Emma had always dreamed of having a dog. Growing up, her family had never owned one, but she imagined long walks, soft fur against her cheek, and the unconditional love that only a dog can give. When she finally stepped into the shelter that day, her heart pounded with excitement.
Puppies tumbled over each other with tails wagging, but in the corner sat a small golden retriever. Her brown eyes met Emma’s as she knelt, stretching her fingers through the kennel bars. The little pup slowly stepped forward and licked Emma’s hand.
“That’s Bailey,” the shelter worker said softly.” Emma didn’t need to think twice. Bailey was hers.
Bringing Bailey home felt like falling in love—joyful, overwhelming, and a little terrifying. During the day, Bailey followed her everywhere. She played, she learned, she snuggled against Emma on the couch.
For the first couple of weeks, she eagerly greeted visitors and approached new experiences with curiosity. But then, at ten weeks old, her behaviour changed.
Bailey, who had eagerly greeted Emma’s friends just days before, now hid behind her legs when visitors arrived. On walks, she cowered at passing cars and barked at trash cans and bicycles.
Emma’s heart sank. Had she done something wrong?
After some research, Emma found the answer. Bailey was in her first fear period, which typically occurs between eight and 11 weeks of age. Puppies at this stage are learning about the world, and their developing brains can suddenly perceive certain sights and sounds as threats.
Understanding this, Emma adjusted her approach. She carried treats on walks, rewarding small victories—sniffing a scary mailbox, stepping closer to a stranger. She spoke in a cheerful, confident voice, showing Bailey there was nothing to fear. The goal wasn’t to force Bailey into situations but to gently encourage her, making each experience positive.
One day, Bailey balked at a man wearing a hat. Emma stopped, letting Bailey watch from a distance, then tossed a treat toward her. When she finally stepped forward, Emma praised her enthusiastically. The next time it happened, Bailey barely hesitated.
After a couple of weeks, Bailey’s confidence grew. She still had moments of uncertainty, but Emma learned to support her rather than push her. Bailey learned the world wasn’t as scary as she once thought.
As the next several months passed, Emma and Bailey became bonded. Then, at 14 months, Bailey’s fears resurfaced. Things she had grown comfortable with—men in hats, bicycles, even other dogs—suddenly seemed threatening again. Bailey had entered her second fear period, which can occur between 6 and 18 months of age. This stage is often compared to adolescence in humans — filled with uncertainty, hesitation, and a heightened sensitivity to new experiences.
Emma knew what to do this time. Using positive reinforcement, she carried treats on walks and spoke with a cheerful, confident voice, showing Bailey there was nothing to fear and creating a positive association with the scary things.
A few weeks passed, and one morning, Emma took Bailey to the park. A jogger ran past, and Bailey barely glanced at him. A dog barked nearby, and instead of cowering, she wagged her tail. Emma knelt beside her, ruffling her soft fur.
“Look at you,” she said. “You’re so brave.”
Bailey licked her face, as if to say, “I had a good teacher.”
Puppies will experience two fear periods as they grow into young adults. Each fear period typically only last a few weeks and it’s important to provide positive support during each phase.
