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7 Stages of Puppy Development
In order to understand why
your French bulldog puppy doesn't listen to you at times, you need to understand each
stage of development a puppy goes through as it matures. Let's take a
look at the different stages, but before we do, keep in mind that these
stages are generalizations each dog will progress at its own pace.
Stage 1: The Transitional Stage
2-3 Weeks
The Transitional stage usually lasts from age two to three weeks,
and it's during this time that your French bulldogs's eyes will open, and
he'll slowly start to respond to light and movement and sounds around
him. He'll become a little more mobile during this period, trying to get
his feet underneath him and crawling around close to his mother. He'll
start to recognize mom and his littermates and also objects placed next
to him. So it is good to send us a scented item from home even at this
early stage if you have already chosen your French bulldog puppy.
Stage 2: The Almost Ready To Meet The World Stage
3-4 Weeks
The Almost ready to meet the world stage lasts from 3 to about 4 weeks,
and your French bulldog puppy undergoes rapid sensory development during
this time. Fully alert to his environment, he'll begin to recognize human
family members, so Kay, Gary, Christina, Carrie and our Nanny. It's best
to avoid loud noises or sudden changes during this period. This is not a
good time for strangers to come and visit as negative events can have a
serious impact on his personality and development right now. French
bulldog puppies learn how to be a dog during this time, so it's essential
that they stay with mom and littermates.
Stage 3: The Overlap Stage
4-7 Weeks
From 3-4 weeks, your French bulldog puppy begins the most critical social
development period of his life. He learns social interaction with his
litter mates, learns how to play and learns bite inhibition. He'll also learn
discipline at this point. Mom will begin weaning the pups around this
time, and will start teaching them basic manners, including accepting her
as the leader of the pack. We begin to introduce food to the puppies
starting around the 4th week. We transition gradually as Mom weans them.
We continue handling the
puppies daily, but we don't separate them from either Mom or litter mates
for more than about 10 minutes per day. Puppies that are removed from the
nest too early frequently are nervous, more prone to barking and biting
and have a more difficult time with socialization and training. Puppies
need to be left with Mom and siblings until at least 7 weeks of age. If
we feel that your French bulldog puppy needs more time with mom we will
let you know that as some puppies need a little longer for optimum social
development.
Experts say that the best time
in a puppy's life to learn social skills is between 3 and 16 weeks of
age. This is the window of opportunity to make sure your Frenchie puppy
grows up to be a well-adjusted French bulldog. It's extremely important
to leave your puppy with Mom and his littermates during as much of this
period as possible. Don't discipline for play fighting, housebreaking
mistakes or mouthing as that's all normal behavior for a French bulldog puppy
at this stage.
Stage 4: The "I'm Afraid of Everything" Stage
8 Weeks to 3 Months
The "I'm Afraid of Everything" Stage lasts from about 8 weeks
to 3 months, and is characterized by rapid learning as well as a
"fearful period" that usually pops up at around 8 to 10 weeks.
Not all French bulldogs experience this, but most do, and they'll appear
terrified over things that they took in stride before. This is not a good
time to engage in harsh discipline (note… you never should anyway!), loud
voices or traumatic events.
At this time your Frenchies puppy's
bladder and bowels are starting to come under much better control, and
he's capable of sleeping through the night. You can begin teaching simple
commands like come, sit, stay, down, etc. Leash training can begin. We
offer one-on-one training with your puppy as early as 8 weeks as this is
the perfect time to begin. Especially if he will be with us beyond 8
weeks of age. It's important not to isolate your puppy from human contact
during this stage or any stage for that matter. He will continue to learn
behaviors and manners that will affect him in later years.
Stage 5: The Juvenile Stage
3 Months to 4 Months
The Juvenile stage typically
lasts from 3 to 4 months of age, and it's during this time your French
bulldog puppy is most like a toddler. He'll be a little more independent.
He might start ignoring the commands he's only recently learned. Just
like a child does when they're trying to exert their newly found
independence. As in "I don't have to listen to you!" Firm and gentle reinforcement of
commands and training is what's required here.
He might start biting you. Play
biting or even a real attempt to challenge your authority. A sharp
"No!" or "No bite!" command, followed by several
minutes of ignoring him, should take care of this problem. Never let
anyone in the family even if they “think it is cute” to ever let their
French bulldog bite or chew on humans.
Stage 6: The Brat Stage
4-6 Months
The Brat Stage starts at about 4 months and runs until about 6 months,
and it's during this time your French bulldog puppy will demonstrate even
more independence and willfulness. You may see a decline in his urge to
please you. You should expect to see more "testing the limits"
type of behaviors. He'll be going through a teething cycle during this
time, and will also be looking for things to chew on to relieve the pain
and pressure. Frozen doggie bones can help sooth him during this period.
We wet and freeze tube socks with a knot in them and they love these.
Easy to wash too.
He may try to assert his new
dominance over other family members, especially children. Continue his
training in obedience and basic commands, but make sure to never let him
off his leash during this time unless you're in a confined area. Many
times puppies at this age will ignore commands to return or come to their
owners, which can be a dangerous, even fatal breakdown in your French
bulldog's response to you. If you turn him loose in a public place and he
bolts, the chances of injury or even death can result. So PLEASE don't
take the chance.
He'll now begin to go through
the hormonal changes brought about by his growing natural maturity, and
you may see signs of rebelliousness (Think adolescent teen-age boy!). If
you haven't already, you should have him neutered or spayed during this
time.
Stage 7: The Young Stage
6-18 Months
The Young hood stage lasts from 6 months to about 18 months, and is
usually a great time in your French bulldog's life. He's young, he's
exuberant, he's full of beans and yet he's learning all the things he
needs to become a social and well-adjusted French bulldog.
Be realistic in your
expectations of your French bulldog at this time. Just because he's
approaching his full growth and may look like an adult he's not as
seasoned and experienced as you might expect. Gradually increase the
scope of activities for your French bulldog, as well as the training. You
can start more advanced training during this period, such as herding or
agility training, if that's something both of you are interested in.
Otherwise, extend his activities to include more people and other animals.
You've raised your puppy
through the 7 stages of puppyhood, and now you have a grown-up French
bulldog! Almost feels like you've raised a kid, doesn't it? CONGRATS!
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