Minor Morris – Secondary Fears
Travis is heading towards 7 months old now and so has passed the Jim Mathieson’s statue of William Hogarth countless times. It was only yesterday that he really noticed it – and decided to bark.
Now that he has passed the half-year mark, he has entered adolescence and the Second Fear Period, a normal part of the development of dogs which we have known about since the mid-1960s. Puppies develop and exaggerated startle response when their eyes and ears open at 3-4 weeks of age and new stimuli flood in. The second iteration of this happens as adolescence bring alternate boldness and timidity while the brain completes its last stages of development.
This is the time when even confident puppies can become apprehensive, often with everyday objects that they have hitherto ignored. I have known dogs bark fearfully and frantically at trees, litter bins and one that developed a terror of walking over the metal hatch covers outside pubs. This fearfulness can come and go and may last days, weeks or a few months.
The “sudden” encounter with the statue (over which I feel proprietorial as it is not only situated at the end of my road, but I provided the model and made the costume and then had the privilege of attending the initial measurement session in Madame Tussaud’s studios in Acton) was not the only “surprise” of the week.
On a short lunchtime walk aiming to be the forecast thunderstorms, we were both nonplussed to discover the Hammersmith Morris Dancers, also at the end go the road. Travis lost no time in broadcasting his opinion, prompting one of the Morris Men to call out “We’re not that bad”!
Travis’ experience of this stage in his life has been quite mild and, for me, amusing, but the fear can be very genuine, especially in dogs who are less outgoing. Although it is a stage that will pass, it is possible to help your dog through this stage so that the experiences become positive and you can instil confidence and resilience.
Minor Morris fears or scary statues, I have no idea what will pique Travis’ interest next time but I will do my best to ensure that it adds to the rich tapestry of his life and not leave lasting effects…and maybe enjoy a bit of a laugh too.
Next week: Travis Learns The Three Rs of Recall
If you need help with a shy dog or in shepherding your dog through the second fear period, you can book a Rescue Remedy or Teenage Tearaways Course.