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Behaviour

Taking your young dog's fear phases seriously

Your young dog suddenly gets spooked by things they never minded before? That's common during adolescence – and there's a lot you can do to help right now.

Many young dogs suddenly become jumpy during adolescence. Things that were never a problem before suddenly scare them – some people jokingly call it 'seeing ghosts'. The reason: a lot is being rebuilt in your dog's brain right now, and feelings hit harder than usual.

Don't just sit it out

Many people think a phase like this will pass on its own. That can go wrong: fear can take root and spread to more and more things. How you react now helps decide whether the phase turns into a lasting fear – or not.

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This article is no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY editorial team.