Your 4 month old puppy
Your puppy should now be sleeping through the night and be house trained, but be prepared for the occasional accident. Here’s what to expect with your 4 month old puppy.
Things to do this month:
Puppy behaviour
Your puppy will be full of energy and will need lots of opportunities to burn it off and learn to play nicely. Spend time playing with your dog so they get lots of mental stimulation and give them plenty of toys to play with so they don’t become bored. But don’t forget to make sure they get plenty of time to relax and sleep too.
Pet grooming
You may want to take your puppy to the grooming salon for their first cut and blow dry. Most dog groomers offer an intro session for puppies to get them used to going to and being handled by the groomer. Stay with your puppy the first time they go the groomers, keep it short and take lots of tasty treats. This will help to make going to the groomers a positive experience for your puppy. Brush your puppy regularly at home so they happy about being groomed and to keep their coat dirt and tangle free.
Adult teeth
By now your puppy should have lost most of their baby teeth and be starting to get adult teeth. Make sure they have plenty of teething chews to prevent them from chewing on your clothes and furniture.
Feeding time
Your puppy will be growing fast but will still need to be a puppy diet until they are 9 to 12 months old. Regularly weigh your puppy to make sure you’re feeding the right amount of food for their weight.
Common questions you may ask this month
My 4 month old puppy is scared of everything
It’s quite common at around 4-6 months old for a previously outgoing and confident puppy to become shy and fearful. This is called a fear phase. You can help your puppy to overcome their fear by encouraging – but not forcing them – to engage in new experiences, and reward them with lots of praise and treats when they do. Listen to your puppy and if they are reacting fearfully, give them some space and let them decide in their own time if they would like to approach and investigate.
My puppy is still having accidents at 4 months
Just when you think you’ve cracked it, your puppy will suddenly pee or poo in the house. Sound familiar? It’s not uncommon for puppies to regress with their toilet training. Stick with the toilet training routine, just until your dog has fully learned to tell you when they need to go out and you know their signal. Sometimes, if a puppy suddenly starts peeing in the house after a period of being clean, it can be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Speak to your vet for advice if you are concerned.
Support for you during your puppy’s first year
Wishing your puppy came with an instruction manual? Join our Puppy Parenting Club for step-by-step advice and tools to support you through the first year.
