Your puppy is a difficult teenager

A puppy can be just as difficult as a teenager.

If you are sure that the “difficult teenager” syndrome is typical only for people, you are mistaken. Puppies begin at about six months of age in puppies: they become stubborn and headstrong when faced with any restrictions and try to assert their independence. Your puppy may try to overcome your superiority – he may refuse to obey and please you. All this is due to the hormonal explosion characteristic of puberty. If you haven’t spayed your pet yet, now is the time to do so.

How to value a relationship with a teenager?

All the efforts you have made to socialize your pet will be required again when he reaches puberty. Keep accustoming him to different situations, strangers and other dogs. Keep playing with him, reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. Be prepared for unpredictable behavior and rebellion. The puppy that used to follow you around may now not even respond to your call. You need to be firm, but fair and let him know what is good and what is bad.

Threat to your property

Another feature of your puppy’s puberty that can be a significant problem is the overwhelming urge to chew on something. This is different from similar behavior during teething – by that time all the milk teeth will have already fallen out. This drive, seen during puberty, may ease the discomfort of changing teeth, or simply serve as a way to explore the environment. Regardless of the reasons, there are only two things you can do to save yourself and your property during this period. First, find items for your puppy to chew on and praise him every time he chooses them. You can find many similar toys in the store. Secondly, do not leave your puppy unattended where there are valuable or potentially dangerous items that he could chew on.

Fights during puberty

During this period, relationships with other dogs can become quite strained. Puppies in puberty (mostly males) often come into conflict with other, older dogs (again males) who are eager to “put them in their place”. This is often caused by elevated testosterone levels, which is responsible for the manifestation of such rude “dog-like manners”. Sterilization will help to cope with such behavioral problems. Always praise your pet for being friendly with other dogs. If on a walk when meeting an unfamiliar dog, he greets her and behaves well, be sure to praise him; maybe even give him a treat.

Growth and development during puberty

Dogs of different breeds mature at different rates. In general, the larger the breed, the longer it takes for the bones to fully develop. Larger breeds require different nutrient levels than smaller breeds for skeletal growth and development. Therefore, in some large breeds, the skeleton is formed over a long period of time – up to 18 months, while in small breeds this process can take 6-8 months. Your veterinarian will monitor your puppy’s growth and development and monitor their health throughout puberty.

Maturity

The period of early maturity usually lasts from 8 to 18 months. As a rule, this is a great time for all dogs: they are still young and full of energy, but already spared all the difficulties of transitional age.