Hey there! Can you believe your pup is 15 weeks old? Brace yourselves – get ready for some serious cuteness overload!
At this stage, your little mischief-maker might start testing the boundaries with a mischievous gleam in their eyes. But fear not, we've got the scoop on how to help your pup navigate this stage like a champ.
So buckle up and get ready for some more hilariously adorable antics with your 15-week-old furball!
This week's focus:
Coming to the end of the socialization window
How your body language affects your dog
Introducing your puppy to children
Leash walking etiquette
How to use "yes" in training
Making bath time fun, and more
It's a Window, Not a Door
Your puppy is nearing the end of the critical socialization period window. If you haven't gotten as much socialization practice as you'd like, the good news is that it's still beneficial even after this critical period is over to continue socialization exercises.
From 7 to 16 weeks old, a puppy's brain is primed for learning. What they learn during this window "imprints" in their brain and stays there for life. But this learning doesn't just stop altogether at 16 weeks old – it's crucial to maintain positive associations they've learned and to work on changing negative associations they may have developed.
It's a window, not a door that slams shut on you when it's over. Take advantage of this last week of the socialization period to plan out positive and easy proactive exposure you can do over the next week.
How people interact with your puppy can have a big impact on their experience. Often, and by accident, people can overwhelm a cautious puppy simply by leaning over them or getting into their space when they aren't ready. It can be helpful to coach people on how best to say hi to your puppy when out and about.
It's also important to practice saying no when people ask to say hi. This prevents your puppy from learning they get to meet everyone all the time (which can be frustrating when they are grown up), and is especially meaningful for puppies who get easily overstimulated or overwhelmed. So practice a polite "No, not today, thank you though!" to use sometimes.
Puppies are a handful. Children are a handful. Together ... quite the handful! But oh-so-cute when they bond and become lifelong friends. Safety is paramount for dog-child interactions.
For young children under 7 years old, separation and supervision are imperative. For older children, they can help care for and train your puppy once they've learned some basics of how to interact safely.
Puppies don't come preprogrammed knowing how to walk nicely on leash. In fact, they often find it pretty stressful being tethered to you and not having the freedom to move about. So start slow and easy, and reward with super duper yummy treats and lots of praise whenever your puppy is keeping the leash loose.
It's best to only walk your puppy on a harness to prevent putting pressure on their neck. Your puppy will pull — it will feel like they value leaf chasing over breathing — and having them on a harness will help prevent neck injuries.
Loose leash walking takes lots of practice and time – don't set too high expectations for either you or your pup at the start. It often takes 1–2 years for a dog to truly learn leash manners because it's such a difficult skill.
Want to know the secret to training your dog? If you know how to tell your dog "Yes!" then everything is much easier to train. Training is about creating a shared language and clear communication.
Using a marker word, like "Yes," is a game changer. This way, you're not just reacting to unwanted behaviors, you're being proactive and teaching your puppy what to do instead!
Before you give your puppy a full bath, make lifelong bath time easier for everyone by going slow and creating a positive routine. This might mean just practicing hanging out in the tub to eat meals and slowly introducing a wet washcloth before a full bath experience. Taking the time now will pay off big time in the long run for stress-free bath time.
Fireworks tend to freak out a lot of dogs. Whether it's New Year's Eve, 4th of July, Canada Day, or other celebration, early proactive and positive exposure can help reduce fireworks anxiety. Use our free Pupstanding socialization app to introduce the sounds of fireworks at a low volume while your dog is eating, playing, or relaxing. Over time, you'll be able to slowly increase the volume to help them acclimate. Then fireworks celebrations won't be so scary when they do happen in the future.
Puppy Teeth Are Falling
Your land shark ... ahem ... puppy is teething and likely constantly chewing or putting their mouth on everything. Be sure to regularly check their mouths to be sure that their baby teeth are falling out and being replaced by their permanent teeth. They may swallow their teeth or teeth may come out during playtime at puppy class. Don't fret if there's some blood — that's normal. If their adult teeth come in and don't push out the baby ones, they may need to be pulled by your veterinarian to prevent future dental issues.
See the Pee
Last week we talked about paying attention to your puppy's poo, and it's just as important to monitor their pee. Things like going more often than usual, only going a little at a time (or a lot more than usual), and the color can indicate potential health issues. The sooner changes are noted and brought up with your veterinarian; the sooner treatment can be started. This habit of "reading the pee leaves" should be continued throughout your dog's life.
Want a fun indoor game to burn some puppy energy? It makes for great video moments! Make a maze using things around your home and see how your pup does. It's an easy way to add enrichment and a brain game to their day.
It can happen fast. And it's devastating. Pets can suffocate when they get their heads stuck in snack bags, and it happens more often than you think.
Knowledge is power! It's easy to prevent these tragedies. Pour snacks into bowls, store cereal or other bagged foods in containers, and always cut bags twice before throwing them away.
Your puppy's nose is much more sensitive to smells than yours, and some scents can be toxic! Even if a scent, whether artificial or "natural," is safe for people, that doesn't mean that it's safe for, on, or even around your dog.
Many artificial fragrances and some natural ones contain toxins that can cause your dog harm. Be sure to stay aware of the potential problems and take the necessary precautions when using scented products or air fresheners so that they don't wind up sickening or injuring your dog.
We've reviewed products for safety, efficacy, and durability. What we recommend is veterinary and behavior-approved.
Teeth Brushing
Dental health is important for overall health, so starting your pup early with a toothbrushing routine is important. Having the right tools makes it easier and safe.
When getting your pup squeaky clean, make sure you're using a gentle pet shampoo. The pH balance and/or harsh chemicals in human shampoo, even baby shampoo, isn't appropriate for your dog's skin and coat and may irritate or dry it out.
You don't want to over-bathe your pup – doing so can strip their coat of important natural oils and dry out their skin. For those moments when they get dirty but don't need a full-on bath, use a waterless shampoo or safe grooming wipes.
Make your puppy's well-being a priority by avoiding common safety hazards and training mistakes. Our 101Essential Tips book series comes in paperback and digital, and features bite-sized, easy-to-follow expert advice. Prevent problems before they happen.
