You've hit the 10-month mark! Can you believe your puppy has already grown into a full-fledged teenager? At this age, their brain is going through a full remodel, so you might notice some difficulties when it comes to impulse control and emotional regulation.
Challenge your pup's brain with puzzle toys that require some problem-solving skills or teach them a new trick. It's like giving them a Sudoku to chew on (figuratively). This not only helps to entertain them but it also helps to keep those little brain cells sharp, leading to calmer and more focused behavior.
Physical exercise is key, too! Too little, and you may notice destructive behavior or boredom. Too much can negatively impact normal growth and physical development. It's all about finding the right balance!
This week's focus:
What to expect if your dog is not spayed/neutered
Putting an end to destructive chewing
Why dogs kick up grass
Teaching your dog to fetch and return
What to train before hiking with your dog, and more
Roamin' Roamin' Roamin'
If you have an intact dog because you're waiting to spay or neuter, then knowing what to expect behaviorally is important to keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Did you know that a male dog can smell a female dog in heat up to three miles away? So if you have an unneutered male, you need to make sure they aren't free to roam and...ahem...sow their oats.
If you have a female in heat, don't make it hard on other dogs in the vicinity by taking her to the dog park. That's asking for trouble as the boys compete for her affections. Be aware of potential off-leash dogs on walks, too.
Do you keep finding shredded shoes or de-stuffed pillows? Your dog needs to chew, but you shouldn't be sacrificing your things to their habit! It can also be unsafe and even fatal if they ever ingest a battery from the remote control or xylitol from a pack of gum.
Excessive chewing can be a sign of boredom, but if it's only happening when you leave your dog alone, it may be a sign of separation anxiety. Make sure your dog has a rotating stock of appropriate chews to keep their interest and give them an outlet for their need to chew.
If left unsupervised, make sure the area they're in is dog-proofed, and your shoes (or anything else you don't want chewed) are put away.
Kicking grass after going potty may look like they're just wiping their paws clean, but it's actually all about scent marking! Kicking not only spreads the scent they've already "deposited" but also marks with the sweat glands located in their paws.
It's usually assumed that dogs just instinctively know how to fetch, but many just don't understand that concept without some coaching. So if you don't have a natural retriever, you'll need to give your dog some pointers and make it worthwhile enough to bring back the fetch toy after you throw it.
And it's okay if your pup just isn't into fetch. Try some tug or flirt pole play instead to burn energy and keep them moving.
Hitting the trails with your dog can be tons of fun and great exercise for you both. It's best to prep your dog for a day on a hike with some basic conditioning and having some helpful training skills ready to keep it fun and safe for all. Almost all hiking trails require your dog to be on leash. A hands-free or long leash can be a good option.
If you own a breed that is prone to certain developmental or genetic issues, like juvenile and other orthopedic diseases (like hip dysplasia), liver shunts, allergies, or brachycephalic (flat-faced dogs) obstructive airway syndrome, your dog may begin to show symptoms at this point.
From a behavioral standpoint, we tend to see breed predispositions come out at behavioral maturity (18 months to 2 years – older for some breeds). An example of this is territorial/stranger danger responses in livestock guardian breeds, like Great Pyrenees, when during puppyhood and adolescence, they were more sociable.
Did you know there's medical health insurance for dogs (and cats), and that it's typically less expensive if you enroll your pet before they turn one year old? Everyone on our Preventive Vet team has their pets ensured and we've all benefited. Some have been reimbursed well over $40k during the lifetime of a pet. Veterinary medicine is as sophisticated as human medicine, so it's expensive. Being insured helps a lot, especially for unexpected accidents and chronic illnesses.
Your teen's world has dramatically expanded. They roll and jump around crazily at times and are always sticking their nose into everything. And sometimes, all that horseplay and nosing around can cause them to injure their eye and then develop a corneal ulcer. The cornea is the clear window on the front of the eye. When injury occurs, it damages and erodes the layers of the cornea, resulting in a fluid accumulation that causes the eye to become cloudy. Corneal ulcers are very painful and cause dogs to paw at their eye and squint.
Unfortunately, the injury can happen by just rubbing their eye on the carpet, or they may get dirt or grass in their eye. Any time you suspect your dog has a corneal ulcer, it is imperative to seek veterinary care. Severe cases or those left untreated could result in a ruptured eye.
Picking up your dog's poop isn't just courteous — it's also a great way for you to keep an eye (and a bagged hand) on the color and consistency and be aware of anything unusual.
Much like every other activity, picking up poop is always more fun with a tune. We hope you enjoy our song parody, "Poop Scoopin' Boogie."
From how much water to bring and how to build a doggie first aid kit, we've got you covered. Our team veterinarian is an avid hiker (and jogger), and shares her safety tips to ensure your hike with your pup is safe and enjoyable.
