At 4 to 6 months of age, you are probably wondering what the heck happened to my sweet little puppy who followed me around like I was the best thing EVER. Well, nothing happened. Your dog is growing.
This little creature is becoming more and more athletic and independent every day. Meeting the needs of this dog requires time.
This little creature is becoming more and more athletic and independent every day. Meeting the needs of this dog requires time.
Now I know that not all of you are Stay at Homes....I'm not either. But the following is an example of a 'perfect world' scenario if you had nothing else to do but cater your life to this animal.....which you probably should have thought about before you got a dog, but that's neither here nor there. What is there, is a furry kid with knives and needles in his mouth, and you, oh sweet Human, you have chosen to bring this beast into your home and join your family.
Even if you are working most of the day, take this morning to night ideal and see how close you can get to it. It may be the difference between losing your mind, and falling even deeper in love with your dog. If you can't spend your whole life with the pup, increasing exercise (within reason, remember, they're still young) and giving your puppy a safe space to hang out in while you are away are paramount to growing dog success.
One of my clients opted to buy the XXL wire crate for his Boston Terrier pup, so he'd have an escape proof place to play around when he couldn't be there to watch him: Brilliant!
Having a backyard can make your life a bit easier, but do not treat the backyard as a substitute babysitter for the puppy. You are still in the phase where he will make terrible choices, and if you are teaching him things, your backyard is a great training space. Don't just toss him out and leave him out. Unless you are planning on having a dog with no manners who pummels your guests with his feet and mouth whenever you have company....
Ok, you ready?
Alarm @ 7am - Out; poop/pee & chase toys to take the edge off the morning crazies.
7:15a-Breakfast;
If he finishes, good. If not, pick up the bowl and save it for later. He’ll walk away from it if he doesn't want the whole portion. While he is eating, inspect his bedding for damage. Cut any loose threads; check pillows (or mat, if not using pillows),& check his crate toys for use.
7:30a-8:30a - After breakfast, put him back in the crate for more sleeping.
8:30a- Out to poop/pee
9a -10’ish - Play/Run/Long Walk
This is VERY important for his health. This helps keep him in shape. It keeps his muscles strong to protect his knees, as they are very prone to injury in large breeds. This also helps make the rest of your day easy ---He will sleep for most of it, if you do this ONE HOUR of exercise in the morning.
It will help keep him out of trouble.
It will save your shoes....and your coffee table......and your plants......and your socks..and the carpet......and, well, you get the idea...
Puppies who don’t exercise are Trouble.
Playing with other dogs is vital for his social growth and behavior. But be careful who you allow him to play with. Make sure his playmates are nice dogs who won’t teach him bad habits or aggression. If you think he is being bullied, or is being a bully, catch him and have him sit quietly for a few moments. When he has calmed, he may go play with them again, but if he cannot conduct himself, then just leash him and take him for a walk instead.
Biting and wrestling is normal. Chasing a dog down and pestering him when he clearly doesn't want anything to do with the other dog is where you, the Human in Charge, must interrupt and control the situation. If he cannot handle playing with other puppies, adult dogs may be the better option, as they can teach him how to not bite so hard, very quickly.
Be sure you are catering this exercise to his specific physical requirements. A Labrador is going to need a bit more then a Chihuahua; a St. Bernard may need the time, but at a slower pace to protect his slow-growing bones. Check with your vet if you are unsure what may be appropriate for your particular dog.
10-10:30a - The rest of breakfast, if there is any. Then a Chew. Don’t let him chew longer then 30 min. at a time on edible bones/chews. They can upset his tummy if he eats too much, and get diarrhea.
10:30a - Outside. He needs to go after chewing. He may not ask, you just need to assume he needs it, and take him out. He will go.
10:30’ish - 1pm - Sleeping. You can leave him out of the crate, as long as you can watch him. Sometimes, he will get up in the middle of his nap and ask to go out. If you cannot watch him, he can nap in his crate.
1pm ‘ish (whenever he finally wakes up) - Out to pee/poop again
1-1:30pm - More Chewing/Playtime
2p - Out Again to pee
2p - 5’ish - Hanging out in the crate and sleeping if you have errands to run or something. Just make sure he’s got his Nylabone Nubby or other safe crate toy.
-Hanging out with you, if you’re home. Walk him.
-Use this time with him to pick up all 4 paws and mess with his toes and nails. It helps him to have this as an ‘every day’ thing, so when he needs to have his nails done, it’s no big deal.
-Look inside his mouth & inspect his teeth. He is teething and will be losing teeth soon. Watch for any signs of infection, or discoloration (yellow, or green around the gums, or dark that just looks wrong). Some bleeding is normal when he chews, as he is loosening his baby teeth.
-If he asks, take him out during this time block. But watch for signals that he may need to go.
-If he’s sniffing or sitting near the door, take him out.
-If he sits and pants when you know it’s not hot inside, or he whines, he NEEDS to poop!!! Take him out fast!
5:30 -6’ish - Dinner. Right after dinner, take him out to pee.
6 - 7p- Hanging out/Playing
-He may be getting into a lot of stuff he shouldn't during this time. Give him a chew, or his frozen Kong and he will be kept busy.
7-7:30 ‘ish - Walk.
-If people approach, stop walking. Tell him to "Sit" and to “Wait,” and he will sit for them to pet him, assuming you are working on this...You're not? Well, get on it Man! No time like the present to start teaching that dog some social manners. If he stands up, tell him “no, Wait” in a kind, but firm tone, and have him sit again.
-Do Not let people touch him until he is sitting; especially children. Keep Kids from grabbing or touching his face. Most bites happen to children by accident, because the kids don't know how to be kind to a dogs' space; that's your job at the moment.
7:30-9’ish - Chewing and Playing
9 or 10’ish- Out to poop/pee
-Into his crate for Bedtime.
Worn out yet? Just wait, the whole thing begins again tomorrow. You may have to modify this a bit to suit your particular family, but as close to it as possible gives your puppy the attention and exercise he needs to thrive, and to be a Good Dog.
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