6-month milestones
What to expect when your dog turns 6 months old
Today, my blog Pressure Kukur completes 6 months. I was thinking about this blog’s journey so far and what is yet to come and was reminded of when Bailey turned 6 months old.
The 6-month milestone is an important one in a dog’s life. They grow fast over these 6 months, and it is usually around this time that their bodies and minds set course towards adulthood. Of course, a particular dog’s milestones and when they reach adulthood will be dictated by their breed and size. Generally, you can observe the following changes in your dog:
Physical Changes:
Around 6 months of age, dogs begin nearing their adult height and weight and may look like disproportionately stretched out puppies. Like adolescent humans, they may have a lanky appearance as they grow into their adult bodies. They lose their puppy coat and develop muscle mass. Their permanent teeth also arrive around this time — permanent incisors and canines usually grow before the 6-month mark, followed by permanent premolars and molars. You may see their ‘milk teeth’ around as they fall off. Regular brushing is recommended!
Beyond 6 months, you will notice your dog’s growth slowing down. Be mindful that your dog will still require adequate exercise and nutrition because the development will continue — it can continue up to 24 months based on the breed. Meals can now be brought down to 2 per day, but you should continue with a breed-specific diet that provides maximum nutrition to the dog. Dogs need plenty of stimulation and plenty of rest at this stage. 6-month old dogs need about 16–18 hours of sleep.
At 6 months, your dog should be on course with vaccinations — the first dose of Rabies vaccination, and the first dose + booster of DHLPP and Canine Coronavirus vaccinations should be done. You should now move to a 3-month gap between deworming.
Dogs usually reach puberty around this time. Smaller dogs mature faster than large dogs; this also applies to sexual maturity (some small breeds even mature sexually at 4 months of age). Your female dog may experience her first heat soon. Usually, the first menses goes unnoticed by the dog parent as the blood is lesser than subsequent periods, and the dog cleans it up before it can be noticed. Even if you don’t notice any signs of heat, you should be careful leaving your adolescent female dog unsupervised around unneutered male dogs at the park or boarding as accidental pregnancies are possible.
Male dogs that are 6 months old will also reach sexual maturity and may be prone to chasing away after a female in heat. You may also notice that your dog is distracted by other dogs of the opposite sex. Despite reaching sexual maturity, a dog’s body continues developing for about another year or more, depending on the breed. Although it means more care on your part, it is advisable to wait that long before sterilising your dog.
Behavioural Changes:
6-month old dogs begin exhibiting independent behaviour. They may be more comfortable spending time by themselves and prefer to sleep away from you for some time. Bailey had a phase where she slept under the dining table instead of in her bed in my room. However, comfort and convenience trump everything else for her. When the weather started getting colder, she moved back inside.
Adolescent dogs retain their puppylike curiosity. Since their senses are fully developed, they become adventurous and experiment by eating new things (from the trash, the park, your cupboard, etc.). They become more energetic and playful and may indulge in destructive behaviour if they cannot expend their energy. Use their extra energy and the newfound agility and coordination of your adolescent dog to your benefit. You can expend some of their energy by making them run in a safe space (please don’t let your dogs run off in open areas without recall training). You can also teach your dog how to fetch, which is a great way to teach your dog to ‘let go’ of things. At this age, dogs consider playtime as a reward — use that to train them where treats don’t work.
Your dog may exhibit regression. You may think your dog has forgotten training or seems to push the boundaries of acceptable behaviour (pulling on the leash, jumping on guests, etc.). You must continue training your dog even if your dog seems to stubbornly reject training on some days. Focus on teaching impulse control. Keep rewarding desirable behaviour with positive reinforcement and ignoring or correcting undesirable behaviour. If all else fails, seek professional help. Consistency will be your best friend.
Most dogs master toilet training by 6 months of age but remember that your dog will still need frequent toilet breaks throughout the day, even if they’re less frequent than earlier. Dogs can hold their bladder for about 7 hours at this age, so they should be able to sleep without having to go out during the night. This is roughly the duration of a workday too. If you plan on leaving your dog alone for longer than this, arrange for a place for your dog to relieve themselves (of course, you should train your dog to use this place before you do so), or for someone to walk your dog. Dogs of any age should not be expected to hold their bladder for more than 8 hours.
Social Changes:
You need to continue socialising your dog even after s/he has reached the 6-month milestone. It is even more crucial now because, at this age, dogs have hormonal surges and physical growth combined with an evolved sense of whom to trust and a better understanding of their surroundings. Your dog may begin exhibiting fear aggression at this age — socialisation and training will be beneficial in easing your dog out of this behaviour. Continue introducing your dog to new people, places and things. A lot changes in your dog’s life around this time, and socialisation ensures your dog builds confidence through it.
If you have older dogs in the house, you will notice them not going easy on your dog as often as earlier. This happens because they can sense that the younger dog is now a grown-up; they begin treating her/him as an adult. Your young dog will also try to push the boundaries with older dogs. Dogs communicate terrifically among themselves. Usually, you will not need to intervene. However, you will need to ensure that your dogs don’t get into a fight, especially if your adolescent dog shows resource-guarding or similar behaviour.
Sexual maturity will also impact a dog’s social behaviour. As mentioned earlier, your dog will be prone to roaming or running away and be distracted around dogs of the opposite sex. Look out for signs of mating behaviour in your dog, for example, a female dog flicking her tail around a male dog or a male dog trying to mount a female dog. That’s your cue to separate your dog from the others, preferably take her/him home. Never leave intact adolescent dogs unsupervised around other dogs. You do not want to end up with (or causing) an accidental litter (even if you wish to mate your dog, they’re too young for it at this age).
The 6-month milestone is the beginning of another exciting chapter in your dog’s life. Many dog parents expect things to be effortless as the dog leaves puppyhood behind. Because of their uninformed expectations, they do not anticipate the changes that come at this juncture, leading to disappointment and distress. Remember that the 6-month milestone is just that — a milestone on your dog’s journey to maturity. Be patient with your dog as they mature and navigate the many changes happening within and outside their bodies. A solid foundation will help to an extent. However, consistency in training your dog (get professional help if you need it) and a sound understanding of their physical, behavioural and social changes (and challenges!) will be crucial for you in navigating this phase. Consider the 6-month milestone your dog’s equivalent of a baby’s terrible twos, and do not give up on them; they need you in their corner!
