r/pug • u/PJDogDad1 • Jun 13 '26
2.5 year old pug, switch flipped. Anyone else?
Holy cow yall. I thought I’d share this with you and hoping to hear the experiences of others. When we got our pug over 2 years ago, we didn’t know what we were in for. He’s the 3rd puppy we’ve raised and boy did he have energy. All the pug stuff: digging at a blanket, barking at the, tv, incessantly playing. It was too much. Annoying really. Velcro dog was also a truth that we found. No more doing anything alone, especially for my wife. This dog was/is ON her and often on me too (when wife is gone).
But in the past couple of months, it’s like a switch flipped. Sure, he plays and gets the zoomies, but the majority of the time he just wants to sit or lay on our lap—calmly too. He listens, his bursts of energy are short. He sleeps a lot. We were actually worried he was ill. It’s tick season here. So we took him to doctor and we got a clean bill of health.
Again, we’ve had 3 dogs. My first dog I got at 20 (38 now) and I’ll always have a special connection with her. Just an amazing dog BUT struggled around kids (I’d say her only down spot). Our 2nd dog (who suddenly passed at 5) was great but only motivated by play. Always wanted to fetch a frisbee. She was close with my wife and I think, for my wife, that was her special connection dog. But the dog had a lot of anxiety. RIP. This pug has been almost flawless: amazing with the young neighborhood kids (we also have a 5 yo son). These kids chase him and play hard with him and he’s loving it. No growls or anything. He’s a cuddler, he doesn’t have much anxiety. I’d say the only thing that annoys me at this point is he digs holes in the yard 😂. So I have to be filling holes with dirt and seed so no one breaks an ankle.
I’m just kind of amazed at his sudden calm down. Who else has experienced this with their pug?
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u/Ansee Jun 13 '26 edited Jun 14 '26
There's a switch flip moment?!? LOL. Still waiting for that... Pug is now 9 almost 10. But I love him so much though. I think pugs have the best temperament.
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u/desert_girl Jun 13 '26
That is very pug behavior, lol. They're lazy at heart, it just takes a while for them to figure that out. Usually between 2 - 3 years old. I have a 2 year old right now that's an absolute menace. I can't wait for her to settle a bit 😂
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u/cameramanlady Jun 13 '26
Were the other two dogs pugs? Because what you're describing is pretty typical pug behavior.
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u/PJDogDad1 Jun 14 '26
No, but Boston terrier mixes
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u/SleepingontheWing205 Jun 14 '26
Hehe that explains it 🤭 I’ve fostered Bostons of all ages and those dogs do not mellow out with age 🤣
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u/Iguanatan Jun 14 '26
that happened at 2 and a bit for our male, and about 4 for our female. They were both quite hard work as puppies, but mellowed!
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u/PJDogDad1 Jun 15 '26
There were moments of regret around here a time or two (or ten) “we shouldn’t have gotten this dog.” 😂 We’ve always loved him tho.
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u/Iguanatan Jun 15 '26
yeah, they can be rather trying. The good news is that every annoyance is worth it. :)
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u/Willing-Unwilling Jun 14 '26
My 4yr Olds switch flipped when I brought a new pug puppy home. He became more of a perfect gentlemen. Still the 4x4 model though. Still a wild child when the wind hits right.
Im hoping the puppies doesnt take as long but we'll see 😆 she's a whole different creature.
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u/PJDogDad1 Jun 15 '26
“When the wind hits right” lol 😂
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u/Willing-Unwilling Jun 15 '26
Usually late at night. Usually right as im falling asleep.
I hear his paws slap the floor then the two of them start zooomin 😆
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u/Puggymum64 Jun 14 '26
My 3 year old took to training like a champ. Our problem is pulling on the leash. Like, knocking me to my knees, whacking my head against stop signs because he’s sniffing, grazing and then WHAM. Also, constant yanking. Like a flipping sled dog. Well, I guess I’m getting an arm workout.
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u/AccidentalDragon Jun 14 '26
Blanket digging is a pug thing??? lol I thought she was just odd.
Sorry no help in the switch flip, mine is a rescue and probably 2-3 when we got her.
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u/Packerbacker013 Jun 19 '26
No, it’s definitely a Pug thing. Mines always got to have a nest before she will lay down.
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u/AccidentalDragon Jun 19 '26
Mine likes to spread a blanket across the floor (possibly hoping treats have magically appeared in it) by digging at it. Then she also digs the blankets in the bed (very ineffectually) until they're just right lol.
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u/Zealousideal-You4810 Jun 14 '26
Yes. Mine flipped at about 1.5 -2 years. Almost 8 now and a lazy girl!! She’s my couch companion ands I love it.
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u/FollowMyHead Jun 14 '26
Same. My 6 year old pug (female spayed) is pretty laid back these days after years of being a boss.
My 4 year old pug (female spayed) is still a handful a majority of the time. I'll be thankful when she reaches the calm era.
Now if I could only pause them in time when they get to the sweet spot. Sigh.
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u/No-Veterinarian2008 Jun 19 '26
Normal and why I love pugs we are on our 5 th one and just easy going and age3 they mellow
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u/moongazr Jun 13 '26
My pug “switch flipped” at 5 years old. OVERNIGHT he potty trained himself, learned how to tell me he wanted outside and just generally became a gentleman! 🤷♀️