How big will my puppy be when he is full grown?
Many veterinary experts predict a 4 to 5-month-old pup is roughly half his adult size. Your pup is probably going through a growth spurt, and will likely be adorably awkward for the next couple of months. Keep track of your pup’s growth rate. Fill in a puppy size chart weekly, and take lots of pictures!
P.S. Post your pups pics to Instagram, Twitter and FB and tag them #PupBox.
Where is My Puppy and Who is This Monster?!
Your puppy is 5 months old, and probably pushing your buttons daily. A 5-month-old puppy is a force to be reckoned with. King Kong, Godzilla, and the Incredible Hulk all rolled up into an adorable little ball of cuteness with a button nose. A few weeks ago your pup was following you everywhere. Now you have an increasingly independent toddler on your hands.
This is a normal part of puppy development, but does require you to up your game in regards to setting and sticking with rules, boundaries, and training. Failure to do so can lead to behavior issues that are challenging to correct once established. Keep using positive reinforcement techniques to reward the behavior you want to see, and start incorporating your training lessons into daily interactions.
Here are a couple of ways to incorporate training into your puppy’s daily interactions to make sure mental stimulation starts early. Try each of these and share your pup’s training with us on Instagram. Use hashtag #PupBox.
Always make your pup sit and wait before exiting your home. Make sure you have treats on you and lure your pup into a sit at the front door. Start opening the door and if your pup stands up close it quickly. Keep playing this game until your pup remains seated and waiting patiently with the door open. If you are consistent with this, your pup will quickly learn to wait for you everytime you leave the home.
Most puppies are highly motivated by food. If your pup waits anxiously for each meal and pounces on the food bowl then this is a great opportunity to work on some self-control. Before every meal, have your pup wait to eat. Place the bowl on the floor and tell your pup to stay, if he lunges for the bowl, pick it up and try again in 5 minutes. Start with a 5-second wait, then 10, 15, etc. Your pup’s self-control will get better with practice. This game will help in all different scenarios both in and out of the home.
Does your puppy jump up on you or your visitors? This is extremely common, and may even be cute when your pup was 2-3 months old. But a rapidly growing and clumsy 5-month puppy can wreak havoc on unsuspecting bystanders entering your home. Practice the “four on the floor” lesson when you come home to stop your puppy from jumping up. When you come home and your pup is jumping with joy to see you make him sit before you say your hellos. Give an ear rub and warm greeting only when all four paws are flat on the ground.
Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here)
I need some sensible advice – I planned to get a puppy at 3 months old but the breeder I am going to see has one which will be 5 months old and will also be available. I would like to know what the pros and cons of getting this one might be. I wonder as well if it has been returned for any reason and the breeder might not tell me why, if it will bond easily, change if routine – and things like that. If anyone has any advice Id be really grateful.
Ive had puppies from five up to eleven months before (just got an eleven month old rescue pup) of all different breeds and Ive never had any problems at all. Yes sometimes they need some extra training, but nothing major in my experience. Some breeds it is advisable to get them at three months old rather than younger. I think a lot of it depends on the individual pup and their circumstances, proceed with caution but it doesnt always have to be a negative experience 
.
What breed is it? Have you considered a rescue dog? If you go to a good rescue such as m.facebook.com/BlackRetrieverXRescue%3Frefsrc%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252FBlackRetrieverXRescue&ved=0CBwQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNHBnxIiw6cygaaKZ-dtzA5jy9sMoA&sig2=D3Td2tG0Mzh88-Sqp0yczQ” rel=”nofollow noindex” target=”_blank”>Black Retriever X rescue they will have fostered the dog to assess it before rehoming and will match the dog very carefully to the home. Weve had Trigger (GSD X) from them 3 months now and every day we see more of his character and its clear hes the perfect dog for us. My Mum and Dad rescued Abby from them and shes the perfect dog for them.
Why were you getting a 3 month old puppy?…8 weeks is the optimum age. There is no issue with getting an older puppy in terms of bonding or routine, Ive had rescues at every age from 6 months old right through to an elderly one estimated to be about 12, they settle in and we bonded fine. But why do they have that age of puppy? What socialisation has it had? What training has it had?… Good breeders do take back puppies, but, if thats the case, what happened in the time it was away? The other ok alternative is that they kept it as a show prospect and it isnt now a good one, in which case if its a good breeder it should be well trained and socialised. But, Id be worried that its simply a leftover puppy from a not great breeder that then hasnt had the appropriate socialisation and training.