Your 6 month old puppy
At 6 months old, your puppy is considered to be an adolescent. Be prepared for some teenage behaviour!
Things to do this month:
Spay or castrate
As your puppy hits puberty, they may become sexually interested in other dogs and start marking, straying or humping. Ask your vet about having your dog spayed or castrated to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Ask your vet for advice about when this should be done. Your puppy needs to be emotionally, socially and mentally mature before being neutered.
Dog training
You may have graduated from puppy school, but you’ll need to keep up with the training. Consider follow on classes. If you start to experience problem behaviour in your dog, it’s a good idea to seek professional help from a properly qualified dog trainer or behaviourist.
Common questions you may ask this month
How much exercise does a 6 month old puppy need?
An energetic 6 month old puppy will benefit from a good half an hour’s walk a couple of times a day. Mental stimulation is particularly important in young dogs, so make time every day for training, playing, sniffing and learning. Dogs love having the space to run around and have a good sniff – this is part of their natural behaviour. Take your dog to different places to give them a change to experience new smells. Check it is safe for them to be let off the lead, or use a long lead if you are still perfecting your recall.
How much will my puppy grow after 6 months?
At around 6 months, your puppy’s growth rate will start to slow down. If your dog is a large breed they will continue to grow, up until the age of two. A smaller breed may be close to their adult size by this age.
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Testimonials
What Clients say
about Puppy School
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“We are very grateful to Pen for helping us through a testing period with Zef, our boisterous 5-month-old labradoodle puppy, who was mouthy and jumpy and had difficulty settling.”— Wendy
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“I couldn't fault it! Debbie was brilliant from start to finish and I have already seen such a massive difference in Honey and her training. ”— Steve
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“It was a small class of 4 puppies which was perfect. Caroline was always in control but the class was relaxed and most of all the puppies had fun. I enjoyed every week and the manual reflected the practice each week so we could practice at home. I genuinely felt sad when it came to an end after 6 weeks. I will absolutely recommend this class.”— Mark
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“Big compliments to Claire! The way she just understands the dogs and being able to explain that has been a game changer. Her knowledge and expertise makes her a great puppy/dog trainer. I am already recommending Claire to everyone! She loves what she does and that shows. Would recommend to everyone with a puppy :)”— Emily
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“Frankie was amazing, absolutely loved going every week and so did Riley. We learnt so much in such a lovely and fun atmosphere!”— Jane