Surviving Your Puppy's Adolescence
When Does Adolescence Occur?
The adolescent period in dog begins at approximately 5-6 months of age and can last up to 24 months of age in large breed dogs. All dogs go through several behavioral phases during their adolescence.
Some of the behaviors you can expect are:
Exploration – counter surfing, pulling on leash
Fear - Barking at people, other dogs, or objects (even if they have “met” them before) Increased exercise needs - An increase in destructive chewing and digging
Arousal - Unable to settle down, increased barking
Hormones – Altercations with other dogs
Changing interests – Failure to respond to you or cues
The Adolescent Brain
The internal growth of adolescent humans and dogs is quite similar. The development of the brain in adolescence happens to favor responses to fear, arousal, and exploration. The region that controls the “fight or flight” response and our impulsivity, the Amygdala, matures faster than the region that controls thought and memory, the Cortex. In addition, the Amygdala is responsible for pleasure seeking and risk taking. This makes adolescent dogs literally “hard- wired” for fearful behaviors, high arousal, and exploration.
Additional Factors – Hyperactive Behavior
The degree of activity of each individual dog is determined by a variety of factors. Certain breeds, such as sporting dogs, are bred for high energy and are predisposed to higher energy levels in adolescence. Herding breeds may be more sensitive to changes in the environment. This sensitivity leads to a heightened sense of awareness and, during adolescence, a higher level of fearful behavior.
It is important to remember that “hyperactivity” or “hypersensitivity” are quite normal for many dogs in adolescence. You will need to be patient with your dog during this difficult behavioral phase.
Adolescence is the most difficult time for owners and their dogs. Dogs are “living in the moment” and while it may be normal to want to “correct” or “nip behaviors in the bud,” this predisposes us to the use of punishment. Physical punishment during adolescence can lead to defensive aggression and a lack of trust, both of which break down the human/dog bond.
The Basics of Survival
Here are some considerations for surviving your dog’s adolescent phase!
EXERCISE THE BODY AND MIND - Make sure your dog gets exercised appropriately. This does not mean going for a long, vigorous walk (your adolescent dog’s bones are still growing.) Activities such as playing fetch or tug, running on soft ground, or swimming provide a great outlet for aerobic exercise. Simply going for a walk is not going to provide the right amount or type of exercise! Exercise for your dog’s mind must be included daily. Nose work activities are a great way to provide low impact, brain activating exercise that meets a dog’s natural scavenging behavior.
BE PROACTIVE - this means you prevent opportunities for your dog to get into trouble when they are left alone. Adolescent dogs need to chew and remember they are hard wired to explore their surroundings. Anything left within reach is fair game! Make sure to provide age and breed appropriate chew items for your dog. They love to rip, shred, tear, and eat!
TRAIN, DON’T COMPLAIN! Training does not take a lot of time if you do it right! It also should be fun for both you and your dog. Remember, this is a partnership that you want to last for a lifetime! Keep sessions short and make training a game whenever possible. You should use both food rewards and your dog’s favorite toys to help build solid behaviors.
CREATE PREDICTABILITY AND CONSISTENCY - All dogs do best with consistent routines and predictable outcomes. Whether you are actively training or simply sitting on your couch, your dog is learning. Everyone within your family must be on the same page with regards to what is expected from your dog. If you give a cue, you must be willing, and able to back it up with gentle guidance if necessary.
AVOID THE “NOISE” – Humans are a verbal communication species, while dogs communicate primarily with body language. In adolescence, your body language speaks louder than your voice. Avoid constantly using your dog’s name when he is “naughty” and try not to repeat cues without using your body when your dog needs that firm, yet gentle guidance.
THIS TOO SHALL PASS – Adolescent dogs are the most likely group to be relinquished to shelters or re-homed. Owners of adolescent dogs are often frustrated by what is normal canine behavior. Working with a modern, science-based trainer, using positive reinforcement will help your dog learn what you want him to do, rather than trying to “correct” behavior. Don’t worry, most adolescent “delinquents” turn out to be wonderful adult dogs. Be patient and compassionate. Your adolescent isn’t trying to give you a hard time, he’s having a hard time adjusting to the human world.
STAGES OF ADOLESCENCE
We are often asked when adolescence starts, and how long it will last. The adolescent behavior phase begins at approximately 16 weeks of age and can last until 12-14 months of age for small or medium breeds, and until 18-24 months for large or giant breeds
Dogs always repeat what works, so behaviors such as attention seeking, growling, or snapping, and excessive nipping and mouthing can become evident. If a dog receives attention or the threat retreats, they will continue to do the behaviors that worked! It is important to identify these situations as early as possible and find an acceptable alternative.
Here is what you can expect during the stages of adolescence.
Four to Six Months of Age
PLAY AND PLAY FIGHTING
Play is a rehearsal for adult behavior
Puppies need the opportunity to play with a variety of other puppies at this age
Puppies should learn to play with adult dogs that are tolerant of puppies
Mounting behavior is an indication of arousal in play, NOT DOMINANCE
Play biting with humans should decrease at this age
o If it continues or escalates, please contact us
Destructive chewing increases at this stage
o Provide acceptable outlets for this behavior
Play should include short breaks or pauses
Tug of War with rules and guidelines can be a win for both you and your dog
FEAR AND RESOURCE GUARDING
At this age, puppies may experience a fear phase, which is quite normal (See our handout on Adolescent Fear Behaviors). This behavioral stage also often includes subtle signs of resource guarding. Resource guarding in dogs is a normal and natural behavior. How you respond to it may, in part, determine whether the behavior increases or decreases as your dog matures. Adolescent dogs may begin to guard valuable items such as chew toys, stolen items, favored resting places, and even people.
If your dog growls at humans while in proximity to his food bowl, a toy or bone, or while in his bed consider this a warning sign. DO NOT punish him for growling, as this is an inhibited bite! Contact us immediately so we can help. Teach your dog to trade for something better immediately!
Many owners mistake growling at people entering the home or encountered on walks as “protective” behavior. The reality is that growling at people is often a sign that your adolescent puppy is going through a fear phase, and his needs are changing. He most likely isn’t protecting you; he feels the need to protect himself!
Six to Twelve Months of Age
HORMONES – ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE?
Many owners, and unfortunately some veterinarians, believe that certain behaviors are related to the increase in hormones that dogs experience between six months and twelve months of age. The following behaviors are often blamed on “dominance” or hormones:
Mounting/Humping
Hard Mouthing
“Not Listening”
Running Away/Refusing to Come When Called
Pulling on Leash
Unfortunately for our adolescent dogs, they often look like an adult, while their brains are still slowly developing. Male puppies do not reach normal, adult testosterone levels until as late as 18 months of age. Female puppies experience their first heat cycle as early as six months of age in toy/small breed dogs, while it may be delayed until as late as 14 months in larger breeds. The reality is that hormones play a relatively small role in behavior at this age, and a really BIG role in physical development of breed characteristics, bone, and soft tissue development.
HORMONES – THE CONTROVERSY
Unwanted puppies are a real concern, and the movement to spay or neuter dogs to reduce the stray dog population has made spaying and neutering very mainstream in the United States. Popular opinion has been to alter dogs early, before their first heat cycle in females, and before a year of age in males. Shelters and rescue groups, and even some well-intentioned breeders, often alter puppies as young as 7- 10 weeks of age, to prevent indiscriminate breeding. This practice, known as pediatric sterilization or early-age neutering, has been linked to increased fear in adult dogs, a reduction in overall body size/composition, and health problems such as cruciate ligament rupture and cancer.
Hormones are necessary for growth and development. Current research has us “re-thinking” when, and if, we should alter our puppies. Rising hormones can be responsible for:
Marking Behavior (in both sexes)
Increased Social Aggression
Certain Cancers of the Reproductive Tract
Current research suggests that altering be done after a dog’s growth plates close, and that the “age” may be quite different among breeds. A 2020 study looked at 35 breeds and determined there are not only breed difference, but differences within a breed between male and female alteration ages. We advise our clients to discuss the best age to alter their dog with their veterinarian, as each dog may be different.
BAD BEHAVIOR
Adolescent dogs are hard wired for exploration, risk taking, and fear. This is a difficult combination! Adolescent dogs are bursting with energy, so structured exercise is necessary to survive this developmental stage. It is also the time to start working on basic manners rather than focusing on “obedience.” Socialization (creating positive experiences) should also be continued, with an emphasis on supervision and proper play. Adolescent dogs need to learn impulse control and “frustration tolerance.” Learning how to greet both people and dogs, how to play appropriately with others, and how to “say please” will help reduce how “naughty” an adolescent dog can be.
As a dog owner, your job is to supervise your adolescent, manage the environment to prevent unwanted behavior, and help your dog learn what is expected, using patience and positive reinforcement. Some of the common behavior challenges you may encounter are:
Exploratory Behaviors – Digging, Chewing, Investigating Counters
Attention Seeking Behaviors – Barking, Jumping Up
Frustration – Barking at People and Other Dogs
Fear – Barking at People/Other Dogs, Refusing to Walk on Leash
Not Responding to Cues – Needs Generalization
Pulling on Leash – Needs to Learn Appropriate Leash Skills
Failure to Come When Called – Needs to Learn Appropriate Recall Skills
Door Dashing – Needs to Learn Appropriate Doorway Skills
Dogs do not come “pre-programmed” to live in our world. It is up to us to help them learn.
HOW TO HELP THEM
Adolescent dogs can only act like dogs. They are struggling to adapt to our world, while dealing with changing brains and bodies.
Teach them the skills they need – Don’t rely on trying to “correct” behavior. Simple cues such as sit, place training, and eye contact should be taught and rewarded daily.
Prevent “bad” behaviors – Use management and supervision to ensure that your dog cannot learn how to reward himself.
Work with a modern, science-based trainer – Modern dog trainers use the science of learning to create an enthusiastic learner and a positive training experience for both the dog and the owner.
Work the mind – Nose work games or puzzles, confidence building through self-paced exploration, and trick training are all great ways to activate the cortex! Walks are not enough!
OOPS, I MADE A MISTAKE
Here are some common mistakes that owners of adolescent dogs make:
Failing to Respect Space – Forcing your dog to choose between his safety and getting closer to something scary puts him at further conflict. Never be afraid to move your dog away from something, or allow him to safely approach people, dogs, and objects at his own speed. Dogs need to feel that they are safe, and some adolescent dogs don’t want to meet and greet everyone!
Training Through “Correcting” Behavior – Dogs who are consistently punished become afraid to make a choice. They may become shut down. Punishment doesn’t provide enough information on what the dog is supposed to do, it only empowers a human’s ego. Physical punishment may increase the likelihood that your dog will choose to escalate aggression (snapping/biting.)
Don’t Lose Your Temper – It can be frustrating when your dog’s behavior changes from day to day. Remember your dog is having a hard time during adolescence, not trying to give you a hard time.
Don’t Force – NEVER force a dog to approach anything he is afraid of. Allowing him to determine whether it is safe helps build confidence and builds trust. Forcing an approach breaks down your dog’s ability to trust YOU!
Don’t Use Punitive Training – This includes choke, prong, electronic (shock or vibration) collars. Bark collars may seem like a good idea, but the “fallout” is that your dog may become increasingly more fearful or learn that you cannot be trusted.
How Can We Help?
Email Us with questions/concerns: twopawsupsd@gmail.com
On-Line Self Study Classes - https://two-paws-up-dog-training.teachable.com
Association of Professional Dog Trainers Resources: https://apdt.com/category/safety-pet- owners/
