Adolescent Dog Training

Just like humans, dogs go through a ‘teenage phase’, and this can cause a few hiccups. An adolescent dog might seem to be testing boundaries, have ‘forgotten’ their basic training such as recall or become fearful of things that didn’t bother them in the past. However, with the right knowledge, a dog’s adolescence needn’t be something for owners to fear.

Your dog’s adolescent phase will begin at around six months of age if you have a small dog and 9 -12 months if you have a big dog. It usually comes to an end between 18 -24 months, at which point your furry friend is a fully-fledged adult.

What’s really going on during adolescence?

During this time, there are dramatic hormonal changes going on for your dog and a reorganization of the brain. These make your dog increasingly motivated to explore and interact and full of energy. It can also make them seem less obedient than they were before.

What might I expect from my adolescent dog?

All dogs are individuals. Some might sail through adolescence; some might be more wayward. The most common issues are around dogs becoming boisterous and over-exuberant, not coming back when they’re called or seeming to ‘forget’ their basic training. The good news is, with patience and consistency, all these things can be successfully managed.

Adolescent dogs have lots of energy! This means walks are vital, of course, but also lots of active playtime. This is a great way to bond with your dog. Don’t forget about mental stimulation either. This will stop your furry friend from becoming bored and frustrated. There is a vast array of different activity toys on the market and even puzzle feeders to make mealtimes more fun, so experiment to find what your furry friend likes best.

Can dogs become aggressive in adolescence?

It’s not uncommon for adolescent dogs to suddenly become fearful of things that didn’t worry them before, from people to other dogs to a particular environment. This fearfulness can manifest itself as aggression. If this happens, it’s best to calmly remove your dog from the situation, without scolding or punishing them.

Do adolescent dogs need more exercise?

Adolescent dogs can seem to have an unending amount of energy and stamina so it’s important to give them lots of physical and mental exercise. Walks, games and things like puzzle feeders will help to keep your dog’s mind and body busy – and out of mischief!

Do adolescent dogs calm down?

The short answer to this question is yes! As dogs reach full maturity, they are likely to mellow and calm down. Exactly when this will happen and to what extent will depend on the individual dog. Some dogs are calm even when they’re adolescents and some are more highly strung even when they’re older.