Not long ago your fur nose was a little puppy. But now he’s starting to tag diligently and is he behaving differently?
You may be wondering if your dog is going through puberty and what signs to look out for.
In this article we will tell you which symptoms you can use to recognize puberty in your dog.
Puberty symptoms in dogs: what are the typical signs?
If your young dog has suddenly forgotten everything he has learned and is more interested in smells other than your calls, then this is a sign that he is entering puberty.
Puppies are completely dependent on their mother at the beginning of their lives. But they develop quickly. Between the fourth and seventh month of life, your dog will become more and more independent.
Your dog keeps growing. In addition to physical development, his brain and metabolism also change.
From the 16th week of life, your puppy will then become a young dog. Male dogs often start marking during this time, and your sweet little puppy may be showing his boorish side more often now.
Some dogs also go through an anxiety phase at this age.
You can also easily recognize the beginning of puberty in your dog by the onset of the change of teeth.
In addition, a pubescent bitch may already be in heat and males may begin to lift their legs.
change of teeth
If your puppy starts to chew on hard things for a long time, the teething change may be in full swing.
This takes place between the fourth and seventh month of life. Your fur nose’s milk teeth will fall out and make room for the permanent teeth.
Changing teeth often causes itchy gums. For this reason, your fur nose has a particularly great need to chew at this time.
The change of teeth is therefore a symptom by which you can recognize the onset of puberty in your dog.
lift a leg
If your young male dog suddenly lifts his leg while urinating, this is a sign that he is now going through puberty.
By raising the leg, male dogs can mark higher spots.
So they don’t just stake out their territory from potential competitors, but also want to use this trick to convey to them that they’re big.
Sniff
In addition to marking your own territory, it is also interesting for your dog to see who is still out and about there and who leaves their «messages».
Therefore, increased sniffing is also a sign that your dog is entering puberty.
heat
Dogs reach sexual maturity during puberty. This is the first part of adolescence.
Because when a dog reaches puberty, it is not yet an adult.
Depending on the breed, bitches usually experience their first heat from the 6th month of life.
behavior change
Have you been practicing commands with a puppy for the past few weeks and suddenly it doesn’t care if you say «sit» or «down»?
This behavior is also a symptom of your dog’s puberty.
Because on the way to an adult dog, the hormones really mess up your four-legged friend.
Many a dog then forgets its good manners and shows itself to be downright boorish.
Fear
Suddenly your normally happy dog is afraid of big people. The man in the hat across the street is making him tremble?
Fear can also be a sign of puberty in dogs. This behavior is often related to its development, growth spurts and hormonal balance.
When you should go to the vet for puberty and what treatment options are available
If you have the feeling that your dog’s behavior during puberty is very problematic and maybe even aggressive, you can ask your veterinarian for advice.
In addition to various measures, he can also recommend homeopathic remedies.
Even if your dog no longer wants to eat his food due to the change of teeth, you can contact your veterinarian.
They can advise you and also rule out other causes for this behavior.
However, if your dog is exhibiting puberty symptoms, this is usually not a cause for concern or a trip to the vet.
Your fur nose goes through a completely normal development phase. It’s normal during this time that your dog doesn’t always react the way you want it to.
You should still be consistent in your upbringing. Take the wrongdoing with a little humor, however.
If you have problems with your dog during this sometimes difficult phase, it may also be advisable to consult a dog trainer.
He can accompany you and your dog with help through this phase.
Many dog owners also think about neutering their four-legged friends when they reach puberty.
Since this is an irreversible intervention in your dog’s hormone balance, you should seek detailed advice from your veterinarian.
Do you have any other questions about puberty in your dog? Then let us know in the comments.