127.Mental needs in your adolescent dog are high. Fulfilling these needs will reduce boredom, stimulate his mind, teach concepts, and reduce his need to follow his instincts. You can fulfill his mental needs mostly by working obedience training, whether in your home or in other locations. Keep the training interesting and thought-provoking to pique their interests.
Language and Learning Perspectives
128.“It’s all Greek to me!” In puberty, a puppy must learn a communication system that will replace the old system of dog language.If he does not learn this system that we call obedience training, he will continue to rely on his instinctual canine communication skills. Instinctual skills for a dog involve barking, mouthing, and body language to communicate concepts.The new language, obedience training, helps the dog learn words, their meanings, and ultimately our expectations by how we use them.
129.In the beginning (around five months of age), approach training like a game for your puppy. Begin slowly and positively, like a first-grade teacher would with children. Making it fun means that your dog will embrace the idea of training and learning for the rest of his life.
130.At six to nine months, increase the workouts.Make some lessons longer and some more difficult.
131.As you try to develop a work ethic, add some “plain ol’ fun”training sessions to your routine.This will keep your dog feeling like he’s “winning” and succeeding. If it isn’t always tough, he will remain eager to learn from you.
Physical Needs
132.Physical needs escalate in these stages of life. One to three walks and/or runs each day is a fair number to expect for your adolescent dog.The amount and duration of these activities will vary according to breed, size, climate, and personality.
133.Keep your dog well exercised to relieve stress and to balance the mental work he needs to be doing. In this stage of teaching and directing, exercise serves as a balance to all of the learning you are asking him to do. While mental work is something he needs, there is nothing like a good dose of physical exercise to release energy and pent up stress!
134.Brave it and bundle up! Exercise will still be most desired by your dog even in the dead of winter.Do your best to bundle up and exercise your dog even in the snow (if your dog’s breed and size can handle it).The good news is that it will take less time to exercise them in the snow since it will tire them more quickly! Daily exercise will help to compensate for the lack of social interaction that sometimes occurs at this time of year.
135.Take precautions to avoid frostbite on your dog. Less time outdoors in the cold, avoiding direct contact with ice, and using coats for small dogs or breeds with shorter coats are all good precautions. Avoid any outdoor activity if the weather is especially threatening.
136.Hot Fun in the Summertime! While summer is a great time to exercise your dog outdoors, be cautious of the extra hot or humid times of the year. Do either shorter walks, alternate swimming activities, or walks early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the hottest times of day
137.Your dog may especially enjoy one physical activity over another, or a variety of activities. Some of those include walking, running, fetch, hiking, swimming, retrieving, and Frisbee.Vary your activities to keep your dog enjoying outdoor fun, or simply key in to his favorite one and supply plenty of this for balance in his life!
Social Needs
138.Your dog’s social needs in these stages are as high as their mental and physical needs. Your dog is taking in everything about his world right now like a giant “social sponge.” He is curious to learn about his world, so input and integration with many people, places, and things is necessary to create a well-rounded dog.
139.The deep winter and the hottest summer season can cripple a dog’s critical learning period. If you’re raising a youngster during these times, you risk your dog losing her most critical imprinting time for learning about the world. Be creative and diligent about getting your impressionable puppy the proper social exposures during these tricky times.
140.Avoid social “cabin fever” by taking him to indoor social venues like pet stores or dog shows.Go to covered strip malls and walk, to at least have your dog continue to see people and be in a social scene.
141.Summer swelter can also put a snag in your dog’s social life if it’s too hot to go outside.Try indoor social activities the same way you would during winter, or simply go to a park with a bowl of water for her and a bottle of water for you,and sit in the shade and enjoy being in a social environment without exerting any energy!
Rest Needs 142.Your dog’s rest needs vary during this stage.Generally speaking,the amount of rest your dog needs will decrease as she gets older.Early in the adolescent stage your dog will still need to have rest periods scheduled for her.Later in the adolescent stage she will learn to rest on her own.Rest is used to avoid physical injury and to prevent behavior accidents in curious teenagers. Be aware of the different needs in each stage.
143.As maturity sets in and the leaders are leading their pets, the amount of rest a dog needs as prevention wanes a bit. Selfcontrol and manners are being built, so physical and mental “accidents” are less likely to occur. Expect this balance to shift as your dog grows. 144.If her mental and physical needs are met to a high degree,your dog might need more rest in a proportional fashion. If the mental and physical needs are not met,then your dog might need less rest and more stimulation.
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