Characteristics of Dogs at Each Life Stage

1. Puppy Phase (Birth until 1 year of age)
Generally, most dogs are considered puppies until they are 1 year old* (* 1.5~2 years old for large dogs)
During the first 3~6 months, socialization occurs, which is critical to the establishment of a dog’s personality.
It is important to expose your dog to as many different experiences as possible so that he/she will become sociable and easygoing.
Small Fragile Teeth
After 4~6 months, dogs’ baby teeth begin falling out. Before the teeth start to fall out, their teeth are very weak and fragile.
Make sure to feed them soft food and stay away from solid treats.
First Year Veterinary Check-Ups
During this growth phase, you should take your dog to the vet often even if he/she is not sick. Dogs need to get vaccinated and spayed/neutered when they are puppies.
You should pay close attention to whether your dog has any congenital (birth) defect or genetic disorder.
2. Adult Phase (1~7 years of age)
After the first year of rapid growth, puppies become adult dogs. This does not, however, mean that they will behave maturely.
Adolescent Dogs
Dogs go through a rebellious teenager phase until they are about 2 years old. This is when they start misbehaving, often due to their excessive energy.
So it is best to go through basic training with your dog, such as basic commands (e.g., sit, stay, down) and house (crate) training.
Training your dog is especially effective for improving behavior such as overexcitement, habitual barking, and aggression.
Soft-hearted Adult Dogs
Once dogs reach 2~3 years of age, they become emotionally stable and calm as they adjust to the surrounding environment.
Nevertheless, you should not leave your adult dog alone since they can experience depression or separation anxiety.
Regular Check-Ups
Dog owners tend not to take their adult dogs to the vet as much. Even if there are no major health issues, however, you should always examine your dog’s appetite and his/her urine and feces for any irregularity and also take him/her to the vet for a regular check-up at least once a year.
3. Senior Phase (8 years of age and beyond)
Dogs go through many gradual changes during their golden years.
First, they are less active and develop age spots on their skin. While not noticeable at the beginning, their vision, hearing, and teeth all start to wear out.
Changing Daily Life
Senior dogs’ daily lives look different. While they may have run around vigorously during their youth, they now take slower walks.
You must also provide soft food and treats appropriate for your senior dog’s aging teeth.
If your senior dog cannot see very well, you can help him/her by dog-proofing the furniture and avoiding making loud noises.
Frequent Health Check-Ups
It is extremely important for senior dogs to get their health check-ups.
You must take a close look at your senior dog’s eyes, teeth, tongue, skin, as well as their urine, feces, appetite, activity level, and breath odor.
Senior dogs’ immune system tends to be weak even if they look healthy on the outside. Their health can quickly deteriorate if they are stressed out or are exposed to even a minor disease.
Therefore, you should take your senior dog to the clinic for a regular check-up every 6 months so that the vet can diagnose any medical issues that senior dogs are often prone to, such as heart or kidney problems, in a timely manner.
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