#Teenage Dirt-bag

We have all been there. You bring home your new addition and you have prepared to make this puppy amazing. You are not going to make the same mistakes with this puppy as you had before, this puppy is going to be well trained and well socialized and well enriched. And you begin down the path with this puppy, and they are brilliant! They are the best puppy at puppy class, they learn all of the commands at lightening speed. You have done it, created your perfect puppy, the best puppy, you are an amazing trainer and the best dog owner.

You likely did all of your puppy prep with the knowledge that the puppy stage is hard. That you needed to puppy proof your home and socialize and train your puppy. And because you knew these things you were prepared, and because you were prepared it was easy. But now you have an adolescent on your hands. And just as with humans, teenagers are hard, and were are usually unprepared for what they throw at us!

Until one day it all comes crashing down. Seemingly overnight your perfect puppy has forgotten all of its tricks and no longer comes when called. The puppy has begun chewing things again, AND getting into the trash. Or it has suddenly started spooking at things that were previously not scary. You begin to spiral, what happened? Did you do something wrong to ruin your puppy? Probably not, you are just the proud owner of a teenage dirt-bag.

Dog adolescence begins sometime around the 6-12 month mark and can continue up to the two year mark! This time marks a huge shift in your dog from puppy to adult. Their brains hormones change immensely. And with these changes come behavioral changes that can be challenging to puppy owners!

At the beginning of adolescence dogs are finished losing the last of their puppy teeth, but teething, mouthing and chewing may intensify, due to adult teeth still shifting. Finding good chewing options for your dog as well as returning to management techniques you used with your dog when you first brought them home to protect your belongings as well as your dog from the return of chewing.

Like teenage humans, adolescent dogs may seem rebellious and stubborn. They have often come into confidence and have a desire to explore and investigate their world. They may seem like they are ignoring you as they are even more interested in their environment especially new ones than they are in you. Adolescent dogs also have a lot of excess energy and they have the urge to play and explore that may seem never ending. It is incredibly important to continue training, and make the sessions very short with big rewards. Training serves to reinforce what you taught them when they were your super-pup and to stimulate them. You may have to take a few steps backward at first and train like they are babies again, and that is ok. It is also a time to be cautious on outings because they have grown in confidence and have the new found and instinctual desire to roam, it is important to keep your dog on leash, and/or in a secure area when outdoors. Many people give young puppies a lot of freedom because they are so good and obedient, only to have that backfire when the dog suddenly backslides during adolescence. Sometimes dogs simply ignore their owners because they are having fun and don't want to stop. Keeping up on training and upping rewards can do a lot to condition your dog to know you are the best thing in their world. Management is also key, using long lines can help if your dog suddenly turns off his dirt-bag ears.

Because the world is now more interesting and they have all this extra energy and may not have fully learned impulse control, some adolescent dogs become more easily frustrated when they cannot do what they want or have what they want. This might look like digging, chewing, jumping up or excessive barking. Again, managing the environment, ensuring your dog has appropriate out-lets, as well as enough exercise, and reinforcing good behavior are all keys to success during this time.

Finally you may run into behaviors related to sexual maturity like urine marking, humping, or sudden conflicts with other dogs. Many dogs remain friendly toward other dogs into adulthood and some do not. If your dog suddenly seems to no longer enjoy the company of other dogs, especially those of the same sex it is important to not force the issue and work with a trainer to help your dog remain neutral when in public. Not all dogs want to have dog friends, and many dogs are calm in the presence of other dogs even though they do not want to play. Listen to your dog. Many dogs do not enjoy the company of dogs of the same sex once they are mature. It is your responsibility as the dogs owner to advocate for your dog, and as the advocate that means not putting your dog in situations where conflict may occur.

Above all else, don't despair, and don't give up. Keep training, be patient, give your dog adequate exercise and mental stimulation so that they are better able to cope with their changing body. Avoid putting them in situations that are exciting or frustrating. It is at this time in development that many dogs are re-homed, returned to breeders, or surrendered to shelters, but if you are prepared this doesn't have to be you!

Please remember, in spite of the challenges of having an adolescent dog, it is a temporary phase. It is important to remember your dog will grow up. You need to keep your relationship with your dog in the front of your mind, and have patience when your pup is challenging. You will be rewarded with a wonderful companion in the end.