Rolling in the grass may just look like your puppys favorite way to spend a lazy afternoon, but its actually how he cleans and dries his fur. – Eating plants and paper comes from the instinct to eat roots, bark, and grass. Puppies replicate this behavior, and its up to you to help them understand that there are healthier things to eat.
Circling before they lay down isnt always as common among puppies as it is with older dogs. But the reason behind it is that they are nesting and bedding down, as they would do in the wild. Your berber carpet or a forest floor—its all the same to a puppy. Puppies hiccup for the same reason humans do—their diaphragm spasms. This action is just a simple fact of life. (And its really cute to witness!) Bunny runs, those lightening-fast sprints around the yard, are designed to dissipate energy and aggression. Most mammals do this. Pat Miller, founder of the Maryland-based Peaceable Paws and author of The Power of Positive Dog Training and Positive Perspectives, calls this a “puppy rush,” although these bursts of energy are also called “zoomies” and “frapping” (frenetic activity period). Miller says the behavior is darn cute—and perfectly harmless. “However, if your pup does it a lot, she might be telling you she needs more exercise and interaction with you,” Miller adds. As for falling asleep while eating, again, puppies are like babies—they need plenty of rest and have no idea when to slow down. Sleep just sneaks up on them! Be sure interaction with your puppy is centered on activities that are positive. Avoid playing games of competition, such as tug-of-war or wrestling. Instead, Arrington suggests playing educational games—and working with your best friend to sit, stay, and come when called. “Nurture a puppy with gentleness and love, and he or she will turn out to be the best dog you’ve ever had,” Arrington says.
When Do Puppies Shed Their Coats?
Puppies lose their puppy coats between 4-to-6 months of age, although this time frame varies widely from breed to breed and can start at 12 weeks or wait until they’re one year old. You might not notice your puppy shedding, especially if she is a shorthaired breed, or the change could be dramatic. Some long-haired breeds go through a few awkward months known as “the uglies” and may look a little ruffled, patchy, or shaggy as their adult coats come in. Other breeds, like the Pomeranian, can take up to 2 years to grow their adult coat in fully.
Many people believe that longhaired dogs, like Collies, shed more than shorthaired dogs, like Labrador Retrievers. Although the long hair may be more noticeable on your clothes or couch, shorthaired dogs often have denser coats that naturally shed more. Even breeds that are non-shedding will shed a small amount of hair when they are puppies, although it may take longer for this to happen.
You may wonder whether the amount of shedding your puppy does is an indication of how much shedding he will do as an adult. It varies – there are puppies who will shed hardly at all but start shedding a lot more as an adult, and other puppies will shed more than they will as an adult dog. As an owner, you can play an important role in helping your puppy develop a healthy adult coat.
“A complete and balanced diet that includes the proper vitamins and nutrients is important for a proper and healthy coat in dogs,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKC’s chief veterinarian officer. “Ask your vet or your breeder about the best diet for your puppy. And be sure to give him plenty of fresh, clean water, because dehydration can cause hair loss.”
Regular grooming is an essential part of caring for any dog and is especially important as your dog’s coat transitions from puppyhood to adulthood. Grooming is a great bonding experience for you and your dog, and it also ensures that he is comfortable being handled all over his body. This is especially important for puppies growing into longer coats, as regular grooming is necessary for their health – and your sanity.
Proper grooming is also important to make sure your dog’s adult coat comes in healthy. If you plan to take your pup to a professional groomer, it’s a good idea to start when he is young. Look for a groomer you can trust to be gentle and patient. If you have a dog that will need to be groomed with electric clippers, you can hold an electric toothbrush near his puppy coat while you give him treats to get him used to the sound and vibration.
There are a variety of different kinds of dog brushes – bristle, wire-pin, slicker — and it’s important to use the type that’s most appropriate for your pup’s type of coat. Puppy coats often require a softer brush than the adult coat will, so ask your breeder, groomer, or veterinarian to suggest the best kind of brush for you to use.
You want to get your puppy used to being brushed right from the beginning – so be gentle and patient, give him a chance to sniff the brush, present a puppy toy for him to chew while you brush, and reward him with a treat when you finish. In addition to brushing, bathing your dog also helps remove dead hair. Be sure to use a no-tears shampoo that won’t irritate his eyes.
What if My Puppy Has Too Much Energy?
Some puppies are more energetic than others, which can depend on the breed or the puppy’s individual personality. The answer is often as simple as making sure they get lots of exercise and activities to tire them out physically and mentally.
That could mean games of fetch, enrichment games or long walks. Most importantly, use their energy and natural curiosity to train them and build a foundation for good behavior in the long term. If you’re concerned about your puppy being too energetic, talk with your veterinarian for more tailored advice.