There is no doubt that you came into puppy parenthood prepared for every eventuality. From the puppy piranha teeth to the daily destruction and dreaded crate training, you had a game plan and were ready to go. Just as you tentatively begin to think your training has paid off and you are coming out the other side, your puppy comes into adolescence.
Between the ages of 6-24 months, your dog will become a 'teenager'. Your puppy will experience a large shift in hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone, influencing their behaviour as well as their body. Their frontal lobe which is responsible for self-control is not fully developed which can also lead to a lack of impulse control (Asher et.al, 2020). The age at which this occurs varies greatly depending on your dog's breed and size, with larger dogs typically maturing slower than their smaller counterparts (Radosta, 2023). Many dogs don't reach full maturity until they are 3 years old, so it is important to remain patient and hold your ground through this troublesome process.
Your dog is unique and the symptoms they exhibit will vary: some will become more excitable (encompassing enough energy for 5 dogs), some will become more independent and relapse in basic training and others will become a little more anxious and fearful of people and situations which they were previously happy and relaxed in.
Managing the Adolescent Dog
So now you understand WHY these behaviours have occurred, you can work with your dog to manage them.
Training
Go back to basics and revise simple behaviours. Start at home in a distraction-free environment. Remember, distractions come in all shapes and sizes from loud children playing outside to the leftover chew in the corner or even music playing in the background. So make sure to manage them correctly to set your dog up for success. Consistency is key, make sure everyone in the household is on the same page and knows the rules e.g. no jumping on the couch. Behaviours you might want to focus on include engagement games, recall and leash walking.
Tips:
Keep sessions short and sweet to avoid frustration.
Avoid the 'just one more' mindset and end on a positive note!
Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation
An adolescent dog, bursting with energy is unlikely to behave whilst you pop out for 5 minutes or when the in-laws decide to make an impromptu visit. Make sure to fulfil your dogs' needs before you expect them to act like a 'perfect dog'.
Physical exercise can be made more exciting by: varying the location of your walks i.e. city walks, to woodland hikes, taking part in local agility classes and even a good game of fetch! Next, keep your dog busy with mental enrichment games. Toys such as puzzle feeders, scent work or training games work wonders for keeping their mind engaged. Don't worry, they don't have to cost a fortune! I have plenty of cheap (or even free) enrichment games on my Instagram so make sure to check them out.
Reinforce Impulse Control
As your dogs' frontal lobe isn't fully developed, they will likely struggle with impulse control (Harvey, 2021). Therefore, it is important to continue reinforcing these boundaries. Work on behaviours such as waiting at the front door whilst you put your shoes on, leaving the food you've accidentally dropped in the kitchen and settling in distracting environments.
Socialisation
Adolescence can bring new fears or heightened reactivity. Continue exposing your dog to new experiences, letting your dog set the pace. Use controlled introductions and orchestrate the environment as best as possible to set your dog up for success. Make sure to keep a close eye on your dog to watch for signs of stress or if your dog seems overwhelmed in a situation. Your dog decides if an experience was positive or negative, not you! Focus on a few positive experiences at a time and build on them every day.
Address Hormonal Changes
As previously mentioned, there are a lot of hormonal changes that occur during this time. This can result in new behaviours such as mounting, marking, increased aggression and more. Depending on the nature and severity of the behaviours, consider discussing neutering/spaying with your vet. If the behaviours become unmanageable, consult with a trainer to address the situation before it escalates.
What if nothing is helping?
If nothing you do seems to be making a difference, there could be an underlying medical issue. Take your dog to the vet for a full vet check to make sure there aren't any problems your dog is trying to communicate to you. If you get the all-clear, your vet will likely refer you to a local trainer to help with some of the issues you are experiencing.
If you feel you could do with a little more help with your dog or are experiencing any other behavioural issues please get in touch via my contact form and I would be happy to help :)
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References:
Asher, L. England, G. Sommerville, R and Harvey, N. (2020), 'Teenage dogs? Evidence for adolescent-phase confilct behaviour and an association between attachment to humans and pubertal timing in the domestic dog', In: Biology Letters, 16(5). Available at: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0097#pane-pcw-details
Harvey, N. (2021), 'How Old is My Dog? Identification of rational age groupings in pet dogs based upon normative age-linked processes'. In: Sec. Animal Behaviour and Welfare 8(1). Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.643085/full
Radosta, L. (2023), 'Canine Behaviour and Development'. In: Canine and Feline Behaviour for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, Second Edition. Available at: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0097
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