Pets
Adolescence
The adolescent, or juvenile period begins as early as four months, and continues until your puppy is both sexually and behaviorally mature. Sexual maturity can happen as early as six months, but behavioral maturity sometimes doesn't occur until your dog is a year or two old. Adolescence is a stage in your puppy's development that is somewhat similar to the teenage years of children. It is a time of transition and physical, mental, and emotional change. The puppy's behaviors are changing from the immature behaviors of youth to the mature behaviors of the adult. He is no longer a puppy anymore, but he isn't an adult yet either, either. By being knowledgeable and aware of the typical behaviors that are displayed by adolescent dogs, why they might be occurring, and how in turn to deal with then, you can make this transitional time easier for both of you.Increased Independence
An adolescent is more confident in himself and more willing to start exploring his world on his own. He feels more comfortable being away from family members and the security they provide. Because the world has become such an exciting place to explore, your adolescent may be very distracted and seem not to listen as well as he did when he was younger. This shouldn't be characterized as rebellious behavior, but a reorganization of the puppy's priorities. You may not be the most important thing in his life for a while.
The Effect of Sexual Maturity
Especially prior to being neutered, young male dogs who may be close to sexual (but not behavioral) maturity may have one thing on their mind -- spending time with young female dogs, and vice versa. You will have a very difficult time competing with the intact male's raging hormones for your dog's attention. This is a good reason to have your male neutered and your female spayed.
Training is Incomplete
Even though you've done a great job with your puppy so far, with the help of your PETsMART trainer, training is incomplete. Your adolescent needs to learn that "sit" and other cues you have begun to teach him require the same response in many different environments and in the face of many distractions. You have begun this process of teaching your dog to respond to you no matter what's going on around him, but you and he haven't had enough time together yet for him to completely understand this concept. In a completely new environment, or under unfamiliar circumstances, your dog may act as though he's never heard the word before.
Behavioral Variability
A time of change means that a dog's behavior patterns are variable. Your puppy may immediately respond to your every request one day, and act as though he can't hear you the next. More puppy like behavior patterns may be the norm for a few days, followed by the actions of a mature dog. He may greet a stranger with typical puppy exuberance one day, and shy away from him the next. Many adult behavior patterns fully develop between one to two years of age. It is not uncommon for some types of aggressive behavior problems to develop during this time. Puppies of this age still have a strong urge to chew. This is normal.
Be Consistent
Consistency and persistency will pay off. Even if you have to revert to more basic training methods from time to time, make sure that you follow through and see that your puppy responds to your directions. Do not lower your standards for your dog's behavior during this turbulent period. Even though there are understandable reasons why your dog may be less reliable during this time, that doesn't mean ignoring your requests is acceptable. You must focus on not rewarding or giving into undesirable behavior patterns such as attention getting and pestering. You've already learned that dogs do what works for them. Make sure that what works for your dog is listening to and responding to the cues you give him. Don't make excuses for why your pup didn't want to respond to you, just calmly see that he does, using the methods you've learned in this course.
Nothing In Life Is Free
Adolescence may fool you, because you might be thinking that you've just about got this puppy hood thing under control. Keep up with and stay on top of the repertoire you taught him in class. Continue to apply and enforce what you have learned in this course. Training should be a part of your dog's daily routine. Use whatever your dog perceives as highlights of his day, as real life rewards for compliance. Nothing in life comes free. Before you do anything for your dog, request him do something for you first. For example, always have him "sit" and "wait" before you feed him, take him for a walk, allow him to get out of the car, etc. Help him learn that the quickest way to get what he wants is to simply comply with your requests. By shifting the responsibility to the dog to choose to want to comply in order to earn a reward, you take all the confrontation out of your training.
Aggressive Actions
The most serious and concerning behavior that can surface during adolescence is aggressive behaviors. As mentioned above, aggressive and threatening behavior patterns seem to become fully developed around this time. Adhering to the previously described format will certainly help to circumvent problems in this area, but if your dog exhibits aggressive behaviors contact your PETsMART trainer immediately. He or she will be able to advise you of how to obtain help for the problem.
Not Coming When Called
Your dog's increased independence may make it more difficult to get him to come when he is called. When you least expect it and/or if the right opportunity arises, it is not unusual for an adolescent dog to run off property for the first time. Take every precaution to prevent your dog from ever having the opportunity to run off. A dog that is never given the chance to roam even one time, never knows what he's missing. The dog that has tasted freedom can't wait to do it again.
Now is the time to install the fence you where contemplating or put up a dog run. When none of these options are available, put him on a 50-foot long line and allow him to drag it around so you can exercise him. If he makes an attempt to run off, you should step on the line. This ensures his safety. Adolescents are unpredictable, undependable, and untrustworthy. They give no warnings to their erratic behavior. Your adolescent still needs plenty of constructive exercise, but you must keep his safety first in mind.
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PETsMART Accredited Training Instructors, in addition to their previous experience, receive a minimum of 120 hours of training in a curriculum which includes: Canine Behavior, Learning Theory ("How Dogs Learn"), Problem-Solving, Classroom Management, Equipment, Handling Skills and more. Where possible, hands-on training is completed in partnership with local shelters, using shelter dogs to demonstrate training methods, behavior assessment and handling skills. This enables us to accredit our instructors while contributing to the community, as we help to make these dogs even more adoptable.
Suzanne Hetts Ph.D. is certified as an applied animal behaviorist and co-owner of Animal Behavior Associates, Inc., in Denver, CO.
Terry Ryan is the well-known author of training books such as The Toolbox for Remodeling Your Problem Dog and The Bark Stops Here.
Pia Silvani is the Director of Pet Training and Behavior at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, N.J.
Mary Lee Nitschke, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at Linfield College, an Animal Behavior Therapist and the Director of Training for Animal School in Portland, OR.
Trish King is the Director of the Animal Behavior and Training Department at the Marin Humane Society in Marin County, CA.
Pamela J. Reid, Ph.D. is a certified applied animal behaviorist and assistant professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, where she teaches veterinary students courses in Applied Ethology and the Principles of Learning.
Information and advice contained on this site is for your consideration only. Please consult your veterinarian for specific advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet.
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