In
college the 101 classes are usually the Freshman or lower level classes. I
guess another title for this series could be Dogs 101! The next few weeks I will
share what I consider the most important things dog owners need to know. We’ll
look at puppies, adults, rescues and even older adults.
Today,
let’s take a brief look at behaviors. Almost all behaviors can be explained but
that does not make them excusable. From birth to a year old your puppy goes
through very distinct behavioral stages. It helps when new owners understand
these stages.
You have probably heard the adage, "Dogs age seven years to our one." While mostly true, that statement is an average over the lifetime of a dog. In addition, for this series, we are looking more at the behavioral maturity than the physical. The first year a puppy matures about twelve of ours. The second year around nine, but by the time he is ten years old he’s aging about four. With these facts in mind, look at the first year of a puppy’s life.
2-4 MONTHS OLD
= In behavior he compares to a 2-4
year-old child. He plays hard, sleeps hard, chews everything and tries
everything. "NO" is a big part of his world. He usually comes when
you call him and does not stray far from you. He needs to be taken many places
and socialized at parks and playgrounds and pet stores.
4-6 MONTHS OLD =
Now he starts branching out in much the way a 4-6 year old child does. He
challenges your authority a little more. He may not always come when called. He
should NOT be outside without a leash until you know he won’t run away. The
teething will wind down but the chewing will last a while. (Three to Four
months is the perfect age to start obedience class.)
6-9 MONTHS OLD=
I call this the age of rebellion. The chewing may wane some. But this is the
age of the 'runaway dog' and the belligerence of not wanting to obey anymore.
(Think back to when you were 9-10 years old and beginning to try your own way
with your parents.) He is pre-pubescent! Getting him neutered will help
minimize the rebellion, but it will not end it. He still has to go through the
stage. It helps you deal with the little or big rebellions if he’s already in
training.
9-12 MONTHS OLD=
Adolescent behavior hits full swing. He acts like a 12 year old child! While he
is physically an adult, mentally he’s more like an eighth-grader. Many people
expect their one-year-old dog to act like an adult and when it’s still immature
they get rid of it. They really needed to just take charge, be the master and
let him grow up.
