10-Week-Old Golden Retriever Behavior: A Complete Guide

As your golden retriever puppy reaches 10 weeks, you might find yourself both charmed and challenged by their ever-evolving personality and behaviors.

At 10 weeks, golden retrievers display behavior typical of puppies, such as jumping on people, pulling on the leash, destructive chewing, and puppy biting. These behaviors stem from their playful nature and lack of understanding of right and wrong, not from aggression. It’s important to recognize these actions as part of their development and not necessarily bad behavior.

This guide will help you learn the behaviors of a 10-week-old golden retriever puppy, how to overcome common behavior problems, and more!

What Is 10-Week-Old Golden Retriever Behavior Like?

At 10 weeks old, golden retriever puppies exhibit a range of behaviors that are part of their developmental stage. These behaviors are influenced by their genetics, environment, and early experiences.

Here’s what you can expect from a 10-week-old golden retriever in terms of behavior:

Exploration: Golden retrievers are naturally curious and are likely to explore their environment extensively. This exploration is crucial for their development but can sometimes lead to mischief or getting into things they shouldn’t.

Socialization: This period is crucial for socialization. Puppies are very receptive to new experiences, and positive exposures can help shape their behavior positively for life. However, they can also become overwhelmed if exposed to too much too quickly.

Playfulness: At 10 weeks, golden retrievers are very playful. Play is a vital part of their development, helping them learn social cues and boundaries. It’s also when they start to engage more with their owners and other pets in the home.

Learning and Training: Even at this young age, golden retrievers are capable of learning basic commands and behaviors. They are eager to please, making this a good time to start basic training, though their short attention spans require patience and consistency.

Attachment and Separation Anxiety: Puppies start forming strong attachments to their owners around this age. If not managed properly, this can lead to separation anxiety, especially if they’re not used to being alone for short periods.

Fear Periods: Puppies may go through fear periods, where they suddenly seem scared of things that didn’t bother them before. How owners respond to their puppy’s fear can impact their confidence as they grow.

Barking and Vocalization: Golden retrievers may start testing their vocal cords at this stage, barking at new sounds or when seeking attention. Understanding the difference between normal barking and signs of distress is important for owners.

Sleeping Patterns: At 10 weeks old, puppies still require a lot of sleep. Their energy levels can fluctuate dramatically between periods of high activity and needing to sleep to support their growth.

Potty Training: While potty training is in progress, accidents are common at this age. Puppies are still learning bladder and bowel control and require frequent opportunities to go outside.

What Are 10-Week-Old Golden Retriever Behavior Problems and How to Deal With Them?

10-week-old golden retrievers can exhibit a range of behavior problems, which, while challenging, can be effectively managed with patience, training, and understanding.

Common issues include puppy biting, jumping on people, pulling on the leash, destructive chewing, demand barking, digging, and, less frequently, aggression.

Puppy Biting

This behavior is natural for puppies and important for their development. It’s not a sign of aggression but rather a phase that typically subsides as they grow.

To mitigate biting, ensure your puppy is exercised, offer them suitable chew toys, and teach them bite inhibition through gentle corrections.

RECOMMENDED READING: When Do Golden Retriever Puppies Stop Biting?

Jumping on People

This is often a greeting behavior stemming from excitement. Training your puppy to sit for greetings instead of jumping can help manage this behavior.

Pulling on the Leash

This can be addressed by rewarding calm, non-pulling behavior with treats and praise, and by ensuring the puppy is well-exercised before leash walks.

Destructive Chewing

Puppies explore the world through their mouths, leading to chewing on inappropriate items.

Redirect this behavior by providing plenty of chew toys and removing tempting items from their reach.

RECOMMENDED READING: Do Golden Retrievers Chew A Lot?

Demand Barking

If your golden retriever puppy barks to demand attention, make sure their needs are met first (exercise, potty breaks, etc.), then teach them that calm behavior is rewarded, not barking.

Digging

This natural behavior can be redirected by providing ample physical and mental stimulation and by setting up a designated digging area, like a sandbox.

RECOMMENDED READING: Do Golden Retrievers Dig?

Aggression

Rare for the breed but possible, aggression can often be prevented through proper socialization and addressed with the help of a professional trainer if it develops.

RECOMMENDED READING: Why Is My Golden Retriever Puppy Being Aggressive?

Why Is My 10-Week-Old Golden Retriever Biting?

Your 10-week-old golden retriever is biting for several normal and manageable reasons.

Puppies explore the world with their mouths, similar to how human infants do.

Plus, biting is a way for puppies to play and interact with their siblings and learn the limits of their bite force, known as bite inhibition.

It’s essential, however, to teach your puppy appropriate biting behavior to prevent future problems.

Here are some strategies to help manage and redirect your puppy’s biting:

Socialization and Play

Socializing your puppy with other vaccinated dogs is crucial. Other dogs are excellent at teaching puppies the limits of play and bite inhibition. Puppy kindergarten classes can be very beneficial for this.

Bite Inhibition Training

Teaching your puppy to control the force of their bites is important. You can do this by yelping or giving a high-pitched squeal when they bite too hard, indicating that it’s not acceptable.

This method mimics the reaction they would get from other puppies during play.

However, if the puppy becomes too excited and doesn’t respond to this, it may be best to stop the interaction altogether.

Provide Alternatives for Biting

Always have suitable chew toys available for your puppy. When they start biting you, redirect their attention to these toys. This redirection helps them understand what is acceptable to bite.

Use Time-outs Effectively

If your puppy bites too hard, remove yourself from the situation. This action teaches them that biting leads to the end of fun and attention.

Using a baby gate to separate yourself from the puppy or leaving the room can be effective.

The goal is to show them that biting results in the withdrawal of your attention.

Decrease Bite Pressure and Frequency

It’s critical to first teach your puppy to bite softly before teaching them to reduce the frequency of bites.

This training should ideally be started early, as the window for teaching bite inhibition effectively closes by about 4.5 months of age.

Techniques include hand-feeding to promote gentleness and using vocal cues to indicate discomfort with biting.

Consistency and Patience

Understand that teaching bite inhibition and appropriate play will take time and consistency.

Puppies learn through repetition, so consistent responses to biting behavior are key.

What Does a 10-Week-Old Golden Retriever Look Like?

A 10-week-old golden retriever typically exhibits a notably fluffy and soft coat that’s lighter in color, which will gradually darken as they mature.

RECOMMENDED READING: Do Golden Retriever Puppies Change Color?

Their fur is incredibly soft to the touch and they often have a very playful, bright-eyed expression that reflects their curious and energetic nature.

At this age, their ears are proportionally larger compared to their head, giving them a particularly adorable appearance.

Their paws may also appear oversized, hinting at their future growth in size.

This stage is marked by rapid growth, so they will look more like puppies than their adult counterparts, with a more rounded face and shorter snout.

How Big Is A 10-Week-Old Golden Retriever?

A 10-week-old golden retriever puppy typically weighs between 15 and 20 pounds for males and 10 to 15 pounds for females.

This growth is part of their rapid development phase, where they start to showcase significant strides in size and behavior.

Around this age, they become more coordinated, displaying enhanced motor skills and agility, alongside their playful energy.

It’s also a critical period for socialization and beginning basic obedience training.

How Often 10-Week-Old Puppy Pee?

For a 10-week-old puppy, it’s crucial to understand that their bladder control is still developing, and thus, they will need to go out to pee quite frequently.

Puppies, in general, cannot hold their pee for very long due to their small bladders.

Specifically, puppies younger than six months are recommended to be taken out every one to two hours, with the frequency decreasing as they get older.

During the early stages of potty training, adhering to a schedule where you take the puppy out to pee every hour can help instill good toilet habits and prevent accidents inside the house.

It’s also important to note that puppies often need to relieve themselves shortly after eating or drinking, so be vigilant and offer them opportunities to go outside around these times.

Remember, every puppy is different, and factors such as diet, excitement levels, and individual bladder capacity can affect how often they need to pee.

Keeping a close eye on your puppy’s behavior and establishing a consistent routine are key components in successfully potty training your pet and avoiding accidents indoors.

How Much Should a 10-Week-Old Golden Retriever Sleep?

Golden retriever puppies, including those around 10 weeks old, generally need a substantial amount of sleep, ranging between 18 and 20 hours each day.

This extensive sleep requirement is due to their rapid growth and development needs, with sleep playing a crucial role in their physical and mental development.

Various factors, such as weather, diet, health, and levels of activity, can influence the exact amount of sleep a puppy might need.

For instance, hotter weather can make puppies more fatigued, leading to more sleep, while sickness or poor diet can also increase their need for rest.

Moreover, ensuring your puppy is engaged and not bored can influence their sleep patterns, emphasizing the importance of regular play and stimulation.

Observing your puppy and adjusting their routine and environment as needed can help ensure they get the right amount of restful sleep.

RECOMMENDED READING: Do Golden Retriever Puppies Sleep a Lot?

How Much Should a 10-Week-Old Golden Retriever Eat?

For a 10-week-old golden retriever puppy, the recommended amount of food can vary depending on the puppy’s energy level and the specific brand of food you’re using.

However, a general guideline is to feed about 1.5 cups of food daily, divided into three meals.

It’s important to choose a puppy food rich in natural protein to support your puppy’s growth and energy needs.

Always consult with your vet for personalized advice, as dietary needs can vary greatly between individual puppies.

How Much Exercise Does a 10-Week-Old Golden Retriever Need?

For a 10-week-old golden retriever, exercise should be moderate and appropriate to their age to avoid putting undue strain on their developing bones and joints.

A commonly suggested guideline is the “5-minute rule,” which advises no more than 5 minutes of structured exercise per month of age, twice a day.

So, for a 10-week-old puppy, this would translate to about 10 minutes of structured exercise, like a brisk walk or gentle play, twice a day.

This is in addition to the puppy’s regular playtime, which should be encouraged, but with careful monitoring to avoid overexertion.

As puppies grow, they can handle longer periods of activity. However, it’s essential to guard against activities that may harm their growing joints, such as jumping from high places or overly strenuous hikes.

Swimming is highlighted as a beneficial exercise for puppies around three months old due to its low-impact nature on joints.

Various interactive and mentally stimulating toys are also recommended to help manage their energy and encourage positive behavior.

It’s crucial to observe your puppy for signs of overtiring, such as increased biting or destructive behavior, which are indicators that your puppy may need more rest.

Engaging in a variety of exercises, including walks, playtime, and mental stimulation, can help prevent unwanted behaviors and support your golden retriever’s overall well-being.

Conclusion

At 10 weeks, your golden retriever is a sponge for learning, eager to explore but needing guidance. Establish a routine for feeding, potty breaks, and sleep to nurture security and predictability.

Training should be gentle and consistent, focusing on basic commands and socialization to build a well-behaved adult dog. Remember, every interaction is a teaching moment. Cherish this early bonding time – it lays the foundation for a lifetime of loyalty and friendship.

If you’re curious about the other golden retriever behavior stages, check out these articles next:

What Are Golden Retriever Puppy Behavior Stages?

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