Friends for a Lifetime: From Puppy to Senior

Puppies usually move in with their new family at the age of a few weeks. During this time, small dogs are in the middle of the socialization phase. They are very curious at first and then very cautious and sometimes anxious. The older they get, the more they test boundaries.

After four months or so, adult teeth start to come in and at six to twelve months, sexual maturity marks the start of puberty – two milestones at which your fur-kid will likely test your patience! Our tips for puppy education will help you prepare for these challenging periods.

In order for your four-legged friend to feel comfortable with you from the start, he needs loving care, exercise and activity. Robust puppy toys, treats and cuddly cushions are therefore just as much part of the basic equipment for puppies as grooming and dental care accessories.

Educational aids, training documents or dog leashes make your life easier. Because practice is early: puppies need a consistent but loving upbringing and a lot of human contact. Fortunately, small dogs are extremely curious. That makes education easier.

Key lessons in puppy training include:

• Settling into the new home
• Housebreaking and lead walking
• Establishing boundaries
• Teaching them not to bite
• 'Fetch' and 'Stay' commands
• Short periods on their own

One of the challenges for adult dogs is the transition from puppy to adult food. Slowly introduce the new food over several days and follow the feeding amount guidelines.

What makes a great diet for adult dogs?

• Meat or fish at the top of the list of ingredients.
• Zero artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
• If feeding dry, choose a kibble size and shape that suits your four-legged friend.
• Your dog likes the taste!

Neutered dogs often require a special diet as their energy needs decrease while their appetite increases. Changing the food before the procedure will later reduce the stress for you and your four-legged friend.

Like humans, dogs never stop learning. You have done important prep work with your basic puppy training but now it is important to be consistent with the rules, and to offer your dog new and engaging things to learn.

Have you adopted an adult dog? Even adult four-legged friends can still learn to stay alone or walk on a lead. Training is often even easier than with puppies. If you are struggling with an unwanted behaviour, take a look at our adult dog training tips.

When your dog has reached their breed-typical height at the top of the shoulder blades and their full weight, physical and skeletal development is complete. This is the perfect time to try different dog sports and activities!

Whether jogging in the park or agility training on an obstacle course – exercising together keeps both dog and owner fit.

Promote the health and vitality of your four-legged friend even as they get older - with a menu that is tailored to their needs.

Ideally, senior-friendly dog food is:

• Nutritious
• Reduced calories
• Easy to digest
• High-quality

When your four-legged friend starts to turn grey and slow down physically, he has reached retirement age.

The exact age that your furry friend can be classed as 'senior' depends on the breed of dog. Small breeds of dogs often have a longer life expectancy than large breeds. The dog's teeth are one of the indicators of the dog's age.

With senior-friendly accessories, and a lot of patience and understanding, you can make everyday life easier for your dog in this phase.

5 signs your dog is aging:

• grey, shaggy or dull coat and hair loss
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• Joint and bone problems as a result of bone loss or arthrosis
• decreased hearing, vision and smell
• increased urination due to bladder weakness

If old dogs occasionally fail to follow commands, impaired hearing can be the cause. If, on the other hand, omissions occur more frequently, this could indicate dementia.

About 30 to 60 percent of dogs older than seven years show symptoms. Plan Alzheimer's therapy with the veterinarian as soon as possible after the symptoms appear. Dietary measures, medication and mental stimulation can slow down the disease.