Behaviour & Training

At four months old, your puppy is entering a crucial stage of development. They’re more confident, more curious, and their bond with you is stronger than ever. That bond is beautiful, but it can also make time apart difficult. A simple evening out with friends can feel like abandonment to a young dog who doesn’t yet understand that you’ll always come back. This is where separation anxiety often begins — and where early training can make all the difference.

At 11 weeks of age, your puppy is growing rapidly, exploring the world with curiosity, and beginning to settle into routines. While nutrition, training, and socialisation remain vital, grooming is another essential aspect of care that often gets overlooked in the early weeks. Grooming is not just about keeping your puppy clean—it plays a critical role in their health, comfort, and emotional development.

At eleven months, puppies are on the cusp of adulthood. They’ve grown in size and confidence, yet their playful quirks and curious behaviours remind us that they’re still learning about the world. This stage is full of amusing habits that make life with a young dog both entertaining and occasionally puzzling. Their adolescent energy often translates into behaviours that are both endearing and bewildering, giving owners a glimpse into the unique personality their puppy is developing. See some of the most commonly seem behaviours below:

At this stage, your puppy is curious, energetic, and beginning to settle into life with you. To help guide their development, three key areas deserve your attention: training, sleeping, and veterinary care.

In addition to training your dog, it is essential to learn how to interact with them to foster a fulfilling and harmonious relationship. Understanding your dog's behaviour and training them effectively will help you both get the most out of your companionship. Here are some additional tips and insights to enhance your obedience training journey:

Training your dog to "lie down" is a crucial command that enhances communication, establishes control, and promotes good behaviour. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to teach your dog the "down" cue effectively:

The pace of modern life means it’s not always possible to spend as much time as you’d like with your dog. Be warned, though, that a bored dog can mean trouble with a capital T.

Most dogs love their walks, but it can be surprising when your new puppy refuses to walk on a leash. Walking on a leash needs to be practiced, and your pup needs to learn that it can be an enjoyable time together.

Training your puppy is crucial for a happy and smooth relationship between you and your furry friend. By understanding the basics of puppy training and using positive reinforcement techniques, you can set your pup up for success right from the start.

Puppies chew, and chew, and chew. Most owners accept this behavioural aspect of puppyhood and learn to give their dogs appropriate items to chew. Otherwise, their shoes, clothing and even furniture bear the brunt of sharp, puppy teeth. Most owners expect their dog to grow out of this chewing phase but what happens when your adult dog continues to chew?

Toilet training is an essential part of raising a puppy. By starting early and following a few simple steps, you can teach your pup to do their business in the right place. Consistency and patience are key to successful toilet training.

Puppies have very sharp teeth, and they know how to use them. If you’ve been on the receiving end of a set of puppy teeth, you’ll know how much they can hurt. Of course, your puppy doesn’t intentionally set out to hurt you. What may start as a game can quickly become overexcited playtime leading to some painful interactions. Help keep playtime with your puppy appropriate (in terms of play and duration), fun and teach them to play safely with these handy tips.