A 9 month old Labradoodle will be nearing their adult size and growing into their personality! But, there are still some challenges to overcome at this age.
- 9 month old Labradoodle size guide
- Feeding a 9 month old Labradoodle
- Personality and behavioral changes
- Training and exercise needs
- Grooming your 9 month Labradoodle
A 9 month old Labradoodle will be fully settled in your home, and taking up a lot more space than they did as a younger puppy. Depending on the type of Labradoodle you own, they’ll either be at, or close to, their adult size. But, this age can bring about some other challenges, such as increased confidence and wilfulness, an adult coat, and a second fear period.
Owning a Teenage Labradoodle
At 9 months old, a Standard Labradoodle will be well on their way to adulthood. Many will be close to their adult height, but will still have some growing to do in terms of packing on mass. This can result in puppies that look long and lanky! By this point, they will have been living with you for several months, and in that time it’s likely that their confidence will have grown considerably.
This increased confidence can mean that many Labradoodles act like they’re pushing at boundaries, sticking their noses in places they shouldn’t, and seeing what they can do to get a reaction from you. It’s the dreaded adolescent period! But, with good training, reward-based techniques, and a lot of patience, you’ll be able to maintain a strong, positive relationship.
This complete guide will take a closer look at all major parts of life with a 9 month old Labradoodle. To kick things off, let’s take a closer look at how an adolescent Labradoodle will look.
9 Month Old Labradoodle Size
At 9 months old, a Labradoodle will be getting close to their adult height. And, if you own a Miniature Labradoodle, they’ll likely be at their adult height by now. As a general idea, many 9 month Standard Labradoodles will stand somewhere between 19 and 22 inches tall at the shoulder.
However, since all Labradoodles are different, you should take Labradoodle growth chart figures with a pinch of salt. It doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with your Labradoodle if they aren’t in this height range at 9 months old. Mixed breed dogs can be unpredictable, so their adult height can be quite varied from one dog to the next. Especially if you have a first generation mix.
How Much Should a 9 Month Old Labradoodle Weigh?
Though Labradoodles at this age are close to their adult heights, they usually still have quite a lot of mass to pack on. This can result in puppies that look lanky and slim. There’s nothing wrong with your Labradoodle if they look like this! In fact, this is healthier than a chunky 9 month Doodle, which is usually the result of an overweight dog!
The smaller your Labradoodle’s adult size, the closer to their adult weight they’ll be at 9 months old. Generally, Labradoodles at this age range from 50 to 70 lbs. Those that are going to be smaller adult dogs may not put on much weight from this point, staying at around 50 lbs. But, those that are naturally larger and still have some growing to do could put on quite a bit more weight and mass over the upcoming months.
When is a Labradoodle Fully Grown?
A Standard Labradoodle will be a large dog breed. But, some varieties of Labradoodle are naturally smaller. The larger your Labradoodle’s adult size, the longer it takes them to be fully grown. So, at 9 months, a Miniature Labradoodle will usually be at their adult size. Medium Labradoodles will usually have a couple more months of growing to do. And Standard Labradoodles can take up to 18 months before they’re fully grown.
This doesn’t mean they’ll keep growing at the same rate throughout this period. In fact, most of the intense, fast growth will happen before 9 months of age. But, your Labradoodle’s body will continue to develop and change up to 18 months. Usually in the form of building muscle and some slow growth.
Adult Standard Labradoodle sizes can be up to 24 inches tall, weighing up to 80 lbs. Males tend to be larger than females. So, if you have a large male puppy, they could grow a surprising amount more over the next 9 months.
How Much Food Does a 9 Month Old Labradoodle Need?
Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to how much food a 9 month Labradoodle needs. This is because all Labradoodles will vary in size and therefore will have different caloric needs. Alongside the size of your dog, factors that influence meal sizes will include activity levels, quality of food, and so on.
Most commercial dog foods will have a feeding chart or guide on their packaging. But, the measurements on these should only be used as a starting point. Instead, monitor your dog’s body condition. If their ribs are becoming very prominent and they appear lethargic, they may need more food. If you struggle to feel their ribs at all, meal sizes should be reduced – but speak to your veterinarian before doing this to ensure you are doing so safely.
A 9 months, a Standard Labradoodle is still a puppy. So, they should still be eating a dog food designed for puppies. Some Labradoodles will still be eating 3 meals a day at this point, but others may be able to transition to only two meals. Just remember to subtract the calories of any training treats from your dog’s daily calorie allowance.
The Best Food for 9 Month Old Labradoodles
Dog food comes in a huge range of forms, and each type has various pros and cons. Commercial options are most common as dry kibble pieces or wet food set in jelly or gravy. Some people prefer making their dog’s meals at home, with a raw or homemade diet. But, it’s important to work with your veterinarian if this is your preference, as it is easy to miss out important nutrients. Deficiencies like this could lead to severe health problems.
At 9 months old, a Miniature Labradoodle might be ready to transition to an adult dog food. But, a Standard Labradoodle will still have potentially 9 months of growing left to do. So, they will be best staying on a food designed for large breed puppies.
Personality Changes and the Second Fear Period
A 9 month old Labradoodle will be much more confident than their younger self. So, they’ll be happy exploring the home, investigating new things, and making their own fun. This leads to the idea that puppies at this age are naughty, but more often than not they are simply exploring the world around them.
Responding to unwanted behavior by shouting, chasing, and so on can actually encourage such behaviors, as bored Labradoodle puppies will enjoy the attention. Instead, make sure your Labradoodle is getting the right amounts of exercise and mental stimulation. Remove access to things they should not have and reward calm behavior. Provide plenty of fun, interactive toys, and rotate access to them so they stay interesting.
Between 6 and 14 months, dogs will experience a second fear period, which usually coincides with sexual maturity. So, this could happen at around 9 months old. Your Labradoodle could display nerves and fear to things that never concerned them before.
It’s important that your dog continues to have positive experiences throughout this period. So work at your dog’s pace to ensure they feel comfortable and confident around anything that could trigger a fear response. And, don’t reinforce fear-based behaviors by rewarding them, as this can worsen the reactions.
Exercising your Labradoodle
Too much exercise when your dog is still a puppy can lead to joint problems. Your puppy will get a surprising amount of exercise around the house during playtimes, exploring, and training sessions. So, the amount of formal exercise they need each day is surprisingly small at 9 months, even though your puppy might seem to have endless energy.
As a general rule, veterinarians recommend no more than 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. So, at 9 months old, a Labradoodle could have two sessions of exercise that are each 45 minutes long. But, this can come in many different forms. You could take them for a walk, or go for a swim at the beach, or simply play fetch!
Just be wary of letting them overheat. In hot summer months, choose less strenuous forms of exercise, or find somewhere cool to exercise your Labradoodle.
Training your 9 Month Labradoodle
By 9 months old, it’s likely that you’ll already be well on your way with training your Labradoodle. But, it’s never too late to start if you’ve been struggling to teach your Labradoodle basic cues.
Positive reward methods are the best option for Labradoodle owners. This mix is generally very food motivated, and these methods will build on the bond between you and your dog. Negative, aversive, or punishment-based methods should be avoided, as they can lead to stress and fear.
Bear in mind that second fear period too, when training your Labradoodle outside. For instance, when building on their recall or their loose leash training. Choose quiet and calm areas outside with no new stimuli that could distract from training. Subtract training treat calories from your Labradoodle’s daily calorie allowance to avoid excess weight gain or obesity. And, work in short sessions when your dog is hungry so they are more motivated to figure out what you want.
Grooming a 9 Month Old Labradoodles
As puppies, Labradoodles all have a soft, single-layered coat. But, over the first year of their life, this will shed to reveal their adult coat. Their grooming needs will change as they grow into their new coat. And, will depend on the type of coat your Labradoodle has.
Labradoodles can have one of three coat types. Hair type Labradoodles have straight or slightly wavy hair that sheds the most frequently. Fleece types have soft, wavy fur that is usually low shedding. And wool types have very curly fur that will not visibly shed. The curlier your Labradoodle’s fur, the more frequent grooming they will need.
You should start grooming your Labradoodle from a young age to ensure they are comfortable with the process. This includes being able to look inside their ears to clean them, touching their paw pads, brushing their teeth, and trimming their nails. Be gentle in all areas, and keep grooming sessions positive and calm.
Your Nine Month Old Labradoodle Puppy
A 9 month old Labradoodle puppy can be quite a lot of work. Patience is key at this stage in life to prevent any additional fear responses, and to build on positive training as your puppy gains confidence to explore the world around them. However, in the long run, all that patience will be worth it!
Do you have any tips for caring for a Labradoodle at this age? Or are you currently navigating the ups and downs of an adolescent puppy? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
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