Puberty?

[Blueberry]

At what age (approx) does a male cocker pup approach puberty?
Haven't been able to do a thing with Blue for a few days.  He was 19 weeks yesterday.  He's trailing about the house, whiny, not eating, a bit lot of humping - which is now definitely rooted in 'sexual excitement', not play, and is very difficult to put a stop to as he does not take the 'firm no!' for an answer.    'Time out' is the obvious solution, when at home that's easy, but what to do when out & about and it happens?
As far as I know, we don't have any bitches in season locally, although I've no idea how far that signal can travel, so it's always possible.
Is this puberty then?  What else should I expect?

[bizzylizzy]

Sounds familier!!
I'm not really sure when puberty's supposed to start but I remember Humphrey starting to show an interest earlier than I'd expected it (the youth these days  !!). We haven't had a lot of incidents of leg humping but when it happened I just pushed him off - he tends to get more "passionate" with the towel when I'm trying to dry him. (What a subject for 8 oclock on a Tuesday morning!! 😂)
As to the moping around at home, that sounds very much like a local female, we've encountered it several times and I was quite surprised how it affected him in the house although the bitch in question lived a a fair distance away. On walks, he's in a world of his own and ran off a couple of weeks ago, first time ever that I really had a problem getting him to come back.
Don't have any answers I'm afraid but am sure someone with more experience, will.
I really thought I'd finally closed the chapter of moody teenagers when my boys left the nest.......

[Markr64]

Just to warn you that the smell of a bitch in season will travel a long way. He will be feeling very sorry for himself and will try to escape at any given time to satisfy that urge. We heard at our trainers of a dog that chewed through a stud wall to escape and find the lady!

[Archie bean]

Yup. My brother's sprinter scaled a 6ft fence and disappeared. He was found 5 miles away scratching at the patio door of a bitch in season. 

[Blueberry]

So, do you think that's what's up with him?  He's still very reluctant to eat.  Got him to eat his Nutriment this morning by sprinkling a handful of Orijen kibble on top, but he was not enthusiastic - so out of the ordinary.  He's very mopey and whiney.
He doesn't like the heat - a bit like me, really, so we're off out for an early walkies before the sun gets going.  Maybe it's just the heat?  Is 19 weeks too early for puberty?

[Helen]

he could be teething as well.

[j.edward321]

It's possibly more likely that he's teething at this age. My Finn went right off his food during teething, and was moping around the house and whining, think about how sore his mouth is! I know I personally would be mopey and miserable is my whole mouth was sore, and crunchy kibble won't be helping either. Try freezing a damp old tea towel for him to chew (keep an eye on him though to make sure he doesn't manage to start eating bits!), or give him some ice cubes to play with.

I think the humping is still part of play, Finn still tries to hump is bed every so often and we just take it away from him when he does.


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[Blueberry]

Thanks, yes, he's definitely teething, teeth are now dropping out like I don't know what!  He's eating a bit better today.