Adolescence in Dogs and What It Means To You!

 Should You Neuter During Adolescence?

These are just some of the joys of having an adolescent dog! Oh, and if you have a humper, getting them neutered during their adolescence will not fix it, and it will definitely not calm them down! Neutering a dog in adolescence is a very complicated issue which we won’t go into now, other than to say you wouldn’t consider giving a 15-year-old boy a vasectomy! Neither are fully matured, and their body is still going through growth and chemical changes, so it is never a good idea to do this especially under false illusions that it will magically fix this behaviour which is a natural phase that they will grow out of!

It’s Just a Phase

That’s right you heard me right! It is a phase, and they will mature into the dog you knew that fabulous puppy would become!! Each dog is an individual, just like us! Each dog’s adolescence is different, some you don’t even notice, others are long and arduous for both dog and owner!

Why Do Some Dogs End Up in Shelters During Adolescence?

There is a reason most dogs are given to shelters during their adolescence, because it can be hard work! If you didn’t know this was a phase they are going to go through and you thought this, was it forever, you can see how people think they cannot cope with it!

Why Is Your Dog Not Coming Back?

So, what is happening with your dog?? Why is he/she not coming back? It isn’t because they are stubborn or deliberately ignoring you! Our dogs have a lot going on in their bodies during this phase of maturity, if you look at your human teenagers, you will find similar traits! They don’t hear you; they never do as they said they would blah blah blah! The dog is in a phase where they are becoming more exploratory, the world is a new and exciting place, and you need to motivate them to want to come back to you!

How Can a Long Line Help?

Help your dog, attach a long line to their harness in this phase, this helps our dog get it right and reduce the risk of them getting it wrong! We don’t want your recall cue to become tarnished with them finding it more reinforcing to go across the field to play with that other dog instead of returning to you!! But also try and remember what it was like to be a hormonal teenager, so you can have a bit of sympathy!

Why Are They Chewing Everything Again?

Why are they chewing everything, they have already gone through teething!? Well, those teeth are getting bedded in, so they need to chew harder, they need a variety of chews, toys etc of different textures and they will still benefit from cool things to help calm their gums and teeth. On a positive note, chewing is very calming for dogs, so if they are given the right things to chew, they will not chew your furniture and you are left with a calm relaxed dog!

Why Body Sensitivity Matters During Adolescence

Adolescent dogs also have increased body sensitivity so playing roughly or being over enthusiastic with our hands on their body can lead to over excitement and more biting which is not what we want for our pups, we want to help them feel calm and more gentle touch in this period can help that.

Why Are They Socially Awkward?

They are socially awkward with other dogs! Have you seen human teenagers in a social setting?? The teenage dog can be a lot more boisterous, if they are a boy dog and they smell a female they may feel love is in the air, even if she doesn’t! Help your dog by being more interesting so you are the centre of their world, they want to play with you and don’t allow them to interact with every dog they see! Reinforce them for positive interactions with other dogs when they are respectful and calm! It is never a good idea to allow another dog to ‘teach him a lesson’. That lesson can backfire on you, leaving you with a nervous reactive dog at the end of their adolescence.

Training: The Key to Success

The positive thing to remember, especially when your dog is being hard work in this phase, is that the training you continue to put in and the training they received as a puppy is still all in there and when they mature, they will be the dog you always wanted!

What About Fear Periods?

Our dogs often go through another fear period during their adolescence, which may seem strange if they are suddenly scared of random things. Don’t push your dog to interact with people/things they show fear of. Instead let them approach in their own time, encourage, support and allow them to make their own mind up, so if they don’t want to approach a person, they don’t have to! This is all part of them maturing, forcing our dog can lead our dog to be permanently frightened of the object/person in a hat/with a beard etc.

Why Is Fun Training So Important?

Doing training with your adolescent dog is so important, the most important thing to remember though is training HAS to be fun! If you are not having a good time, neither is your dog! Focus on fun training, tricks, fun recall games but not in the most distracting park in the world, find a quiet spot and help them get the wins they deserve! Having an adolescent dog can be the most rewarding experience when you see that dog mature into the dog you knew they could always be! If you are struggling, find a positive reinforcement trainer near you who can guide and help you through this phase!

Embrace the Journey

Your adolescent dog will become the wonderful family pet you always dreamt of, you took on the responsibility of a puppy and you are now going to hold their paw as the mature into adult hood, enjoy the challenge and bond with your dog over fun training and the knowledge that it is just as hard for them as you during this period!