Your pup is hitting the 30-week mark, and there's lots to look forward to! Physically, they may look like a pint-sized adult, but don't be fooled by those gangly legs – they're still prone to a bit of clumsiness. Body awareness comes with age. They're likely still figuring out how to be the most rebellious teenager.
Keep those positive training sessions going — it pays off in the long run. Energy levels might rival a hyperactive toddler, so don't forget to keep them exercised both physically and mentally, and nurture their curiosity with love and understanding.
This week's focus:
Keep your dog calm and carry on
Dealing with digging
Holding off before going on runs together
DIY food tube puzzle, and more
3 Ways to Calm Down a Hyper Teenage Dog
If you're looking for some sanity-saving tips to help your pup calm down, we've got three words for you: licking, chewing, and sniffing.
These calming activities can work wonders in taming that whirlwind of energy and restoring some peace to your home. The repetitive nature is naturally calming and provides decompression for your dog. So bust out the snuffle mat, stuffed dog feeder, or chew toy.
Has your dog turned your yard or garden into what looks like the lunar surface? Digging is a totally normal dog behavior, and one that you won't just be able to "train out" because it's instinctual.
First things first, provide your dog with an alternative digging zone – it's like giving them their own little sandbox. That way, they have an appropriate outlet for their digging that isn't your flower bed.
Second, make sure to keep your pup mentally stimulated and physically exercised because bored pups are more likely to become amateur landscapers or escape artists.
With a long leash, your dog will have more freedom to move and explore, giving you lots of opportunity to call them back and reward before letting them go to sniff again.
Using a long leash can also be a great option while working on loose leash manners on shorter leashes; for those times when you just want to walk and enjoy the scenery rather than focus on training.
A rock-solid recall takes time to train, and especially during adolescence, it's normal to see your dog have a hard time coming back when called. Train up an emergency recall to use in case your dog decides to take off toward a busy road or other unsafe situation.
Another safety tip: Use management such as a long leash or only letting them off leash in securely fenced areas. Don't expect your teen dog to be able to ignore distractions like squirrels or other dogs – that takes time and repetition! Set them up for safety and success.
A big mistake some people often make is feeding dogs their leftovers from the table or giving way too many treats or snacks.
Pro Tip: When training, use some of their mealtime kibble as their treats. For example, if you feed 3 cups a day, only feed 2 cups and use the remaining cup of kibble for training.
Weight gain can happen before you know it without the proper amount of exercise to counteract the extra calories. And table scraps can cause a very serious condition of pancreatitis. Some breeds are more susceptible to it, like Miniature Poodles and Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, Shelties, Rough Collies, and some terriers, like Yorkshire and Sky, but any dog at any age can get it.
Anytime after a bath, swimming, or playing around water, you should clean your dog's ears with a gentle ear cleaner that contains both a cleaning and drying agent. The process is straightforward. Once your pup is done bathing or swimming, fill their ear canal with the cleaner until it overflows. Then gently massage the ear. Boom! You are done.
While your little "teen" may seem all grown up, they aren't ready for all adult activities. It may seem like a good idea to take your pup on a run to burn off some of that energy, but you will need to hold off until they are about 18 months old to ensure their growth plates have closed and bones, joints, and ligaments have completed growing.
The repetitive and high impact of running on their growth plates can be harmful if they are not closed. This could potentially lead to the shortening of or conformational problems with their legs. It may also increase their risk of, or worsen the discomfort of, hip or elbow dysplasia or shoulder osteochondrosis.
Enrichment doesn't have to be fancy! You can do many DIY options with things from around your home. Like toilet paper rolls and shoe boxes! Add some treats or their meal, and you have a fun dog puzzle.
Knucklebones and deer antlers, even yak cheese, are some of the most popular chews. But if your dog is using them to chew on, they may end up at the dentist or surgeon's office. These chew toys are extremely hard and can cause tooth fractures that result in the tooth needing to be extracted. They can also splinter, causing choking or even intestinal trauma that requires surgery.
Even though your pup may enjoy them, neither of you will like the results when things go wrong. Be sure to always do the 'hardness test' on chews before giving them to your dog in order to avoid potential hazards. If your thumbnail can't press into the chew, it's just too hard for your dog's teeth.
Dogs that chronically carry and gnaw on tennis balls can develop tooth decay, especially on their front teeth. The abrasive felt of the tennis ball wears down the enamel on your dog’s teeth (this could expose the tooth root and pulp, necessitating a tooth extraction or root canal). Try to limit how often and how long they carry and chew on any type of ball, especially tennis balls.
We've reviewed products for safety, efficacy, and durability. What we recommend is veterinary and behavior-approved.
Snuffle Mats
Ditch the food bowl! Put your dog's nose to work with a snuffle mat. It's one the the easiest ways to make mealtime an enrichment activity if you feed dry kibble.
Mealtimes should be about providing nutrition AND working your pup's brain. Using interactive feeders and puzzles burns excess energy and slows down your dog's eating.
