As humans we know the transition into adulthood is challenging, with hormones raging and behaviours not always appreciated. The same goes for dogs. As puppies’ bodies and brains mature they seem to get bored easily and have no self control.
“Hi there I am seeking help or advice, I have an 8 month old Belgian Mali shepherd mix who has developed social issues, growling and barking at strangers and behavioural issues like herding and chasing. The more I interact with her the more she gets wound up, she has no attention span, she is not food motivated or toy motivated, she is relentless, she doesn’t enjoy being petted, she won’t stand still for any amount of time, she is pacing the floors and runs everywhere, she is dangerously hyper and has hurt herself jumping up on things. She does get exercised but not as much as I would like due to her chasing cars and almost pulling my shoulder out. Please if there is anything you can do to help it would be very much appreciated.”
The above query is typical of many we receive. Getting your cute puppy at around eight weeks old you are lulled into a false sense of security by their puppy neediness and cuddliness. But all too soon adolescence strikes…
When does a dog become a teenager?
Adolescent behaviour in dogs starts much earlier than you probably thought, sometimes as early as 18-20 weeks, though more often from around six or seven months of age, and this frustrating stage can last until the dog is around 18 months to 2 years old.
Adolescence covers the transition from cute bundle of fluff to physical maturity and is the time of brain maturation – just like in humans. Young dogs like action and speed, they get easily bored when nothing is happening and they have no self-control at all.
Changes in their behaviour
This means that they often can’t control themselves when something exciting happens and they can become over-stimulated and over-excited very easily, just like the dog in our query.
Things seen as cute and funny in tiny puppies become annoying – adolescent dogs become rowdier, mouthier, jumpier and more obnoxious than at any other time in their development. They may develop short fuses and will test you and even ignore you. (Can you see the similarities with humans? I still have the mental scars from my children’s teenage years.)
Adolescence is a frustrating and difficult time for both humans and dogs. Instead of responding to your every command and walking nicely on leash, they ignore you, jump up on everyone and everything, pull on the leash and act as if they have never had any training whatsoever – and it’s even worse if they haven’t!
Get help as early as possible
If you are struggling with your teenage dog, please ask for help. We’ve got a range of behaviour packages, from individual House Visit 121s and online calls, to specific courses such as our Reactive Rover Bootcamp, an online live taught course of 12 sessions over four weeks. It’s an intensive course which will explore the reasons for the behaviours your dog is exhibiting and teaches a range of exercises and games to teach your dog to cope with the things they’re finding difficult. The next Bootcamp starts on 30th September.
Dealing with problems as soon as they arise is so much easier than trying to change embedded habits and behaviours – in dogs and in humans!
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
