This can vary depending on dogs breed and size, with most dogs reaching full social maturity around 3 years old.
At this stage of their life they will often find the environment more rewarding than anything you have to offer, as they seek to learn and understand the world.
They may also start to seek greater independence and test out their own abilities which can appear as being 'rebellious'.
You may find that your cute and obedient pup starts to display unwanted behaviours:
Boundless energy and becoming more boisterous.
Not coming back when called, having previously had a solid recall.
Failing to respond to training that has been previously taught.
Having the attention span of a gnat.
Showing signs of anxiousness.
Reactive towards others dogs, people or traffic.
Destructive chewing.
House training accidents.
This is due to your pup’s brain and body going through some dramatic changes and it can be a very stressful and confusing time for them.
Image from www.dogbepraised.co.uk
With any behaviour change in your dog it is advisable to visit your vet first for a full health check to rule out any health condition or undiagnosed injury, some conditions may not develop or become evident until a dog is out of puppyhood.
It is often frustrating coping with a young dog, but try to avoid forms of punishment as this can exasperate unwanted behaviours and breakdown trust in the relationship.
Rather than focussing on how to control an adolescent dog, we need to think about how we can channel that zest for life and satisfy their natural instincts. Providing a mix of physical exercise and mental stimulation, relevant to their breed type.
A few tips to ease you through this stage:
Boundless energy.
Focus some of their energy with structured, managed playtimes.
Longer walks in quieter areas, allowing plenty of sniffing and exploration.
Still avoid any serious physical activity that involves sudden stops and turns, or jumps and bounces. Your dog’s skeletal structure isn’t quite done taking shape yet, and you’ll need to protect joints.
Work on impulse control games.
Add enrichment opportunities to allow them to display natural instincts and avoid frustration.
This can be easily incorporated into their life with interactive or puzzle toys/feeders, or simply scatter feeding their meals will tap into natural foraging behaviour and keep inquisitive minds busy. Mental stimulation can be as tiring as physical exertion.
Rest and relaxation are equally important, to avoid your dog becoming over stimulated. Encourage and support relaxation in a suitable area where they can be undisturbed, without being isolated.
Recall
Practise in less distracting environments.
Attempt after they have got rid of some energy.
You may have to go back using a long line.
Practice randomly on a walk and then re-release, so they don't associate returning = end of fun.
Capture moments they natural approach you, in and out of the home.
Failing to respond/no attention span.
Revisit 'back to basics' training on a regular basis, remain consistent with strategies and language.
Reconsider your rewards, whether they need better training treats or toys/play.
Keep all training sessions short and fun.
Consistently and patiently apply your existing commands, boundaries/guidelines, making sure everyone involved in the dogs life uses exactly the same.
Anxiety/shyness/reactivity.
Young dogs typically experience a second ‘fear period’ around adolescence (they had their first one when a very young puppy).
Your dog could suddenly get scared about things they previously didn’t - they may start to show reactive behaviour by barking and/or lunging at other dogs, people or moving objects. They may start to show signs of separation anxiety - by barking, showing destructive behaviour or toileting in the house when left.
Carefully manage attention and interaction with others, dogs, people and experiences within environments, allow them choice to move away or increase distances.
Don't think they will 'just get over it', or they are just being naughty, they will need support to develop positively through this stage.
You will need support plans in place with desensitisation and counter conditioning strategies, to build independent confidence in the world.
Wherever possible avoid potentially stressful events at this time, such as a stay in kennels, visits to busy environments or neutering (unless Vet recommended).
Chewing.
There is a secondary chewing phase between 8-to-10 months that occurs as the adult teeth settle in the jaw.
They have likely outgrown or got bored with their puppy toys, so consider investing in some new ones and remove anything you do not want chewed.
Considering when/where/what they are chewing. Is it certain items, places around the home or when they are left? As chewing could be an indication of separation anxiety, stress, boredom or frustration.
House training.
Some dogs do not get full control of their bladder or bowels until about 12 months old, and at times of excitement or stress this control is less likely.
It’s important not to punish your dog for any ‘accidents’, as dogs are unable to associate your feelings of annoyance with something that happened in the past. If punished in the act of toileting in the house they could just start sneaking off and doing it in other places.
Punishment can cause anxiety in dogs and even if you feel they know they have done something wrong because they 'look guilty', this is in fact is a sign of fear or appeasement, because the dog feels worried.
Picture from Freepik.com
The change of hormones can cause dogs to have the need to toilet more and many owners consider neutering at this stage in the hope it will 'cure' problems.
Lots of different factors can be involved with toileting in the house, so it’s important not to see neutering as the answer.
Overall
Try to avoid conflict around unwanted behaviour, consider why your dog is behaving in a certain way and aim to address the issues driving the behaviour.
Try to keep things consistent, predictable and safe for your dog.
Try to be tolerant, calm and relaxed when around your dog.
Even though this period in your dogs life can be a 'trying' time, a lot of the time you will have a fun loving, goofy companion who is living life in the moment.
Try to enjoy that with them, explore the great outdoors together, play together and enjoy their company.
With continued patient perseverance using reward-based training they will come out of this phase.
If you feel you would like more focused support I offer an Adolescent/teenage manual:
I will visit you to get to know your dog and your concerns and offer immediate advice.
Then supply you with a manual specific to your dog and lifestyle that will offer considerations and adjustments to their individual physical and mental needs, alongside consistent reward-based training guidance.
Giving you the skills to support them develop out of this phase into a
confident, happy, well-behaved dog.
Follow up email and phone support included.
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