Your 1 year old dog
Congratulations! It’s your puppy’s first birthday. With the first year behind you, life should start to get easier.
The year ahead
Keep up with the training
Your dog may look like an adult, but at times will still behave like a puppy so it’s wise to keep going with the training as they start to test their independence and build their confidence.
The end of teething
You’ll be relieved to hear that most dogs will have finished teething by their first birthday, but that doesn’t always signal an end to the chewing phase. Chewing is a natural dog behaviour, but some dogs may chew furniture or other items in the home because they are bored or lonely. Make sure your dog has plenty of toys and company to keep any unwanted chewing at bay.
Switch to adult dog food
Now’s the time to switch your dog from a puppy diet to an adult diet – some smaller breeds move to adult diet sooner than this, at around 9 months. Follow the guidance on your dog’s food packet or consult your vet for advice.
Watch the weight
Keep a close eye on your dog’s weight. Dogs can easily pile on the pounds, which can cause them health problems, just like humans. Make sure you know how to monitor your dog’s weight to keep them fit and healthy.
Find the Perfect Puppy Class Near You
Discover small, friendly classes across the UK led by our expert, professional Puppy School Tutors. Get hands-on advice and support, to ensure your puppy gets the best start with positive, reward-based training.
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Testimonials
What Clients say
about Puppy School
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“Caroline was lovely, clearly knowledgeable, very approachable and patient.”— Sarah
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“We had such a wonderful experience with Jacki as our Puppy School tutor! She is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and supportive. Jacki explains training techniques clearly and makes them easy to follow, which really helped us feel confident. She creates such a positive learning environment where both the puppies and owners feel comfortable. Her calm, encouraging approach made a huge difference for our puppy, who grew in confidence and picked up new skills quickly. You can really see how much she cares about the dogs and their families. Thank you, Jacki, for giving us the tools we need to continue training and for making the classes such an enjoyable experience!”— Penelope
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“I would, and have already, recommended Puppy School! I messaged Julie before signing up as I had some questions about how the sessions would be run. Julie got back to me quickly and I booked easily online. Julie is very friendly, approachable and has a great deal of knowledge and experience to share. The classes were all very well run and very enjoyable for both pups and owners. The exercises were good and well thought out. ”— Charles
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“I wanted to share my gratitude towards my puppy school tutor in Chichester, Louise Williamson. She has really gone above and beyond to help me giving me lots of support, advice and positive encouragement.”— Emma
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“Attending puppy school had allowed Ozzy to learn new skills. During the classes Sarah and Adam were very friendly and always on hand to offer good advice and tips. They were also very understanding of Ozzy's needs as he can be a nervous at times.”— Susan