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What to Expect During Labradoodle Milestones?
Your Labradoodles puppy will mature very quickly. It can be easy to treat your puppy like a grown dog once it is six or eight months old and approaching its full size. If you start to think that way, it’s easy to be surprised or annoyed by some of its behaviours. But remember – it is still a puppy and needs guidance and training through these developmental stages, just like human children. It just won’t need it for 18 years! (Though even old dogs CAN learn new tricks.)
Puppy Toddler Period (3 – 8 weeks)
During the Toddler period, the Labradoodle puppies arrive independently from their litter. All will venture into the surrounding environment where they will have mom to care for them. The lessons they will learn in the toddler stage are very Critical. If puppies are removed from their mother too early, they will tend to be afraid, often bark continuously and tend to bite because these lessons that the mother and littermates teach were missed, which will cause the Labradoodle puppy to feel anxiety.
Training begins at three weeks of age:
- The first lessons learned are dog-specific behavioural patterns
- Puppies will learn the meanings of various postures and their effect on their mother and littermates.
- They will quickly learn how to nibble and what it is like to receive a bite.
- Puppies will soon understand what barking and other vocalizations mean.
- They will also learn social relationships with other dogs.
Beginning at five weeks of age:
- Puppies will learn Vocalization and temperament activities usually taught at approximately five weeks.
- Pups will learn how to be submissive to the pack’s leader.
- Will understand and start to sit up, vocalize and appropriate dog interaction behaviours.
Actions that the mother will take:
The mother will growl or snarl and may snap to communicate with her puppies. The young Labradoodle puppy will learn quickly with a few apparent signals and repetitions on behaviour training. A mother’s watch is needed to keep a young puppy training. Litter mates also learn quickly through communication with one another.
Socialization Stage at 7 – 12 weeks, and Puppies’ First Fear at 8 – 11 weeks old.
Puppies that are not socialized properly will become fearful and can get aggressive. It is crucial to socialize a puppy immediately. During this time, your puppy will need to begin receiving a positive experience with surroundings with children and adults. Introducing the puppy to new things like stuffed toys, balls, whistles, and different sounds will help them become well-adjusted and happy dogs as they mature.
The start of 7 weeks old:
- Puppies will have a short attention span.
- Things puppies learn are permanent but will be more challenging to change as they mature, so it’s best to train correctly from the start.
- Labradoodles are quick to learn and absorb, all like little sponges.
- All taught as a puppy will remain with him to adulthood.
- A Puppy’s temperament and personality will become more apparent as they mature.
- As a puppy matures, you will notice all the training he has received from his mother in how he interacts with children and adults.
We are starting at eight weeks old and ending at approximately eleven weeks old.
- Any trauma, painful or frightening experience can affect the puppy if not dealt with immediately.
What can you do to help a Labradoodle puppy with fears?
- The first step is gradually introducing your puppy to new things, environments and people.
- It would help if you taught them positively by providing treats or toys.
- When training a puppy, don’t place him in situations that will cause fear – instead, take training slowly to allow the puppy to adjust and get used to the problem with ease.
- When surrounded by children, do not let them push or play forcefully with the puppy keeping close attention.
- Provide a secure and comforting voice.
- Teach the puppy you are there and will protect and care for him through continuous touch, affection, love, and hugs.
Seniority Period from 12 – 16 weeks old
So, your puppy has just arrived at his new home for a few weeks. He has been observing you and his new family very closely. He is picking up on human behaviours and reactions. As the puppy follows, he will learn and eventually attempt to figure out exactly where he stands amongst his siblings in the pecking order. After all, he knows who the weaker siblings are and will try to move to the top gradually.
What happens as the puppy matures:
- He will start to question his authority.
- Puppy will slowly try to move up in the pecking order.
- He will also try and dominate others.
- I will grab a leash.
- Puppy will try to determine if activities are implemented and when.
- He may growl.
- Puppies can become over-excited when you visit.
What you can do to guide him:
- Learn how your body language works to communicate with your puppy.
- Do not play tug games during this phase.
- If a puppy becomes very loud, growls or barks at you, stop all activities you are playing with him, including ball playing, running and more.
- Be very cautious of how your puppy interacts with young children – never leave children unattended with the puppy alone.
- Schedule your puppy in training classes to redirect his energy and socialize with other dogs.
- Evaluate the whole family’s interaction with the puppy and correct all issues.
Need help with Training? Reach out to the best Cesar Millan” “The Dog Whisperer”.
If you are unfamiliar with Cesar Millan,” he is The Dog Whisperer” can be viewed on the National Geographic Society Channel. It’s a good time to get familiar with his techniques for establishing yourself as the ‘pack leader’ with calm and assertive leadership. Cesar Millan is also on the Disney plus channel, where you can view all seasons. Check out here:
https://www.disneyplus.com/series/dog-whisperer-with-cesar-millan/19HCLw7lpYqa
For more about Cesar and his sensible techniques for correcting behaviour problems, click the link below: https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-psychology/. Nothing compares to watching him in training, and I highly recommend watching the show.
Flight Instinct Period at 4 – 8 months old
So, your adorable labradoodle puppy is stuck behind your heels, following you for weeks. He knows where you are and follows you as it helps him feel safe and secure. The time has arrived to teach your puppy that he needs to stay close or come when called, and you are taking him for a walk outdoors where there is traffic. Failure to teach this will result in a puppy that will not listen to your commands and will not when you ask him to come, sit or stay close by as he matures into adulthood. If very important, the puppy learns this command as it could lead the dog into a life-and-death situation, which would be very sad.
What is happening:
- The puppy will become more independent.
- Labradoodle Puppy will ignore commands to stay close or come.
- How to handle a puppy’s refusal to come to you or to remain as it will affect when off his Leash.
- Puppies are clever and will attempt to run around loose if allowed.
What to do:
- Ensure the Labradoodle puppy’s Leash is on all the time when he is not in a confined area.
- Never have a dog in an unconfined space, as he may become lost.
- When off-leash outside of an enclosed area is for dogs that have.
- Enroll in a training class that will instill positive training.
- Ensure to continue to train your puppy with a command to come.
- Make coming to a very positive experience.
Teenage Years at 7 – 10 months old.
The teenage years are the most challenging times for a dog owner. It is shocking when the puppy turns into a devil dog. It is vital to ensure your Labradoodle puppy gets the proper training from the start in teaching them good habits. Once he’s trained, you will have your dream dog who will listen to every command. The work you put into your puppy’s training will pay off for years.
What will happen after training:
- He will become a free and independent thinker.
- He will continue to review the pack order.
- Your puppy will be very energetic.
- The puppy will be happy.
- He will be glad to learn new and fun things.
What can you do to ensure he is a happy, well-adjusted dog you can be proud of:
- Appreciate the humour.
- Understanding that despite the puppy’s behaviours, ensure that the training continues as it will help him to do better with commands you instill.
- Reaffirm the family pack order.
- Also, be realistic about your expectations, as he is still a puppy in an adult body.
- Try to channel all that energy into positive learning experiences.
- Continuing with training classes and exploring options for additional training opportunities is best to ensure his future positively.
Fears have arrived between 6 – 14 months old.
Oh no, you have a puppy that runs around the house like a clown. He refuses to go down the stairs, trembles in the car or is frightened by the sounds of music. Guess what! It is normal behaviour, but we will need to figure out what would be causing the dogs’ fears suddenly. The dog will need to learn how to face his fears with your help in facing his fears slowly. It will reduce the chances that the concern will not be permanent and part of life.
What is happening to my dog:
- Our puppy was confident and suddenly afraid to try new things.
- This time in the puppy’s life can be subtle.
- There will be fears that can come and go several times over his entire life.
- He may appear unprovoked to any occurrence.
- Your puppy can become frustrated.
- What can we do to help:
- It is best to avoid talking and responding with no anger or force; instead, be calm and positive.
- Be patient and understanding. It will go a long way in treating his fears.
- Be aware of the surroundings and potential triggers that cause the dog to fear.
- Work on gradual introductions to his concern with rewards.
- Avoid cuddling when he is in the fear mod.
- Try not to overreact or correct his worries; instead, make light of the situation and encourage him to deal with his anxiety. Working through fear will help him cope with it.
- Praise him with rewards for his attempt to release his fears.
- Your fur baby will take his clues from you, so if you act like you are afraid, he will also.
He is maturing into an Adult between 1 – 3 years old.
Your puppy is no longer a baby or fully grown in size. At this stage, they will start to develop more muscle mass. He is now a member of a pack. He will forever protect it from anyone who tries to take over with aggressive behaviour and a protective fear—when he becomes aggressive, remove him from home because of destruction. We advise you not to let your dog become spoiled; he will be happier, and so will the family.
What do these behaviours happen:
- Your dog may become protective of his belongings.
- A dog may bark at strangers entering his home.
- He will bark at many noises, such as birds and cars driving by, at everything he feels is catching his attention.
- Playing with other dogs may start a fight.
- If they are of the same sex can cause confrontation.
What can we do to stop this behaviour?
- How to greet strangers when they enter your home.
- Teach your dog to ignore other dogs that are aggressive by not walking in the same area.
- Practice reinforcing dog manners to not become aggressive in such situations.
- It would help if you researched signs when walking your dog. The first signs will be if a dog is circling in one spot, his tail is up high and is stiff, and facial appearance, as in teeth showing, are all signs that must look for to stop aggression.
- Get the family together and consult on how they all will participate in training to correct the aggression. When out for a walk and aggressive behaviours start, remove the dog from the situation by walking away.
- Always reward the dog for good behaviour; he will not forget.
- To stop this behaviour, set up dog obedience and agility classes, as it will help you learn different techniques to help your dog become more affectionate and calm.
We at Labradoodles by Cucciolini invite you to shop for everything your puppy needs for a great start, including Crates, Food, Treats, Accessories, Feeding Bowls, Health, Grooming, Training Aids and Toys!
www.barkavenuebycucciolini.ca
