PetsCareLab

From the moment your puppy enters the world until they mature into adulthood, they embark on an incredible journey of learning, growth, and transformation. During these early months, your puppy is evolving into a joyful, healthy companion who could enrich your life for the next 10 to 15 years. Prepare to welcome your furry friend home — or make these first months together smoother — by understanding their developmental milestones, care essentials, and training strategies from six to nine months.

Puppy Physical Development

Between six and nine months, puppies continue to grow swiftly, stepping into their adolescent “teenage” phase. By now, they should have all their adult teeth. If you notice any lingering baby teeth crowding alongside adult teeth, it’s important to consult your veterinarian to have these baby teeth removed, as they may cause discomfort or misalignment.

If you haven’t already arranged it, this period is ideal for spaying or neutering your pup. Spaying drastically reduces the risk of mammary cancer and completely removes the chance of uterine or ovarian cancers. Neutering lowers the likelihood of prostate disease and eliminates testicular cancer. Beyond the health benefits, these procedures can help curb certain behavioral challenges your puppy might develop as they mature.

Puppy Behavior

As your puppy reaches sexual maturity and their unique personality begins to shine, you may observe shifts in their behavior. This is often a testing time; your puppy might challenge boundaries and show less responsiveness to commands. This is also the peak of their energy levels, and without adequate engagement, they may find undesirable ways to entertain themselves — like chewing on your shoes or furniture.

If your puppy isn’t spayed or neutered yet, their attention may drift away from their human family as they seek out canine companionship. Altered puppies, on the other hand, tend to be highly playful with people but may require extra guidance to channel their boundless energy. With their full set of adult teeth now in, teaching impulse control through games that encourage dropping objects on command can prevent biting habits.

Puppy Food

At this stage, your puppy should continue eating a diet specifically designed for growing dogs. You might be able to reduce meal frequency from three times a day to two hearty meals. Consult your veterinarian for tailored advice based on your puppy’s breed and size, ensuring their nutritional needs are perfectly met. Additionally, discuss the appropriate monthly heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives to keep your pup protected year-round.

Puppy Health

By six months, your puppy should have completed their full vaccination schedule, typically administered at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. As previously mentioned, spaying or neutering between four and six months—ideally before a female’s first heat—helps reduce cancer risks.

It’s essential to socialize your puppy to tolerate paw and mouth handling comfortably, which is vital for stress-free nail trims and dental care. Daily teeth brushing, whether with a dog-specific toothbrush or moistened gauze around your finger, is highly recommended. Start these routines slowly to help your puppy build positive associations and avoid biting or fear around grooming.

Puppy Training

Sustain consistent training efforts during your puppy’s adolescent phase to keep their behavior in check. If you haven’t already, focus on teaching and reinforcing key commands like recall (coming when called), impulse control (waiting to grab toys or treats until given permission), and understanding the word “no.”

This is also a crucial time to provide abundant exercise to help your puppy channel their energy constructively. Reinforce good manners beyond obedience classes by practicing training at home, and always keep your puppy close to prevent mischief.

A Few Other Puppy Care Tips

One advantage of bringing home a puppy at this stage is their improved bladder control compared to younger pups, along with a budding independence. They will sleep less and engage in more enthusiastic play, so supervision and a puppy-proof environment remain essential.

Given the differences between infant and adolescent puppies, offering consistent aerobic exercise and establishing clear, firm rules—much like parenting a teenager—will support your puppy’s healthy growth and behavior development.