Adolescence in dogs typically begins around 6 to 12 months of age, though the exact timing can vary depending on the breed and size of the dog:
Small Breeds: Adolescence may start as early as 5-6 months and usually ends around 12 months.
Medium Breeds: For medium-sized dogs, adolescence typically starts around 6-8 months and can last until they are 12-18 months old.
Large and Giant Breeds: In larger breeds, adolescence often starts later, around 9-12 months, and can extend up to 18-24 months or longer due to their slower maturation rate.
During this period, dogs go through physical, hormonal and behavioural changes as they transition from puppyhood to adulthood. Here's a summary of the main changes:
Physiological Changes
Growth Spurts: Dogs experience rapid growth, particularly in bone and muscle development. Their body proportions may change, and they can appear gangly or clumsy at times.
Teething: Permanent teeth replace their puppy teeth, which can lead to discomfort and chewing behaviour.
Energy Levels: Adolescent dogs tend to have high energy levels, which can fluctuate as they mature.
Hormonal Changes
Sex Hormones: As dogs reach sexual maturity, the production of sex hormones (testosterone in males, oestrogen and progesterone in females) increases significantly.
Behavioural Impact: The rise in hormones can lead to sexual behaviours, such as marking in males or heat cycles in females. These hormones can also affect behaviour.
Mood Swings: Adolescence in dogs can lead to unpredictable behaviour, as hormones cause mood changes, similar to teenage angst in humans. Often we can recognise these as “off-days”.
Physical Changes
Muscle Development: Muscle mass increases during this phase, giving dogs a more adult-like physique.
Coat Changes: Some dogs experience changes in their coat, such as the texture or thickness, as they mature.
Weight Fluctuations: Their weight and size can change rapidly as they grow into their adult bodies.
Behavioural and Cognitive Development
Independence: Dogs may become more independent, testing boundaries and exploring their autonomy.
Social Behaviour: Social hierarchies with other dogs may be challenged as dogs try to establish their role in the pack. Dogs will also become more socially selective as they mature.
Arousal: They may struggle to regulate their arousal temporarily.
Adolescent dogs are going through a critical developmental phase that can impact their adult behaviour. Consistent training, correct socialisation, and predictability are key during this period.
Adolescence in dogs is often compared to the teenage years in humans—riddled with mood swings, testing of boundaries, and unpredictable behaviours. Many dog owners find themselves saying, "They're just being a teenager," using it as an excuse to overlook their dog’s unruly behaviour. While it’s true that adolescent dogs are undergoing significant changes, this is no time to let go of training. In fact, it’s the perfect time to sharpen up your approach and stay consistent.
Here’s why consistency and structure are your best friends during this phase, and how you can successfully guide your adolescent dog into adulthood.
Consistency is Crucial
During adolescence, your dog is likely to push boundaries to test what they can get away with. If your approach to training is inconsistent, this phase becomes even more challenging. When you let things slide, such as ignoring a command here or there, you're reinforcing bad habits. Your dog needs clarity about what is expected from them, and that requires you to be consistent in both the rules you set and the way you enforce them.
Follow Through with Commands: If you give a command, ensure that it’s followed. Whether it’s “sit”, “heel”, or “come,” never leave a command unfinished. By following through, you reinforce that your dog must listen every time, it is after all a command not a request.
Remove Ambiguity: Make sure your commands and expectations are crystal clear. If your dog gets mixed signals, they will struggle to know what is acceptable. Stick to one word for each command, and keep it simple. Additionally make sure if there are multiple handlers (family members, dog walkers) for the dog that everyone is consistent.
Set Your Dog Up for Success
One common mistake during this phase is expecting too much too soon. Adolescent dogs may seem full-grown physically, but mentally, they’re still learning. Placing them in unpredictable situations or asking them to perform tasks beyond their current abilities can lead to failure. Instead, build up your dog’s skills gradually.
Avoid Over-Stimulating Situations
Don't place your dog in high-pressure environments where their chances of success are slim. For example, if your dog struggles with recall in highly stimulating places like a busy park, practice in quieter settings first and slowly increase the triggers as their skills improve.
Limit Unearnt Freedom
Too much unearnt freedom can lead to behavioural problems. Most adolescent dogs struggle with too much freedom and can become over-aroused by it. In the home, it may encourage destructive behaviours and poor etiquette, while outside, it may result in redirection (biting the leash, jumping at the handler), reactivity or ignoring commands like recall. Give freedom only when your dog has earnt it by consistently following commands and being in the right state of mind. If your adolescent dog often gets “zooms” this is often a sign of over-arousal and an inability to cope with freedom.
Establish and Enforce Boundaries
Adolescent dogs will test their limits, much like human teenagers. You must clearly define and enforce boundaries, both for their safety and your relationship.
Set Clear Limits
Be specific about which behaviours are acceptable and which are not. If jumping on guests is not allowed, enforce that rule every time. Mixed signals will only confuse your dog and make training more difficult.
Hold Them Accountable
If your dog pushes boundaries, correct the behaviour immediately and appropriately. Allowing misbehaviour without consequence will only reinforce bad habits.
Keep Training Sessions Short and Productive
Adolescent dogs can be easily over-aroused and distracted, therefore long training sessions can be counterproductive. Instead, focus on short, focused sessions that reinforce the behaviours you want.
Limit Over-Arousal
When your dog becomes too excited or overwhelmed, they’re less likely to respond to commands. Keep training sessions short and end on a positive note before your dog loses focus.
Balance Training with Discipline
Discipline does not mean being harsh; it means being clear, consistent, and fair. Enforcing the rules should come from a place of guidance, not frustration.
Avoid Using Adolescence as an Excuse
It’s easy to excuse misbehaviour during this phase to "just being a teenager," but in reality, this is a critical time to double down on training. Adolescence is when your dog’s behaviours are being shaped for adulthood. By letting things slide now, you’re essentially telling your dog that poor behaviour is acceptable. Instead of excusing their actions, use this period to reinforce good habits.
Be Firm, Not Frustrated
Adolescent dogs will test your patience, but staying calm and firm is key. Losing your temper or becoming inconsistent only confuses the dog and undermines your training efforts. A good leader is calm, fair and consistent.
Know Your Dog’s Limits
While it’s important to enforce rules, it’s equally important not to set your dog up for failure. Adolescence is a time of immense growth, and some behaviours are simply due to developmental changes. Be patient but firm, and avoid putting your dog in situations where they are destined to fail.
Avoid Unfair Situations
Don’t expose your dog to situations that are too difficult for them to handle just yet. For instance, do not expect perfect recall in a high-distraction environment if they are still mastering it in quieter areas.
Conclusion: Stay Consistent, Stay Patient
Adolescence is a challenging time, but it is also a crucial period for shaping your dog’s future behaviour. By remaining consistent, enforcing boundaries, and avoiding situations where they are set up to fail, you can help your dog navigate this phase successfully. Remember, adolescent dogs aren’t just being rebellious for the sake of it—they’re testing and learning. This is your opportunity to guide them with clear, consistent training that will set them up for a well-behaved adulthood.
The more consistent and patient you are now, the easier it will be when they finally grow out of their “teenage” phase. Sharpen up on training, stay clear with boundaries, and you’ll get through this phase more easily and the result will be a well-behaved adult dog.
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