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Pre-Puppy
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Pre-Puppy

What’s better than puppies? That’s right: your own puppy. So, what do you need to know before you take the plunge into pet parenthood?

0-2 months
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0-2 months

Welcome to the world little one. It’s all grow-grow-grow for your puppy right now, so there’s many things to prepare.

2-3 months
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2-3 months

Your puppy is ready to come home and turn your world upside down. It’s time to put your preparation into practice – and remember to take it all in!

3-6 months
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3-6 months

You’re entering a period of immense growth, lots of learning and new adventures. Bring on the play date with the big wide world!

6-12 months
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6-12 months

Your fur-baby is nearing adulthood. Can you see their grown self coming through? Sigh…they grow up so fast, don’t they?

12-18 months
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12-18 months

Your puppy has turned one and they might not be so little anymore. Make sure to book their first annual check-up.

18 months - 3 years
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18 months - 3 years

Your dog is one an established family member now. Enjoy who they have become and the bond you now share at this special stage.

3 - 8 years
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3 - 8 years

Your dog is a full-grown adult now. They understand where their place is in your home and the wider world.

8+ years
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8+ years

Just like many senior citizens, senior dogs have some extra needs. Learn to look after your best friend and support their health as they grow older.

How to Stop your Puppy from Chewing

Chewing is a normal behaviour in puppies. Besides assisting puppies to eat and consume their food, chewing helps puppies explore the world around them, relieves teething and boredom and plays an important role in the development of jaw strength. For these reasons it’s considered a self-reinforcing (rewarding) behaviour.

Puppies typically enjoy chewing on a variety of items, such as long lasting treats and chew toys. However sometimes puppies might chew on inappropriate items like plants, clothing, sticks, hoses and furniture. Destructive chewing can cause significant damage so it’s important to know how to prevent it.

To stop, or at least minimise, unwanted chewing it’s important that puppies are provided with plenty of opportunity to chew on appropriate items.

This involves providing things like chew toys and chew treats and rewarding your puppy with lots of praise and even special treats, whenever they chew appropriately. Try not to leave items lying around the house that might tempt your puppy. Garden hoses, shoes and clothing should be kept out of reach, at least until your puppy has passed the teething stage.

If you catch your puppy chewing something they shouldn’t try offering them an appropriate item like a chew toy or chew treat instead. Then reward them for chewing appropriately. You can also teach your puppy how to voluntarily “give” you the item rather than chasing them around and trying to retrieve it. Doing this can be a fun game for the puppy and encourage the behaviour. It can also result in the development of resource guarding which you want to avoid if possible. Instead, offer your puppy a high value treat when they’re chewing an inappropriate item. Once the puppy drops the item, throw the treat a metre or two away and immediately retrieve the item. When the puppy comes back to you ask them to sit and reward them again.

With time, consistency and repetition, your puppy will learn to chew on appropriate items. If they do chew on something inappropriate, you’ll be able to safely retrieve it without a fuss.

You can also try preventative sprays such as this.

If chewing becomes excessive, even past the teething phase, it may indicate an underlying issue such as separation anxiety.

Speak with your vet if you have any concerns.

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