"Dogs that are active and curious when young will remain active and curious when they get old, but only compared to other dogs. A dog's personality changes over time, and, on average, every dog becomes less active and less curious as they age."
Pet owners know that most dogs naturally grow out of their “puppy energy” as they age out of the puppy stage, which means your dog will likely spend more time snoozing and less time playing as he or she gets older.
Overweight pets tend to have less energy, and may also have painful joints or other health issues, all of which can limit play behavior. Older dogs may have additional health issues that restrict play. Arthritis pain can make play painful, while brain aging can decrease a dog's ability to respond to his environment.
Most puppies start to calm down as they approach their maturity age, which is usually around 12 months, but for larger breeds it can be more likely to occur between 18 months and 2 years.
If your dog is slowing down, acting tired, or refusing to play like they used to, chances are they're not simply being lazy. Pets who act lethargic or show signs of exercise intolerance may have a serious underlying condition. In particular, this may be caused by a serious condition like heart disease.
Causes of lethargy
Obesity - overweight dogs tend to feel lethargic and move around less. Pain - anything that causes pain or discomfort (for example arthritis) is likely to make your dog feel lethargic. Heart disease - low energy is a common symptom of heart disease in dogs.
There are a few reasons a dog may become quieter than usual: pain, stress, or boredom. While a quieter dog may not feel like such a "problem" to us, it's important to make sure their behavior change isn't a sign of a bigger medical or behavioral issue.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
From Birth to 10 Weeks
They have boundless energy and curiosity. They spend most of their day playing and learning the foundations of being a dog: chasing, running, pawing, biting and fighting.
Oftentimes, as a dog becomes an adult, you might actually see them cuddle less. They are learning to be independent – which is an excellent skill to prevent separation anxiety! However, there are dogs that do grow to love cuddling more with age.
Like humans, dogs go through a rebellious “teenager” phase (around 5 months to 18 months). During this time, they'll often test their owners, seeing what they can get away with. Being firm and consistent with your training will help establish boundaries.
The Truth: Dogs and people remain playful into adulthood, which may partially explain why we've been best friends for thousands of years. Many older dogs stop playing only because they no longer have buddies to play with. Keep playing with your dog well into old age. It's part of what makes them dogs and us human.
Undesirable behaviours such as barking, chewing, counter surfing, house-soiling and jumping up commonly begin to occur at around 3-6 months of age.
It is okay to have feelings of regret about getting a puppy. It doesn't make you a bad person and it doesn't mean you shouldn't have your puppy. Feeling inadequate as a pup parent is quite common, but luckily there are things you can do to help with those feelings!
Lethargy in dogs can be caused by everything from anxiety and fear to infections, cancer, and other medical issues. If your dog is lethargic, you may also notice symptoms such as slow reactions and a lack of interest in playing.
A rest day is free from any walks – no interaction with the outside world at all. It allows our dogs to relax and have calm experiences for a day. This, in turn, means no further cortisol is being produced, as well as allowing the already existent levels to deplete.
Your Dog Starts Misbehaving
Bored dogs might also occupy themselves by chewing on furniture, digging in the garbage can or barking incessantly. If your dog suddenly shows signs of bad behavior, they likely need some attention.
Have you ever wondered which dog breeds are the naughtiest? Well, new research has identified the most mischievous mutts causing havoc at home – and the fluffy white Japanese Spitz has topped the list.
In conclusion, one can learn things about a puppy's temperament as early as 4-5 weeks, although the older they get the more you can learn and the more reliable a temperament test. By 6-8 weeks, a breeder should be able to tell you many details about your pup's personality.
The study of 4,000 dog owners showed that dogs who don't engage in a lot of play suffer from behavioral issues such as anxiety and aggression. Less play time also leads to an increase in whining, jumping up, and not coming when called. Scientists are beginning to agree that play is the key to a dogs happiness.
Exercise needs are based on a dog's age, breed, size and overall health. However, it is generally recommended that your dog spend between 30 minutes to two hours being active every day—and not just on the weekends.