So, your pup is now 27 weeks old, huh? At this stage, you can expect your dog to continue exhibiting those classic teenage behaviors, like testing boundaries and giving you the occasional eye roll. Ah, the joys of adolescent rebellion!
Now, here's the kicker: during this rebellious stage, you might find that your dog is suddenly selective about who they choose to listen to. It's like they developed a secret code of loyalty. They'll listen to your friends, your neighbors, and even that squirrel taunting them outside the window, but when it comes to you, they act like they've gone temporarily deaf. This is a common occurrence during adolescence.
It's not personal, we promise. Teenage dogs often become more independent and easily influenced by external stimuli. They're navigating through a sea of new experiences, and sometimes that means they're more interested in what the world has to offer than in following your every cue. Read on for more tips and tricks on navigating the teenage years of doghood — we've got your back on this roller coaster ride.
This week's focus:
Why dogs eat poop
An important time to focus on training recall
Training your dog to stop using potty pads
When your dog's anal glands act up
Tips for keeping a dog out of the cat's litter box
Nuts you shouldn't let your dog near, and more
Why Dogs Eat Poop
As gross and baffling as it might seem, eating poop, called coprophagia, is a surprisingly common behavior in dogs. One reason for this unsavory habit is simply boredom or curiosity, but it can also indicate a deficiency in their diet or even a medical issue.
To nip this habit in the bud, make sure your dog is getting enough physical and mental stimulation throughout the day, improve their diet (under the guidance of your vet, of course), and consult with them to rule out any potential health issues.
Plus, be sure to pick up any poo in your yard so your dog doesn't find a yummy snack just waiting for them.
If your dog gets fearful or barky and lunge-y with people or other dogs on walks or at the front window, then you can play a fun training game called Open Bar, Closed Bar.
It's easy! When your dog's "trigger" appears, the bar is open — you continuously feed super high-value food. When the trigger disappears from sight, close the bar — stop feeding the food. The trick is opening the bar before your dog reacts, but after they've seen the trigger.
This creates a positive emotional response to seeing things that would otherwise make them bark, meaning they are less likely to respond with fear-based behaviors.
Because your teenage pup is likely to ignore you, it's important to really practice their come-when-called cue and make sure it has a super duper positive response.
Never call your dog to come before doing something they find unpleasant, such as giving them a bath, putting them in the crate and leaving, or trimming their nails. Great things — and ONLY great things should be associated with "Come!"
Practice at home in different rooms and in a securely fenced yard. You can also practice other places using a long leash to ensure your dog stays safe and connected to you but gets to practice coming over from further distances.
If you started using potty pads when your puppy was younger, you may find yourself still relying on them for housetraining success. If your goal is to only have your dog go potty outside, then it's time to start the transition!
There are a couple of ways to go about phasing out potty pads. Don't do it all at once, instead start to slowly reduce the number of pads available down to one. Then start to slowly move that pad closer and closer to the door that leads to the outdoor designated potty spot. With increased potty breaks outside and rewarding going potty outside, your dog will soon learn their new designated spot.
Most pups have complete control of their bladder by this point. While accidents may still happen occasionally, obvious changes in your puppy's peeing habits may indicate an underlying issue. If you notice any changes, contact your veterinarian.
If you and your veterinarian decide that your pup is ready to be spayed or neutered soon, it is important to start carefully controlling how much your dog eats.
As the presence of hormones diminishes and their growth rate slows, your dog's caloric requirements will slowly decrease. If you continue feeding the same amount of food (calories) after their spay/neuter, your dog could start to become chunky, and fat is inflammation, which isn't good for maintaining overall health. By measuring or weighing their food and monitoring their weight, you can make the proper adjustments to avoid weight gain.
Pro Tip: The amount listed on the food bag is usually based on an unneutered male dog's needs, so you must adjust accordingly.
These scent glands sit on either side of your dog's anus. When your dog poops a normal poop regularly, they express these glands naturally. However, it just seems to be a fact that most dogs have, at one time or another, problems with their anal glands, especially after a bout of diarrhea.
If you notice your dog scooting, licking their butt, tucking their tail, or acting abnormally when pooping, they may need a trip to the vet to get their anal glands expressed.
We've got another fun DIY dog treat recipe for you to try at home! This one is all about berries and is created by a veterinarian and certified pet nutrition coach.
Tips to Keep Your Dog Out of Your Cat's Litter Box and Avoid Parasites
To a dog, cat poop is something smelly and yummy! You'll want to discourage your dog from indulging in 'kitty roca' to prevent gastrointestinal issues as well as the potential spread of parasites.
Place the box in an area not accessible to your dog (behind a baby gate or specialty cat door) or place it high enough your cat can get into it, but your dog can't. But just in case your dog gets past all your obstacles, be sure to routinely deworm your cat, especially if they go outdoors.
Macadamia Nuts Can Cause Temporary Rear Leg Paralysis
Macadamia nuts are a yummy and popular part of the menu, especially for folks on keto diets. However, while the mechanism of toxicity is unknown, they are very toxic to dogs. They can cause weakness, inability to walk, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia.
Symptoms usually begin within 12 hours of ingestion, and they occur after dogs ingest 2.4 grams of nuts per kilogram of body weight. Do your best to always keep them out of reach from your dog and be sure they are in a solid container that closes tightly, just in case someone forgets to put them away. These nuts are also in many cookies and baked goods. If you suspect your dog may have eaten macadamia nuts, contact your veterinarian.
If you're wanting to transition from paper potty pads to outside only, or just looking for something nicer for your pup's indoor potty spot, the Fresh Patch is a great solution. Made from real grass, not only does this help your pup learn that grass is where they should do their business, but it's also cleaner and less stinky than pads.
When there aren't many distractions around, kibble or low-value treats can be great to keep your dog's attention. But if there's lots going on or you're teaching a brand new skill, then it's time to bust out the good stuff!
Check out our dog trainer's top picks for high-value training treats to keep your pup engaged and working hard.
