Zero to three weeks — neonatal
Puppies are neurologically immature but not inert. Gentle early neurological stimulation, thermal variation and handling produce measurable improvements in stress tolerance later in life. Our breeders document this work daily.
Three to eight weeks — socialisation begins
This is the period of fastest social learning. Puppies meet novel surfaces, sounds, objects, people and safe adult dogs in short, positive sessions. Bite inhibition is learned from littermates, which is why we never allow early separation.
Eight to sixteen weeks — the critical window
Your puppy arrives during this window and what you do with it matters enormously. Exposure should be broad but graded: towns, traffic, stairs, lifts, vet visits, grooming, car travel and crate work, each kept short and successful. A fear period typically appears around eight to eleven weeks, so avoid overwhelming experiences.
Foundation training also begins here — marker charging, name response, engagement games, food and toy drive building, and the beginnings of a settle.
- Five short exposure sessions per week beats one long outing
- End every session while the puppy still wants more
- Build the crate and settle habit from day one
- Feed most meals through training rather than a bowl
Four to eight months — juvenile
Drive becomes obvious and so does testing behaviour. Keep criteria clear, keep exercise controlled to protect growing joints, and continue neutrality work in public. A second fear period often appears around six months; respond with patience, not pressure.
Eight to twenty-four months — adolescence and maturity
Adolescence brings hormonal change, boundary testing and, in protection breeds, the emergence of defensive drive. This is where structure, fair training and consistency pay off. Serious protection work begins only once the dog is physically mature and mentally settled.