When is A Puppy Grown-up

The holiday season has me thinking about young and young at heart.  A friend asked when I was going to stop referring to my poodles as puppies.  My response was when they are done playing.  Which I expect will be never.

They still race outside to play and will run and bounce non-stop all day if we let them.  This pays off on work days when they have to stay alert and focused all for the work shift.



I like to think that play helps relieve stress in the dogs.  Although an article I just came across did not support that winning tug games made much difference in a dogs confidence.  It does seem to improve the relationship between the dog and owner/handler.

Not just the poodles these two old hound dogs must have forgotten to grow up as well.  Bluestone still gets wild hairs and we still provide chews to him to prevent him grabbing miscellaneous shoes and turning them into a game of tag.  I am a dog trainer so why don’t I teach him to not do stuff like that?  Well the truth is I just love to see my old dogs be happy and playful and have as much fun as they did when they were babies.  One thing I used to tell my students over and over is don’t get frustrated with the zoomies or incessant soliciting play with you.  Enjoy it while it lasts, they will get old and arthritic all too soon.



Even after retirement buck still loves a good romp with the puppies.  Of course he goes in and sleeps for the rest of the day.  But so what.  How often do tell new puppy owners that a tired dog is a good dog.  I posted  as an example that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

A couple of guidelines for dog and puppy play.

1) Do not stress the joints on growing babies.  It may take years for large breed dogs to mature.  Marathon hikes or runs are not on the agenda.  Let your pup dictate how far and how long they play.  We brought the puppies on hikes but used a carry bag for the small puppy when she got tired.  We taught the older pups to ride in a wagon and brought that or pulled a dog cart with the trike on longer days.  That way they can run as far as they like bit can also have a break.  We have been known to carry puppies home.  That can take a lot of fun out of the walk for the humans when the little guys are not so little and far from home when they decide they had enough.  I recall parent friends with toddlers that had the same techniques for the small children on long day trips.

2) If you want your pup to return with the toy teach it backwards in the house.  Get the toy and give it to you for a treat.  You can do this while you are sitting in the recliner.  If your pup is prefers to run off and keep the toy use A hall way to play, so the pup can’t run away and turn it into tag instead.  As the pup tries to run past you don’t grab for the toy Use a harness with a short leash attached to grab instead.  Lots of praise and a treat in exchange for the toy.  or use a second toy to entice him to drop the first in exchange for yours.  (I call that the “grass is always greener on the other side” technique.  Some pups are natural retrievers some are more independent with their prize.  If your pup likes to have the reward so what let him do some victory laps.  (Unless you are doing formal hunt testing what harm in letting your pup do a victory lap or two.)

3) Always toss the toy the direction the pup is facing.  Twisting can potentially create injuries to developing back bones.  Also what good does it do if your pup does not see the toy land?  This is fetch not hide and seek.

4) For young or confused puppies Keep your toss short distance.  Also for the elderly dogs with sore joints, who says they need to run the length of your yard repeatedly to have fun?

5) Keep the game short and quit while your pup wants one more toss not after he is exhausted and or board with the game.

6) If you want the toy to be more exciting don’t leave it laying around after the game is over put it away for the next game.  Give your pup a chewy toy or calming massage so you can set up a habit of run and play outside then come in and lay quietly.

7) Remember your pup will reflect your attitude, if you are having fun your pup will most likely have fun.  If you are board distracted or frustrated he will probably reflect that as well.  There is no law that says you need to play for any specific length of time.

S0me high drive dogs may play through injury watch your pup for signs of discomfort.  Less enthusiasm for running or jumping, if you feel he is a little off stop the game.  Many large & medium breed pups go through growing pain stages.  If your pup seems a little off from play suddenly that may be a red flag for you to check on that.

Ok go have fun with your puppies, dogs, and elderly dogs.



Hoping my girls stay young at heart forever.  Have a safe and happy holiday.