0 to 8 Weeks
Neonatal, Transition, Awareness, and Canine Socialisation.                                                                                 Puppy is with mother and littermates up to seven weeks . During this period,                                                      your puppy learns about social interaction, play, and inhibiting aggression from                                                        its mother and litter mates. Puppies must stay with their mother and littermates                                            through this critical period.  As the puppies learn the most important lesson in                                                       their lives, they  learn to accept discipline. It is at this time that they also learn                                                     not to toilet in the nest.

     1 to 16 Weeks
Human Socialisation Period.                                                                                                                                      The best time to take a puppy                                           home is 7 weeks then you have nine whole weeks to work with the dog over this                                                incredibly important period. The puppy now has the brain waves of an adult dog,                                              but his attention span is short. This period is when the most rapid learning occurs.                                                Learning at this age is permanent so this is a perfect time to start training, but make                                          it fun. This is also the time to introduce the puppy to things that will play an important part in his life. Different people, places, animals, hoovers, washing machines and unusual sounds, in a positive, non-threatening way.

     8 to 10 / 12 Weeks
Fear Imprint Period.                                                                                                                                                         Whilst the Pup is going through human socialisation is will also go through an important                                    fear/hazard avoidance period. Avoid frightening the puppy during this period. Any                                            traumatic, frightening or painful experience will have a more lasting effect on the puppy                                         than if it occurred at any other time in its life. This is the period that if you do not handle                                          it correctly will give your dog a lasting fear of traffic and other frightening noises. Never                                  ever praise or sympathise with your pup when it is showing fear. This only serves to confirm the fear.

     13 to 16 Weeks
Seniority Classification Period.                                                                                                                                Puppy starts to cut teeth and apron strings! Puppy begins testing its position in the family                                        unit. You must discourage all biting; the dog should have started to learn and understand                                   bite inhibition by this time! It is important that you are a strong and consistent leader. The                                period between 0 and 16 weeks is the most important period in your dog’s life. He will learn                             more during that short space of time than at any other time in his life. Other windows of                                   opportunity for learning will open during your dog’s life. However, what you see at 16 weeks                           without extensive training and behavioural modification is about what you are going to get                    as              as an adult. Therefore, work hard on giving your pet the best start in life.

     4 to 8 Months
Play Instinct Period. Flight Instinct Period.                                                                                                              Puppy may wander and                                ignore you. It is very important that you keep the puppy on a leash at this time! The way that                                you handle your pup at this time determines if he will come to you when called. At about                                  4-1/2 months, your puppy loses his milk teeth and gets his adult teeth. That's when he begins                                 serious chewing! A dog's teeth don't set in his jaw until between 6 /10 months. During this                                     time, the puppy has a physical need to exercise his mouth by chewing. Training must continue                               through this period or all your good work may revert back to stage one. Occasionally the                                  puppy will start to urinate in the house again if this happens, just go back to basic toilet training.

     6 to 14 Months
Second Fear Imprint Period or Fear of New Situations Period.                                                                                  Dog again shows fear of new situations and even familiar situations.                                                                    Dog may be reluctant to approach someone or something new. It is                                                               important that you are patient and act very matter of fact in these                                                                   situations. Never force the dog to face the situation. DO NOT pet                                                                               the frightened puppy or talk in soothing tones. The puppy will                                                                               interpret such responses as praise for being frightened. Training                                                                                 will help improve the dog's confidence. This fear period is normally more marked in male dogs.

     1 to 4 Years
Maturity Period.                                                                                                                                                              You may encounter some increased aggression and renewed testing for position                                                      and authority however if you have spent lots of time with your dog and trained                                              consistently and regularly, then this should not present itself as a problem - in fact                                                   you may hardly notice this change, it is just something to keep in mind. Continue to                                                train your dog during this period. It is possible that your dog may have another fear                                           period between 12 - 16 months of age.