Guess what? At 19 to 20 weeks old, things are about to get interesting with your puppy! At this age, they have officially entered into the world of jumps and humps, and we're not talking about kangaroos or weird dance moves. Get ready for some zoomies like you've never seen before and, yes, even some "pre-teen" behavior.
We're here to guide you through this adventurous phase, sharing tips and tricks, and we're a shoulder to cry on when your socks become their new chew toys. Let's dive into all the delightful quirks and challenges that come with your pup at this exciting age!
This week's focus:
The humpty dance
Teaching your puppy that it's ok to spend time alone
Training an emergency recall
When to switch from puppy to adult food
How to choose the right chew toys for your pup's chewing style
How to wash dog toys safely, and more.
The Humpty Dance – What to Do About Humping
You may notice that your puppy is getting a little extra "friendly" with other dogs. Humping is a normal dog behavior that often increases as a dog approaches sexual maturity around 6 months old. But it's not all about hormones! Humping can be a natural part of play initiation or even a sign of stress or overstimulation.
Instead of overreacting, identify the underlying cause of your puppy's humping and then work on positively interrupting it when necessary.
Teaching your puppy to be comfortable being alone is like giving them their own little superhero cape to conquer separation anxiety.
By gradually introducing them to solo time, you're helping them build confidence, and they'll be able to stay calm when left alone in the future. Prevention is much easier than treatment for this anxiety!
Dogs jump for attention, and usually, they get it! Even if you're pushing them off or telling them "no," all your puppy learns is that you talk to them and touch them when they jump up. That's exactly what they wanted – attention!
Grab some treats, a positive attitude, and get ready to overcome those puppy jumping urges with patience and consistency. It's all about being proactive! Before your puppy starts jumping, reward them for keeping all four paws on the floor. If they know how to sit, ask for that before they jump, then reward them with attention and praise!
Did you know you can have a regular recall and an "emergency" recall word? The difference between these two is in how we train it.
An emergency recall is even more exciting and heavily reinforced to compete with high-level distractions (think squirrels) but should be used sparingly once "installed."
Some puppies have finished teething by this age, while others may be teething until 6 months of age. But since it is likely that most of your pup's permanent teeth are present, it is a good idea to start a good dental hygiene routine that will continue throughout your dog's life.
While your puppy may seem like they are fully grown, they aren't. So, it's important that you are still feeding them a diet formulated for puppies. Growing puppies require more nutrients and calories than adult dogs. Compared to adult dog food, puppy food is higher in protein and fat to help support growth as well as meet their energy needs.
The time to switch to adult food is dependent on breed size but consult with your vet on the timing that is right for your unique pup. The following timelines are a general guideline:
Small breeds (less than 20 lbs) can start transitioning between 10 to 12 months
Medium breeds around 12 months
Large breeds between 12 and 15 months
Giant breeds between 18 and 24 months
When switching diets, be sure to do it gradually over a week so that it doesn't upset their stomach.
Certain breeds have a lot of hair inside their ears. Deciding whether to have your dog's ear hair plucked is based on a few factors. In some cases, the hair is protecting the ear canal, in others it's trapping moisture. Discuss with your veterinarian if your dog would benefit from having their ears plucked.
Chewing is good for your puppy’s health, so you'll want to provide plenty of safe things to chew on. Picking the right chew toy based on their "chewsonality" is important. Is your pup a nibbler, inhaler, or destroyer?
Dog toys are covered in slobber, dirt, and anything else that is lingering on the ground. This means that dog toys can be harboring anything from fungus to mold, to mildew, to staph bacteria, to viruses.
So, toys should be cleaned at a minimum monthly but ideally weekly is best. Depending on the type of toy, you can use a washing machine, a dishwasher, or a long soak. Be sure to use a cleaning and disinfecting agent that is safe for pets. Be sure they are well-rinsed and dry before letting your dog have them back.
The most important part of teaching your dog to stop jumping is preventing jumping in the first place. Use our top picks for management to set your pup up for success.
An important part of preventing ear infections is regularly cleaning your dog's ears. And an important part is to use a cleaner with a drying agent in it. Not all of them have it.
