Puppies are full of energy, and sometimes this can feel overwhelming. We’re going to provide you with what you can expect from your puppy so that you’re better prepared.
Up to 2 months old
Puppies have an infinite amount of energy and curiosity right out of the gate, and you might find yourself struggling to keep up. At this stage, puppies are learning about themselves as well as the world around them. They will chase any moving object, and take a bite out of everything to see if it tastes good. Because of their curiosity, it may be a good idea to start some puppy training.
Young puppies have an infinite amount of energy and curiosity as they are learning about themselves and the world around them.
Very helpful tool: Why You Should Be Getting A Tracker For Your Dog.
Make dog training easier: Technology That Can Help Improve Your Dog Training.
From 2 to 4 months old
During this stage, the puppies have a fairly good understanding of the world around them, and now they are trying to test their boundaries. They will start behaving similar to teenagers, forgetting (or ignoring) the rules and commands they followed previously.
From 4 to 6 months old
It is a common behaviour for puppies at this stage to play-fight with other dogs in order to know where they belong within a group. Dogs are highly social animals. Early and frequent socialisation with a wide variety of different types of dogs will help develop your dog’s ability to interact with other people and animals later on.
You may also notice that your puppy is starting to show signs of fear. If they are, the best way to tackle this problem is to ignore the behaviour and build confidence through training. You don’t want to comfort him (petting him or putting him on your lap) as this may be perceived as a reward, but you don’t want to punish him either.
Dogs are highly social animals, so they will interact and play with other dogs to know where they belong in the group at around this stage.
Bring some uniqueness to your dog’s toy collection: Weird And Unusual Dog Toys You Can Have Around the House.
Not just for play: Why Are Dog Toys Important For Healthy Dogs?
From 6 to 12 months old
You may notice that your puppy no longer looks like a puppy, but starting to resemble a full-grown adult. But trust me, he is still definitely a puppy. He is still testing his boundaries with the same level of energy as before. Frequent training and socialisations with other dogs is essential at this stage, with plenty of play in between for exercise.
As your dog approaches their first birthday, you’ll start to notice that they no longer look like a puppy, but a full-grown adult dog instead.
Loyal to his owner: Faithful Dog Waits Patiently Outside A Hospital Months After Their Owner Passed Away.
“Not my sibling!”: Watch This Incredible Pooch Fight An Eagle To Protect Its Sibling.
12 months +
Congratulations, you’ve survived puppyhood! As your puppy approaches his first birthday (two years for some breeds), his appearance and behaviours will begin to become more mature. He may still possess the same high levels of energy, but at least he understands his capabilities and limits and will be more obedient.
