Your puppy is 13 weeks old! You might be noticing more confidence in exploring and likely more nipping and mouthing.
We've gathered some paw-some resources to guide you through this stage with ease. From teething tips to taking potty training to the next stage, we're here to help you survive the puppy shenanigans!
This week's focus:
Preventing resource guarding
Playing tug without encouraging aggression
Socializing your puppy to thunder
Using a snuffle mat as a brain game
Choosing non-toxic toys and more
Preventing Resource Guarding – Don't Stick Your Hand in Their Bowl
The best way to teach your puppy to not guard their resources is to not randomly just take their things away! Avoid messing with their food while they're eating, let them chew in peace, and make sure everyone in your family knows to leave them alone with their things.
Watch Finnegan go on leashed walk adventures in his neighborhood to continue his socialization! His people are steering clear of areas where other dogs do their business or congregate since his vaccines aren't fully complete, and he is at risk of getting Parvovirus or even the Distemper virus in areas that are shady, moist, and cool.
These safe socialization adventure walks provide much-needed environmental enrichment. Bonus: these walks build a strong and trusting relationship between you and your puppy!
Tip: Wipe your pup's paws with a disinfectant wipe to remove any trace of fecal matter before they lick their paws or contaminate your home or car.
Tug can be a fantastic game for you to play with your puppy. Don't worry – it won't cause aggression if played correctly. In fact, it can be a wonderful way to strengthen your relationship because of the cooperative nature of the game and can help your puppy practice not nipping or mouthing hands but instead aim for the toy.
Save a particular tug toy that is hidden between games so it's an exciting "new" toy when you bring it out. And let your puppy win sometimes! No one wants to play a game they always lose, and it's amazing to see a puppy win tug and then bring the toy back to you for more. Safety note: Puppy necks (and teeth) are fragile, so gentle tugging only and avoid side-to-side or up-and-down motions.
Fear of thunderstorms is one of the top noise phobias in dogs. You can get ahead of this issue with your pup by slowly introducing low-volume sound recordings of thunder to help desensitize them to the noise.
Your puppy has likely started teething. The discomfort can result in some stress which can cause mild gastrointestinal issues. Their desire to chew is likely increased due to the teething and their continued curiosity and independence needs. Giving them something chilled to chew on can soothe their gums. A frozen bagel (no onions or garlic!!) or a wet rag or towel that is twisted and frozen are helpful, but you must supervise when using them.
Taking a flying leap off of beds, chairs, or sofas can be extra dangerous for puppies who are still growing and have no body awareness yet. Jumping on or off things can also affect long-term back issues for some breeds. And puppies younger than 12 weeks shouldn't go up and down stairs.
Puppies tend to leap before they look, so take extra care to use ramps up to furniture or block their access to keep them safe. And if they do hurt themselves and are limping, you may need to call the vet to make sure everything is okay.
Keeping your puppy on a regular meal schedule, and pulling up their bowl in between, is essential for monitoring their food intake and health, and preventing bad grazing habits.
Not free-feeding also means that your training will be easier because your pup is likely to be more food motivated between meals.
Dogs are foragers by nature! Make mealtime a foraging game by using a snuffle mat to get your pup rooting around for their kibble. This works the brain via their nose and slows down speed eaters.
Know what toxins in toys/chews can be dangerous for pets (e.g., PVC, Phthalates, Lead, BPA, Arsenic, Bromine, Melamine, Chromium, Formaldehyde), and steer clear of toys that contain them.
Look carefully at the labeling for the country of origin. Contact the manufacturer and inquire about what safety testing and regulations they follow. If you need help, we may be able to find out for you.
A curious puppy will eat anything, and that includes glue. Eating glue can cause gastrointestinal upset and potentially result in an intestinal obstruction that requires surgery to save their life.
We've reviewed products for safety, efficacy, and durability. What we recommend is veterinary and behavior-approved.
Masking Sounds
Does your puppy wake up or start barking whenever there's a sound or noise outside? One of the best ways to encourage sounder sleep and prevent alert barking is to use noise masking to dampen outside sounds. You can use music, a fan, or a white noise machine.
When it comes to picking a tug toy for your puppy, choose something durable but soft enough for puppy teeth. Plus, look for LONG toys to prevent your hands from getting nipped at during tug.
While your pup is still waiting on vaccines, you can and should still get them out and about for socialization. Keeping them off the ground is key, so use a backpack or stroller to keep them safe. If you walk your pup, have them wear boots or wipe their paws to remove any trace of dog poo they may have picked up.
