Raising a puppy is a marathon, not a sprint. Each stage of their growth presents a different challenge, something new to teach, and plenty of opportunities for enjoyment. Here are four key phases of puppyhood, what to expect at each one, and some advice for maximizing each one.
Although it may be difficult to believe while watching them trip over their own limbs, your puppy’s brain is currently working nonstop.
A 3-month-old puppy is capable of learning boundaries, polite behavior, potty training, and fundamental commands. They’re also coming to love you, and this is the time when you and your dog really start to bond.
Your dog’s brain needs mental exercise during this phase to grow faster, bigger, and smarter—and to help them become a calm and self-assured young adult.
Health and Care
Since the puppy vaccinations are finished, your puppy won’t need a vet visit again until it’s an adult (unless something is seriously wrong). Keep an eye out for any symptoms of illness in your puppy. Contact your vet with any concerns. You are still learning what is normal for your puppy. Early detection of most health issues makes treatment much simpler.
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A Few Other Puppy Care Tips
Wells notes that there are benefits to getting a puppy at this age, including the fact that they will be more independent and have better bladder control than puppies. However, because they will play more and sleep less, they will still require supervision at home and a puppy-proof environment. Wells advises giving your puppy a set of rules and regular aerobic exercise, just like you would with a human teenager, because of the differences between young and old puppies.
Puppies can be taught useful commands that will stick with them for the rest of their lives, such as sit, lie down, wait, stay, and leave it. After learning these behaviors, they should be regularly reinforced for the rest of one’s life. Outside of the home, this is typically when formal puppy training sessions take place. These courses are very beneficial as long as they are taught in a non-confrontational manner.
If you have multiple puppies, you may notice that play at around 5 to 6 months includes some nipping, growling, and other general displays of dominance. At this point, many males and some females will start humping each other as they prepare for their adult roles. As long as the behavior is not directed at you, it is acceptable.
You can expect the following behaviors from your puppy as he grows up.
FAQ
Is 6 months still considered puppy?
Your puppy went through a fast-growing juvenile stage from age 3 to 6 months, and is now considered an adolescent. Be ready to adjust to your puppy’s needs at this stage of life as they may go through a number of behavioral changes that call for your patience and reinforcement of your training.
What age is no longer a puppy?
While their bones are still developing, which can take anywhere from six to twenty-four months, puppies continue to grow in height and size until they are one year old, when they are officially classified as adult dogs.
What month is a puppy no longer a puppy?
Between the ages of 12 and 18 months, a dog is no longer a puppy, with some variation based on breed, size, and temperament. Compared to large to giant breeds, which can take up to almost 24 months before reaching adulthood, smaller breeds tend to develop and reach maturity sooner, both physically and emotionally.