What to Expect from Your 9-month-old Puppy

Dogs

Sometime after your dog reaches 6 months, he or she will plunge headlong into canine adolescence – where hormones rule. He tears through the house, leaving a mess in his wake. She's suddenly shy and her happy personality has dissolved into moodiness. Like people, dogs react differently to puberty. Some have an easier time of it than others, but a "teenage dog" of any breed can display unpredictable, even uncharacteristic behavior – which can last an entire year. Behavior seems to depend more on the individual dog than on the breed.

The following list will help you know what to expect from your puppy as he develops.

How Big? Most small to medium sized 9-month-old dogs are approximately 80 % of their adult size. Larger breed dogs may mature later.

Teething - 9-month-old dogs will have all of their permanent teeth, which include 42 teeth. Take care of them with daily brushing.

Senses - By 9 months of age, most dogs have a very keen sense of hearing, vision, taste and smell. Most dogs can differentiate one dog (and human) smell from another.