nsnews.com/issues99/w100499/pets.html


PS - The Monks of New Skete do not recommend alpha rolls anymore.

I have not read the older Monk's book but the new version does not mention any "fear stage" and they reverse their position on the alpha role. Would I recommend their book to a sport trainer? Absolutely not, but for the average soccer mom I think their book and methods are a lot better that most of the purely positive clicker BS that lines the bookstore shelves.