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

At 14 weeks, your golden retriever puppy is probably showing growing confidence as well as persistent puppy behavior. Our guide will provide you with knowledge to help you manage your puppy’s behavior effectively.

A 14-week-old golden retriever puppy is likely to be more curious and confident as they continue to explore their environment. This period, often referred to as the “Angel Phase”, is crucial for training and bonding. Teething can lead to increased mouthiness. It’s also a period for establishing schedules, routines, and beginning crate training.

But there’s more to your puppy’s development than managing teething and teaching basic commands, which we will cover in this article.

What Is 14-Week-Old Golden Retriever Behavior Like?

At 14 weeks old, a golden retriever puppy is in a phase full of growth and learning, marking significant behavioral developments.

This stage is crucial for their social development as they learn about their place within the “pack” and begin to understand basic social cues from both humans and other dogs.

Behavior changes are notable during this period. Puppies learn important lessons about biting and rough play from their early interactions with littermates, which can now be reinforced in their new home environment.

Gentle guidance from their human family is crucial to help them learn the limits of play and interaction, ensuring these behaviors are shaped positively.

Golden retrievers are naturally eager to please and are known for their friendly and trainable nature.

However, this developmental stage also sees them experiencing a fear phase, where they might react to unfamiliar objects or situations more fearfully than before.

This reaction is a normal part of their development and offers an opportunity for socialization and training to help them learn to respond to the world around them with confidence.

Additionally, mouthiness is a significant behavior at this age, primarily driven by teething.

This natural behavior necessitates understanding and patience, guiding them gently to chew toys instead of inappropriate items.

14-Week-Old Golden Retriever Behavior Problems

At 14 weeks old, golden retriever puppies are adorable and full of life, but they can also exhibit some challenging behaviors.

Understanding these behaviors can help you navigate this developmental stage more effectively:

1. Jumping on People

Puppies, including golden retrievers, may jump on people as a way of greeting or seeking attention. This behavior, while often seen as friendly or playful, can be problematic, especially as the dog grows larger.

2. Pulling on the Leash

During walks, a 14-week-old golden retriever might pull on the leash. This behavior stems from excitement, curiosity, or the lack of understanding of how to walk calmly beside their owner.

3. Destructive Chewing

At this age, puppies often chew on objects as they explore their environment and due to teething discomfort.

Golden retrievers, being mouth-oriented dogs, may chew destructively if not provided with appropriate toys.

RECOMMENDED READING: Do Golden Retrievers Chew A Lot?

4. Demand Barking/Demanding Attention

Puppies may bark to get attention from their owners. This behavior can become problematic if not addressed, as it can lead to a habit of excessive barking.

RECOMMENDED READING: Why Do Golden Retrievers Bark So Much?

5. Puppy Biting

Biting is a common issue in golden retriever puppies. They use their mouths to explore the world and play, but without proper guidance, this can result in hard biting.

RECOMMENDED READING: When Do Golden Retriever Puppies Stop Biting?

6. Digging

Digging is a natural behavior for many dogs, including golden retrievers. Puppies may dig out of curiosity, boredom, or to create a cool spot to lie down.

RECOMMENDED READING: Do Golden Retrievers Dig?

7. Aggression

While less common in golden retrievers compared to some other behaviors, aggression can occur. It’s usually a result of fear, protectiveness, or lack of socialization.

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

Each of these behaviors, while potentially challenging, is a normal part of puppy development. They reflect the puppy’s natural instincts, curiosity, and learning process. Understanding these behaviors is crucial for effectively guiding your puppy through this stage of their development.

How to Deal With 14-Week-Old Golden Retriever Behavior Issues?

For a 14-week-old golden retriever, understanding and managing behavior problems involves a mixed approach that caters to their physical, mental, social, and nutritional needs.

Exercise

Due to their energetic nature, golden retrievers need ample physical exercise to prevent behaviors such as jumping, digging, or chewing.

Activities like walking, fetching, swimming, and agility exercises can significantly help in expending their energy in a positive manner.

Ensuring your dog is adequately exercised can also reduce hyperactivity and the likelihood of developing separation anxiety.

Obedience Training

Obedience training is crucial for establishing communication between you and your puppy, teaching them desired behaviors, and preventing negative ones.

Training them to follow basic commands such as sit, stay, and come, as well as teaching them not to jump on people or pull on the leash, is essential.

Introducing commands like “leave it” can help prevent unwanted behaviors such as chewing on inappropriate items.

Mental Stimulation

Golden retrievers are intelligent dogs that require mental engagement to stay happy and prevent boredom, which often leads to destructive behavior.

Puzzle toys, treat-dispensing toys, and interactive play such as fetch or tug-of-war (with rules) are great for stimulating their minds.

Training sessions also provide mental exercise, as does teaching new tricks.

Socialization

Socializing your golden retriever from a young age is vital for their development into well-adjusted adults.

Exposing them to a variety of people, friendly dogs, and new situations helps them learn appropriate behaviors and reduces the chances of fear or aggression in unfamiliar scenarios.

Proper introductions and ensuring positive experiences during social interactions are key.

Health and Nutrition

Keeping up with your puppy’s vaccination schedule and feeding them high-quality puppy food suitable for their age is crucial for their physical health, which in turn supports their behavioral health.

RECOMMENDED READING: 7 Best Puppy Foods for Golden Retrievers

Chew toys can help manage teething discomfort and prevent destructive chewing.

How Big is a 14-Week-Old Golden Retriever?

A 14-week-old golden retriever, which is roughly around 3 to 4 months old, can vary in size and weight due to factors such as gender and individual growth rates.

By the age of 3 months, a golden retriever puppy typically weighs about 22 pounds.

By 4 months, male puppies can range from 25 lbs (smallest recorded) up to 44 lbs (largest recorded), with an average of about 30 lbs.

Female puppies at this age range from 22 lbs to 44 lbs, with the average being around 30 lbs as well.

It’s important to remember that these numbers can vary. Factors like diet, genetics, and overall health play significant roles in the development of a puppy.

Regular check-ups with your vet can ensure your puppy is growing at a healthy rate.

Why Is My 14-Week-Old Golden Retriever Biting?

Your 14-week-old golden retriever’s biting behavior is quite common and can be attributed to a few factors, including their instinctual nature, teething, and the learning process of exploring their environment.

Golden retrievers were originally bred for hunting and retrieving, which involves carrying game gently without damaging it.

This background contributes to their inclination to use their mouths to interact with their world.

Additionally, like all puppies, your golden retriever is going through a teething phase, which can cause discomfort and an increased desire to chew on things to relieve their gums.

To address and mitigate biting behavior, it’s crucial to teach bite inhibition, where your puppy learns to control the strength of their bite. It’s a process that requires patience and consistent training.

Here are several strategies that have been effective:

Use a Loud “Yelp” and Walk Away: Mimic the reaction a puppy sibling would have to being bitten too hard. This teaches your puppy that biting stops playtime and that gentle play is rewarded.

Redirect Biting: Offer your golden retriever puppy a chew toy instead of your hand or clothing. This helps them understand what is appropriate to bite.

Exercise: Engaging in physical activities can help reduce boredom and excess energy, which can sometimes lead to biting.

Socialization: Exposing your puppy to other dogs and people in a controlled environment can help them learn appropriate social behaviors, including reducing biting.

Positive Reinforcement: Reward your puppy for good behavior with treats, praise, or toys. This encourages them to repeat those behaviors.

Consistency in Training: Consistently discourage biting and reward good behavior to reinforce the lessons your puppy is learning.

How Much Should a 14-Week-Old Golden Retriever Sleep?

A 14-week-old golden retriever puppy typically requires about 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day.

This sleep is crucial for their development, supporting the growth of the brain, body, and immune system.

At this age, puppies tend to distribute their sleep across various naps throughout the day and night, ranging from 30 minutes to two hours each.

It’s also important to note that as puppies grow, their need for sleep will decrease, eventually settling into 12-14 hours per day as they become older.

RECOMMENDED READING: Do Golden Retriever Puppies Sleep a Lot?

How Much Should a 14-Week-Old Golden Retriever Eat?

For a 14-week-old golden retriever, a general guideline suggests feeding them about 2 to 2.5 cups of dry food per day, divided into three meals.

This amount is crucial for providing the energy they need to support their rapid growth and development during this stage.

It’s important to remember that these are general guidelines and individual needs can vary based on the puppy’s health, activity level, and growth rate.

Therefore, always consider consulting with your vet to adjust the feeding amount as needed for your specific puppy.

Feeding quality and routine are also essential considerations. Golden retrievers are known for their hearty appetites, and establishing a consistent feeding schedule can help manage their intake and prevent overfeeding.

Feeding times recommended for puppies from 2 to 6 months include early morning, noon, and early evening.

How Much Exercise Does a 14-Week-Old Golden Retriever Need?

A 14-week-old golden retriever puppy should engage in approximately 15 minutes of structured exercise twice a day.

This guideline adheres to the principle that puppies need about 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, per session.

Therefore, for a puppy around 3 months old, two daily sessions of 15 minutes each are ideal.

This routine could include activities like brisk walking on a leash or gentle play, such as fetch, tailored to prevent overexertion while supporting their energy levels and healthy development.

Conclusion

At 14 weeks, your golden retriever puppy is full of life and eager to explore. Regular training, socializing, and positive feedback are essential. Ensure plenty of play, expose them to different settings in a positive, controlled manner, and remember, patience and affection are crucial. This stage sets the groundwork for a balanced, joyful, and thriving adult dog.

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

What Are Golden Retriever Puppy Behavior Stages?

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

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

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

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

4-Month-Old Golden Retriever Behavior: A Complete Guide

5-Month-Old Golden Retriever Behavior: A Complete Guide

Golden Retriever 6 Months Old Behavior: A Complete Guide

Golden Retriever 7 Months Old Behavior: A Complete Guide

8-Month-Old Golden Retriever Behavior: A Complete Guide

Golden Retriever 9 Months Behavior: A Complete Guide