PUPPY BEHAVIOUR - FROM CUDDLES TO INDEPENDENCE

So all the checks have been done, the puppy brought home and the excitement has eased - a little, but all of a sudden something changes a bit.
That cute, follow you everywhere, do nothing wrong pup has started to find his feet a bit and feel secure. Now that's lovely that he feels like that, but it also makes him a bit bolder maybe? Perhaps not quite as 'good' as he was before?
Dont worry, it happens - and its normal!
It might be useful to know the various stages of puppy development to show that these experiences are normal and can be dealt with.
If you have concerns about your puppy's behaviour please do get in touch either directly into the club via our contact form or join our Facebook Chat group and share your concerns with our members. A lot of them will have been through similar experiences and have advice to help you.
That cute, follow you everywhere, do nothing wrong pup has started to find his feet a bit and feel secure. Now that's lovely that he feels like that, but it also makes him a bit bolder maybe? Perhaps not quite as 'good' as he was before?
Dont worry, it happens - and its normal!
It might be useful to know the various stages of puppy development to show that these experiences are normal and can be dealt with.
If you have concerns about your puppy's behaviour please do get in touch either directly into the club via our contact form or join our Facebook Chat group and share your concerns with our members. A lot of them will have been through similar experiences and have advice to help you.
AGE
7-12 WEEKS
|
BEHAVIOUR
Forms strong bonds with people.
Very impressionable but also fearful Can be traumatised by scarey experiences and that can affect him for life. |
WHAT TO DO
Great time to start teaching manners
Essential to do early socialisation. Avoid scarey experiences until after 11 weeks or could remain fearful Make all experiences fun and always reassure and reward positively. Start training as early as possible and continue daily |
10 - 16 WEEKS
|
Start to become a bit more independent, stop being as responsive to your commands.
Start mouthing and biting Puppy teeth begin to fall out and be replaced by adult teeth Trying to figure out his place in your household |
Continue training using positive reward based methods
Maintain a structure and routine and carry on with training Stay calm with him. Learn to distract pup with toys Start taking puppy out on a lead when 2nd lot of inoculations have been given. |
4 - 8 MONTHS
|
Independence grows
May not want to come when called Mouthing and biting may get worse for a while Adult teeth continue to come through. |
Provide chew toys for teething
Will chew on things you dont want him to - shoes, clothes, other items Keep working on recall and training to reinforce it Keep pup on lead when out till recall is good |
6 - 12 MONTHS
|
Behaviour can be 'trying' at times, and that can be putting it mildly!.
Reaches sexual maturity, males start cocking their leg to wee. May start reacting to things strange to them - growling and barking at things for example |
Try to stay patient and continue with training
Reward good behaviour with praise and rewards. Early socialisation should have given the basis for getting through this stage. Carry on making all new experiences fun and non scarey |
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