Puppy to Senior: A Dog's Stages of Life

Dogs are the most omnipresent and familial animals in the world. Their loyal nature, furry coat and adorable looks make them the most lovable mates. They have super good olfactory and auditory senses. Their interest in socializing resonates with the human idea of love and friendship. A dog’s life span is ten years on average, while a crossbreed can live for up to thirteen years. Of course, no one likes to say goodbye to their dogs, but it is critical to understand the life cycle of a dog.

So let's have a look at the four stages of a dog’s life.

Puppyhood

This stage in a dog’s life is very precious and fascinating to experience as a paw parent. They can also be relentless, needy, and exhausting, so you must be patient with your pup during these early stages of life. Just like babies, they pick up habits from their surroundings and so it's important that you behave positively around your pup. They learn the most during this stage, which helps them open to adapt to new changes. Use lots of praise to teach your puppy the behaviors you want it to learn. Your puppy requires ample attention during their few first weeks after you bring him home. Consult the vet to conduct a thorough examination and administer the right vaccinations required.

During this stage, it’s crucial to house train your puppies. Read this article on How To Potty Train Your Puppy In A Week

Feed your puppy high-quality dog food like Dogsee Chew that has the vitamins and minerals for a prolonged dog lifespan. Another trait of pups is their proclivity for destructive chewing. Chewing is a sort of mental stimulation for dogs, as well as a way for them to learn about their surroundings. Give your puppy Small Bars and keep items that you don't want chewed out of their reach.

Adolescence

Puppies transition to the adolescence stage between six to eighteen months after birth. Just like in the case of humans, this is a very challenging and confusing stage in a dog’s life. They go through disturbing hormonal changes. Their teeth might fall out making room for permanent teeth and also experience consistent shedding. This is an excellent time to begin obedience training using Dog Training Treats to ensure they develop into healthy, robust, and well-behaved adults.

Dogs' sexual maturity is marked by adolescence. This leads to the first heat for female dogs. When your dog is among male dogs, you may notice that she gets more lively and flirty. Some female dogs become more prone to roaming, so be extra cautious not to let your dog get away from you. Female teenage dogs usually need to urinate. They can get violent at times, especially toward other female dogs. Use training approaches to reinforce the desired actions, and keep in mind that this is merely a phase.

Adulthood

Adulthood in dogs occurs one to three years after birth. When a dog's height and size reach a level that is typical for an adult of his or her breed and sex, he or she enters this phase. Although your dog's size and shape may alter beyond adulthood, this period usually represents the conclusion of their growth.You've probably established into a pattern with your dog and they're pretty well behaved by now, but don't forget to continue rewarding the behaviours you want to see. Adult dogs require regular exercise and stimulating activities to keep them engaged and happy through senior age.

Fortunately, mature dogs are usually in the best shape of their life. However, it is still necessary for them to see a veterinarian a few times a year to screen for potential health problems.

Seniority

As your dog enters seniority, they are seen to be more affectionate and happy. In these golden years of their life, unfortunately, they experience physical challenges including severe joint pain, impaired immunity, and diminished stamina. Due to joint stiffness, many senior dogs have trouble mounting stairs and jumping up on furniture or into cars. To make their final years easy, it’s vital that you make some adaptations to your home and lifestyle. Different breeds reach this stage of life at different times, but it is critical for you to be aware of when your dog reaches this advanced period of life due to the adjustments required in its diet, nutrition, exercise, and health. Your veterinarian can help you determine when your dog needs to make these changes in its life.

Conclusion

The memories of good and painful occasions will live on in our hearts till the day we die. We always wish our dogs lifespan never had a limit. Dogs remind us that they can be wonderful companions and best friends throughout our lives. Nothing will ever be able to replace the void they have left in our lives.