Come your puppy’s fourth month of age, you’ll find her obsessed with gnawing on everything in sight with the teething stage in full bloom. You’ll also notice that the pup that was working so hard to earn your attention and affection last month is beginning to show some independence with a hint of stubbornness. Prepare to put your alpha hat on as you deal with ignored training commands and be sure to keep your 4-month-old puppy leashed up when you’re at a park that isn’t fenced lest you find yourself unable to catch a bolting ball of fur that won’t come when called.
Here’s what you should be thinking about with a 4-month-old puppy:
» Your Puppy’s Third Round of Vaccines
Once again it’s time to get your puppy to the vet! The good news is this is the last round of puppy vaccines. It is essential to finish your pup’s vaccines with this round because, if you don’t, you’re undoing all the good the first two rounds provided. One of the biggest misconceptions out there is that one booster is adequate when, in fact, your puppy is not fully protected until all rounds are completed. Learn more about the third round of puppy vaccines »
» Controlling Your Puppy’s Prey Drive
A puppy with a strong prey drive is actually very trainable. This drive, one of many, is the natural working instinct of a puppy. All puppies have some level of prey drive. This dates back to their days as wolves when eating and procreating were the most important things. This drive is activated by movement and its purpose is to catch food. The key is to harness this drive. Here’s how to do it »
» How to Help Your Puppy While He’s Teething
Teething for puppies is very harrowing and their main goal during this time is to alleviate the pain. They do this by chewing on everything in sight. You may notice little puppy teeth marks around the house as an indication that this has started. Other signs, besides excess chewing, are bleeding gums, a rise in aggression, and whining. But there are a few things you can do to ease your puppy’s discomfort. See our guide to teething »
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