Hi

So if you were to describe in a nutshell what stages/phases puppies are at - at around the five months mark - what would the description be please?

thanks

Maxine

More fearful, teething & ready to ignore commands as they reach adolesence. Is that what you mean?

Yep thats a start - also things like

do they still need a fair amount of rest or huge amounts of exercise
should they be easy to toilet train if they arent already
in a bitch puppy - when do seasons start and when should spaying happen?

thanks

Maxine

A guide to excercise is increase the amount of excercise per month by five minutes and then plenty of mental stimulation by playing and basic training.

Puppies normally can be fully house trained as in full bladder control from about 6 months upwards .

Lucy
xx

Castration is an option from six months on dogs primarily for anaesthetic reasons. Doing it asap cuts down many diseases/cancer risks to nearly nil but waiting for a season to pass or the dog to be fully grown has other affects on how the dog will grow/mature vis a vis bone structure.
Seasons can start as young as six months - with many being around the nine month age.
At five months, they will be sleeping less & be playing much more.
The guide to holding a bladder full of urine is an hour for each month. This is less for smaller dogs, however. I found that a two month old CKCS, for example, was looking to go every half hour when she was awake.

Ugly if they're tricolour Cavaliers! :-D My girl was awful at that stage - no stop and narrow long nose, she looked like a cocker! Other than that, I don't remember any troubles with any of our three at that age, they've all been pretty outgoing and friendly. :-)

I remember mine still needing out more often, still going to the toilet in the house, ugly as sin ;-) Ignoring what she was told (ok, she still is like that sometimes at 9 months :-) ) Chewing things left around that she shouldn't. Raiding the cupboards, if possible. Attention span of a gnat....

Bitches will come into season anytime between 6 months and 2 years, but not many go as long as 2 years. I wouldn't spay until she has had a first season, just to make sure all the hormones are in good working order. Same with a dog. I would wait until he was out of the teenage phase. Problems can occur with the growth of a young dog that was neutered too early. They can keep growing as the hormones haven't told them to stop. They can also be a bit more stroppy as they haven't finished growing up mentally.

Maxine, I have no advice. BUT why are you asking ;) ;) ;) LOL
Are you looking at a new baby?????? Oh I hope :)
(apologise if this is asking for someone else)
Lea :)

LucyDogs

Ugly if they're tricolour Cavaliers!
He he.... so true....

I was always told ( by the old-timers, of which I'm probably one myself now).....at 5 months old, if it's destined for the show ring, love it and feed it but DONT look at it.
I've have a few breeds over the years and I think it held true with most if not all.

Hi

Thank you for all your help - and for Lea -

I was going to foster a 5 month old pup - but it actually found a home too quickly for me!  But maybe I will offer to foster one of the others - I miss having Louis to walk and fuss over -

Maxine

And LucyDogs my remaining dog is a tricolour cavalier - I cant believe they every look anything but adorable  - heheheh - if a little plump nowadays!

Hi Maxine

just wanted to say I'm so sorry about Louis - I didn't know before as I don't read RB threads so only searched for your post because you said you missed him :(
For all the time he had you in his life, I'm sure he knew he had an angel.

{{{hugs}}}, Teri xxx

Thanks Teri  :)

spotty! dunno what it is about our bullies but they get teenage zits at this kind of age!

Have a look at our website Maxine, you will see the living proof of a Cavalier looking like an English cocker at that age. Thank goodness she improved again! :-)

Lucydogs - pm me the link to the website I'd love a look...

Maxine

lame usually!!