At 9 months of age, your dog will have boundless energy and a penchant for mischief. Sounds fun and exhausting, right? Playtime becomes even more important for their development and a way to channel their energy in a positive way. Not only is playing with other dogs a fun activity, but it also helps them practice appropriate canine communication, body language, and boundaries.
Teenaged dogs tend to love pushing other dog's buttons (or yours, if you haven't noticed), so matching them with appropriate playmates is key to success and safety. Keep up the great work and make sure to give yourself a high five (or hug) for surviving this teen phase with your dog. It's hard work!
This week's focus:
Proper play techniques
What to know about going to the dog park
Managing resource guarding
The importance of training Drop It
Happy visit weigh-ins, and more
It's All Fun And Games Until...
Watching dogs play together can be so good for the soul! But it can also feel overwhelming, considering that typical dog play involves lots of teeth, vocalization, and rough and tumble. Knowing when to step in and press pause is important for safety and to prevent bad experiences that can cause future fear or reactivity.
So, if you take your dog to the dog park or have doggie playmates over for playdates, practice frequent positive interruptions and get familiar with your dog's play style and tolerance.
Dog parks aren't universally loved by professional trainers because they can be a free-for-all and overwhelming – which can cause long-term behavior issues. But for many, they may be the only way to provide dogs with needed exercise and socialization.
It's all about making sure the dog park is right for your dog and that you're set up for success in managing dogs at the dog park. If your dog is cautious, shy, or full-out fearful of other dogs or people, the dog park is not the place to work on this. Or if your dog is over-exuberant or rough in their play, you need to be very careful to make sure they have a good match in playmates and don't traumatize other dogs by accident.
Follow your gut. If the vibe at the dog park feels off or if there's a dog present that you know will trigger your dog or doesn't match their playstyle, simply leave and return later.
If other dog owners are not paying attention to their dog or carefully managing their play, leave and return later. Dog play can switch into dog fights quickly, so hanging out at the dog park isn't time for people to socialize with each other. Everyone should be following their dog around and keeping everything fun for all.
Guarding valued items like food, toys, or space is a normal dog behavior. But it becomes a problem when a dog escalates into lunging or biting people or other dogs when they approach those things.
If your dog guards things at home or at the dog park, the first step is to manage the environment to prevent the behavior and to keep everyone safe. This might mean not going to the dog park if your dog steals and guards toys (or you!) from other dogs. At home, it may mean feeding them in a separate area where no one will bother them while they eat or not giving certain high-value chews or toys.
Once you have management in place, then you can work with a certified canine behavior consultant to fix this behavior.
Knowing when to not put something in their mouth is a super useful cue for dogs! Whether on a walk to avoid trash on the sidewalk or at home if you drop food or medication on the floor, Leave It can keep your dog safe. The trick to this skill is practicing it on easy things that your dog will be successful in pulling away from on their own.
Start with low-value treats (like regular kibble) in your closed fist. Present your fist to your dog and say, "leave it." Then, wait until they pull away. Say "yes," and then reward them with a super yummy treat from your other hand! This foundation sets them up for a fast and solid response to harder things in the future. Practice, practice, practice, slowly building them up.
While Leave It is for BEFORE your dog has something in their mouth, Drop It is for AFTER they already have something. This cue is basically teaching them to spit something out when you ask.
You'll want to train this as a super positive behavior because if your dog learns that every time they drop something they lose it, then they are more likely to play keep away or hurriedly swallow something in the future if they suspect you're coming to take it away.
Did you know you can start training this without your dog having anything in their mouth to start? Simply say Drop It, then immediately drop some bits of cheese or chicken in front of you. Your dog will come running and join in on the treat party. Repeat. With repetition, your dog learns that hearing "Drop It" predicts an awesome party where you are, and they will spit out what's in their mouth to hurry over and party with you.
Gastropexy is a surgical procedure done on large/giant and deep-chested breeds of dogs that are predisposed to gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV or bloat). The procedure attaches the stomach to the body wall permanently fixing it in place so that it can't twist abnormally in the future.
Having the procedure performed as soon as possible after 6 months of age, whether done during the time of a spay or neuter procedure or not, is recommended. Consult with your veterinarian if you are unsure if your dog is at risk and the best time to have the procedure done.
At the 10 to 12-month mark, your small breed dog is fully grown, though they will fill out some, and other-sized dogs are about 80 to 90% of their full adult size and weight.
If you have a small breed dog, consult with your veterinarian as to when to gradually transition them to adult food.
Medium-sized and larger dogs have a bit more time until they switch to adult food. It is now really important to start monitoring your dog's weight to prevent them from becoming overweight. You can always drop by your vet to use their scale for a weigh-in. It'll be a happy visit for your dog, as all they'll get are hugs and treats from the vet team.
Is your dog not a big fan of busy dog parks? They aren't alone! The majority of adult dogs prefer to avoid unfamiliar dogs or overly busy dog play areas. Did you know you can rent out private dog parks for your dog to explore?
Whether alone or with a few familiar dog buddies, Sniffspot provides a great option for dogs to run, sniff, and explore in a safer environment. These private yard rentals can be excellent options for fearful or reactive dogs and are a perfect enrichment and exercise activity. There are Sniffspot options across the U.S. and Canada.
BTW: This is not a paid ad. We don't accept any money in exchange for our recommendations – ever. We've just used Sniffspot and love it.
For people, avocados are known as the 'good fat' and are recommended as part of a healthy diet. But should dogs have them? The answer to this question is no and yes.
Persin is a fungicidal toxin contained in the fruit, pits, leaves, and the plant of the avocado. So essentially, all aspects of the avocado are toxic. Dogs appear to be more resistant to persin than other animals, but that doesn't mean it is completely safe for them. Unfortunately, the lethal dose is unknown.
Since the fleshy part of the avocado is high in fat, it can cause gastrointestinal issues and pancreatitis. Avocados are also high in calories, and your dog can gain weight if they consume too much. The pit of the avocado is obviously a choking hazard. However, if your dog happens to get a small piece of the flesh, they should be fine.
Like avocados, bone broth is considered a superfood for people and is often recommended as a food topper for dogs to entice them to eat or as a treat. Make sure the broth you use or make does not have onions or garlic – as they are very toxic to dogs. Always read the label, even on products you have bought before because ingredients can always change.
