Having the companionship of a dog is something many couldn’t live without. Households across the UK are full of the happiness a dog can bring, from when they are a puppy, all the way through to a wise older canine.
Raising a dog is a rewarding journey that will hopefully span many years, but it is also a big responsibility to take on. Lots of effort has to be put into this relationship by owners to help their pup live a happy, healthy life. If you’re looking to get a dog for the first time, you’ll need to be prepared for the various changes they’ll go through and be ready to help them each step of the way. Below, is a quick guide from the playful puppy years to a dog’s wiser and more senior years, helping you know what to expect.
The Initial Puppy Stage
Who doesn’t love a puppy? They are very cute and cuddly, bouncing around your home and getting up to all sorts of mischief. This is where your pup is learning all the time and exploring its surroundings, so owning a dog during this time is all about helping them develop into a confident and happy dog. They don’t stay puppies for long though, so be sure to enjoy this period as just like human babies, they go through lots of changes both physically and mentally.
-
Hopefully, when you chose your puppy from a responsible breeder or adopt, you already checked various things such as their ears, eyes, nose, skin and mouth, to ensure they were in good health from day one. Checking them over physically to look for any clear signs of a problem is important at this stage.
-
Continuously monitoring their development and thinking about their future health is necessary when they are a pup, including going to your vet for initial check-ups and arranging vaccinations. Your vet will become an important part of your dog ownership, and they will help to spot any potential issues early with routine check-ups throughout their life.
-
You’ll want to arrange suitable pet insurance from when they are a puppy. This way, you can cover the costs of vet fees if and when issues arise, helping you pay for emergency treatment so that you are not left struggling to finance this. Look for good pet insurance policies that can cover accidents or illnesses that might occur unexpectedly. Whilst they are young and generally healthy, it’s best to be prepared for the potential of unexpected vet fees if they do become injured or ill.
-
Socialisation is another key part of raising a healthy puppy. Introducing them to a variety of people, pets, and environments gradually helps them develop into a well-adjusted adult dog. It’s also a good time to start basic obedience training, such as teaching them to sit or stay. This will strengthen the bond between you.
Adolescence – The ‘Teenage’ Stage
If you thought your pup was a handful in the first few months, their adolescence is when they start to transition into adulthood, like being in their teenage years. During this stage, which begins at 6 to 12 months old until they are 2 years old, your dog may exhibit a surge in energy and start to find their independence a little bit. This, of course, brings unique challenges:
-
Behavioural training is key to help manage your dog's behaviour. You may find your dog will start to test boundaries and be more mischievous, so don’t worry if they seem less obedient – it’s just the hormonal changes they’re going through!
-
As your dog grows, their nutritional needs will change, so it's important to adjust their diet to suit their increased energy needs and support healthy development.
-
With more energy, they need more exercise. Regular walks and play are essential to manage their energy levels. This will ensure they avoid becoming overweight as well as prevent boredom-associated behaviours such as chewing things they shouldn’t. Make sure they have plenty of chew toys around and be sure to have lots of playtime with them.
-
Maintain consistent socialisation with other dogs and people to enhance their social skills, The more normalised these interactions become, the more they will feel confident and happy.
-
Regular visits to the vet will help to ensure your dog is developing well and to catch any health issues early. You may want to discuss with them about spaying or neutering, and if you are concerned about their adolescent behaviour, ask them for advice.
The Adult Stage
Congratulations on making it through the adolescent stage – it can be tough, but if you maintained a good routine with training and socialisation in the first two years, your dog will hopefully now be mature and settled, ready to be a good family dog or companion. However, this doesn’t mean you can relax too much, as they still need lots of attention and looking after. After all, this is the main stage of their life, so keeping them happy and healthy is a daily effort.
-
Keep your dog physically active to prevent them from getting overweight and keep to regular meals, avoiding high amounts of high-calorie treats or giving them leftovers (although it’s difficult to resist those puppy-dog eyes).
-
Their diet needs to meet their specific nutritional needs as an adult dog, but generally should be high in protein and fibre. Every breed is different when considering portion size, so your vet can assist with the right feed and quantity to avoid overfeeding.
-
Regular mental stimulation is important so that they can stay sharp and alert. It will also help them avoid feeling bored or left out which can lead to destructive behaviour. Use positive reinforcement when interacting with them using puzzle feeders, and keep training going. You could even go to dog training classes or agility as a fun activity too where they’ll meet other dogs too.
-
Visiting the vet annually is crucial throughout their adult life, so that any signs of health issues can be detected early, whilst any existing conditions can be managed. This includes regular dental check-ups, yearly vaccine boosters, and any flea and worming treatment.
Your Dog’s Senior Years
As your dog enters their senior years from 7 years old, their needs will change, and you’ll notice they will slow down and rest more often. You’ll need to adjust their lifestyle and diet to suit this, especially if they have any health concerns.
-
Regular vet check-ups may become more frequent than once a year as your dog ages. Conditions that are age-related such as joint pain or arthritis, vision and hearing loss, or anything more serious will need to be monitored more often.
-
Senior dogs often require diets lower in calories as it can be very easy for them to put on weight whilst less active. This still needs to be rich in fibre and essential nutrients to support their slowing metabolism and digestive system. Keep snacks and treats as healthy as you can to avoid weight gain.
-
Comfort is very important for your ageing canine, so make their bedding nice and padded and consider extra areas they can rest in the home, so they don’t have to walk too far. Make sure they can still comfortably reach down to food and water bowls and raise them up if needed, such as if they have neck or back pain.
-
Gentle exercise can be better than long, energetic walks. Don’t try to rush them, and adjust routes to be shorter if required. Their joints won’t be as flexible as they were a few years ago, so this will help avoid any injuries or joint pain.
No matter what stage of life your dog is at, they are still your companion and need your care and attention. Just like having children, you’ll have your hands full for many years, so as long as you are ready for the challenge and responsibility, including the financial aspects, there are few more rewarding experiences than raising a dog.
Be sure to choose a good vet whilst they are a puppy and don’t hesitate to contact them when it comes to your dog’s health and wellbeing. They, along with other dog owners you may already know, will provide the perfect support network for you and your pup.
