Pekingese: How should an owner handle adolescent behaviour changes?
When a young Pekingese becomes less reliable, return to the last version of the behaviour that was working and rebuild from there. Schedule the first attempt after the dog's normal age-appropriate outlet, not at peak excitement. Return to easier cues, shorten sessions, increase reinforcement, and manage the environment while skills are rebuilt. Keep the easier version in the routine while reliability returns; do not test the hardest version every day.
What can change during adolescence
Pekingese's exercise is recorded as Pekingese are charming, confident companions who develop a close bond with their people. Here, that matters because it changes the amount and timing of movement, stimulation, and recovery this situation needs.
Rebuild the behaviour you want
- Return to easier cues, shorten sessions, increase reinforcement, and manage the environment while skills are rebuilt.
- Use this exercise note (Pekingese are charming, confident companions who develop a close bond with their people) to choose the starting amount of movement and the length of the recovery period.
- Keep the easier version in the routine while reliability returns; do not test the hardest version every day.
Arrange an assessment if
Escalate for sudden personality change, pain, disorientation, or aggression that cannot be safely managed.
References
Height: 6-9 inches
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height
Weight: up to 14 pounds
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy
Grooming: The thick double coat of the Pekingese requires a good bit of maintenance. Pekingese shed seasonally. Brushing him at least one hour per week will help to remove loose hairs and prevent matting, and an occasional bath will help to keep him looking his best. Mats or tangles can be gently worked out with a slicker brush or metal comb. As with all breeds, the…
AKC page Grooming > official section copy
Exercise: Pekingese are charming, confident companions who develop a close bond with their people. Their whole purpose in life is to amuse and comfort. Although they are fairly sedate most of the time and have only modest exercise requirements, they do enjoy participating in canine sports at their own pace.
AKC page Exercise > official section copy
Training: A hallmark of the breed is their friendly, outgoing, loving personality. Pekes are affectionate and intelligent and develop very strong connections to their people. As dogs who for centuries lived in palaces, Pekes can be as serenely independent as the emperors who owned them. (They're 'opinionated,' Peke people often say.) Ever alert, they make good little…
AKC page Training > official section copy
Official breed description: The Pekingese, a compact toy companion of regal bearing and a distinctive rolling gait, is one of several breeds created for the ruling classes of ancient China. These are sophisticated dogs of undying loyalty and many subtle delights.
AKC page About the Breed > official breed description
Recommended parent-club health tests: ['No recommended health tests']
AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club
Official breed standard: http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Pekingese.pdf
AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard
Use the tools