A Guide To The Developmental Stages Of A Dogs Life

When you own a dog, it becomes a part of the family and the bond between a dog and its owner continues to grow throughout its lifetime. As a pet owner, you are likely interested in the development of the dog and in insuring that it gets all of the care that it needs in order to be happy and healthy. That is why I am providing you with the various developmental stages of a dog's life and what can be done in order to ensure that they are well cared for during those stages.

The first stage, or puppy stage is actually referred to as the juvenile stage of the dog. During this time of the dog's life, you will want to ensure that they are comfortable and are well exercised. Typically, a juvenile dog is going to want to play games regularly, including hide and seek. You may also want to consider other games that encourage cooperation between the dog and its owner. You should brush the dog on a daily basis and groom it occasionally, according to the needs of the breed. Training can focus on housebreaking and on teaching the dog basic commands. The dog's diet should consist of two or three small meals of a food specifically designed for puppies.

The adolescent stage of the dog occurs from six months to 18 months and this is when it will begin to develop rapidly. You should still focus on the comfort of the dog but at this time, you may need to begin some additional training in order to prevent or treat any problems that may be occurring. Your dog will likely need plenty of exercise during this time and depending on the breed, up to two hours of aerobic exercise may be needed. You should continue to maintain the grooming that was done during the juvenile stage of the dog and this is when you would want to implement flea and tick control.

The adult developmental stage of a dog's life occurs after 18 months and is typically going to continue until they are over the age of seven years old. During this time, focus on the comfort and exercise that your dog needs in order to be healthy. Each dog is going to have different needs in this regard, but you should maintain a regular exercise program. Continue grooming and training the dog, working on any problems that arise during this time.

As the dog passes the age of seven, it enters into a developmental stage that is known as the geriatric years. During this time of your dog's life, you will need to pay more attention to the equipment that is needed for the dog, including its bedding. The amount of exercise that the dog needs is going to decline during this time and you should be cautious not to over exercise the dog, especially when it is cold or hot outside. Continue with the grooming program, adding massage therapy and checking for any problems which would require the attention of a veterinarian.