Adolescence

[Max#1]

Our puppy is nearly 8 months old, and seems to be going through a bit of a 'stage'. He's sometimes disobedient, and has had the odd growl at us - for things he's previously accepted - for example suddenly not wanting his car harness on, or not wanting a bath. I realize he's probably at an age where he's pushing the boundaries, and there's probably dominance issues as well. (Where's my devoted puppy gone?! )

My puppy is a high-energy little rocket! He's as smart as buttons, but picks up bad habits so quickly - and I guess this is me 'teaching' him the wrong thing! For example, I must have done something now that he thinks when we go in the backyard its play time. And if I am out there, he will bark at me to get me to play with him - not desirable behaviour. We've struggled with obedience training - til I found a game of tug or fetch is a much better reward than food. We're doing age-appropriate foundation work with a flyball club - and he's just amazed me with how quickly he's picked it up! Meanwhile I still struggle with him pulling on the lead! And just recently we've had a spate of not coming when called at the park, which is a worry.

I'm genuinely interested in hearing about other's experiences with this stage of development. Did you have these issues? How did you deal with them? Did you do anything that was successful? Did you try anything that failed? How long did this stage last for?

(I should add we are seeking help for these things - I just want to hear about other's experiences, and maybe get some encouragement that it does pass/can be worked through.... )

[W Sibs]

Emmy is 9 months now and she is the total opposite!! She has calmed down a lot, she is more confidence and settled that she is really really good. Training her is so much fun now that she is more focus and all she wants is to make me happy. She loves her rules I've set for her because now she knows what is she allowed and not allowed to do, and Emmy being sensitive, she doesn't like making anyone upset.

Because she is so good.. it's easy to reward her with free running at parks, taking her to picnics with her and everything. She LOVES doing what her pack is doing, she needs to be part of it and involved with it.

Her issues is that she is still socialisation based, so I'm going to forever socialise the hell out of her. But, to the pace where she is comfortable and her confidence builds when I let her sort out some of her issues on her own. I'm just there to supervise and be there when she has had enough and give her praise and cuddles when she overcome her issue.

She still needs a firm hand though. Emmy is very energetic, busy and always needs something to do... that's who she is

She still feisty, still bosses her brother around (whacking him on the head with a toy is her way of inviting Charlie to play), she will still launch in my arms to tell me that she's bored and wants to play, has a fetish for my expensive handbags and shoes, and still has the need to tell me EVERYTHING that happens

Issues that comes up with Emmy... we worked on it till we get a satisfying result. There is no such thing as giving up or failure... it might takes months or it's going to be an on going thing, but I want the best for my pup, so failure is not an option

[The Spotted Devil]

My Dally had a very looooooong adolescence period. He tested me every single step of the way and I just did my best to be consistent and persistent. Oh, and to remind myself that "this too will pass!" At 18 months he transformed into a different dog and all the hard work I'd put in paid off. He's now 4 and an absolute delight to live with.....not to mention having a ball with dog sports with CCD, JD and AD to his name. Be patient. Put in strict boundaries and teach lots of self-control!

[whiskedaway]

Our Sibe is nearly 10 months old. We realised she was becoming a stroppy teenager at about six months old when she stopped listening to anything we said. Four months later, and we've suddenly noticed that she's a lot better, yet still has her times when she gives us the metaphorical finger. She's got lots of boundaries in place (which is important for a Sibe anyway because they thrive on rules) and we try to remain as consistent as possible. I just keep telling myself to be patient, which can be really hard at times.

[luvsdogs]

Have a listen to this radio broadcast of Dr Ian Dunbar etc talking about adolescent mayhem.

http://dogstardaily.com/radio/213-adolescent-mayhem

Edited December 14, 2010 by luvsdogs

[Nahla + Teddy's Mum]

My 2 are going through this now...Nahla at almost 9 months has grown up a lot in the last couple of weeks and seems to be more of a "dog" than a "puppy" now. We have noticed some personality traits change and she is becoming more relaxed and chilled out and not as hyper as she was. She is becoming better on the lead and always sits when asked first time, comes when called etc. Teddy at 7.5 months is the complete opposite! I had to check that he still had ears the other day as nothing was registering with him. He would not sit, not come, not heal on the lead and wouldnt follow us around like he always had. He started growling at Nahla and jumping on her when she was sleeping to get a reaction from her so I've had to work hard with him latley.

I know this is just a phase and all dogs go through it differently but it will pass soon and I just have to stay firm and I will ahve great dogs on the other side!

Good luck your not alone!!

[B-Q]

Quinn turns 7 months on christmas day, I am nervous about her naughty teenage stage but I think if you put in good groundwork before, keep implementing rules and boundaries when their being pains in the butts and do what you hasve to to keep them safe during this naughty time. (ie: keeping the dog onleash as it might not come when called) you just have to wait it out and keep consistent, they'll come through it.

4 years ago we had 2 puppy around 8-10 months old on christmas, we lost a few presents from under the tree that year.

[Max#1]

Thanks! Its good to hear that this time will pass -and that other's have experienced it too.

I will definitely listen to that audio when I get home - from the introduction it sounds very interesting!

[sheena]

My BC gilr changed overnight when she turned 18 months...before that there are times I could have easily given her back & never thought I would survive. So different to all the other BC's we have had. She still has moments of "selective hearing", but I just turn around & yell "I'm going!!" & she is by my side in a flash

[Bundyburger]

My Dally had a very looooooong adolescence period. He tested me every single step of the way and I just did my best to be consistent and persistent. Oh, and to remind myself that "this too will pass!" At 18 months he transformed into a different dog and all the hard work I'd put in paid off. He's now 4 and an absolute delight to live with.....not to mention having a ball with dog sports with CCD, JD and AD to his name. Be patient. Put in strict boundaries and teach lots of self-control!

We had the same thing here... at 15 months, Bundy is turning into a beautiful dog.. his obedience still needs more indepth work because I got slack, but he is at a stage I am happy with now.

You just have to be patient and keep the rules and boundaries in place.

[Max#1]

That radio show was really interesting. Sometimes its just so nice to hear that what you're going through is normal. Even now, Max has had a great few days and is back to his normal self, and you're left just scratching your head! (Any others anyone would recommend?)

I'm so glad that we socialized so much - with both adult dogs and puppies. I can't believe how important it is. You do it at the time, because someone tells you its a good idea, but the implications of that seem so important later on. Especially if you want a dog who you can take anywhere, and who you can be confident with!

With the recalls I haven't taken any chances and I've started carrying around yummy treats again - and making sure that my praise is completely overboard, whether he's coming back in the park or coming to me when I'm in the bathroom!!! Its like going back to square one. I'm pretty sure Max is happy about that!

I think the biggest thing that remains a problem at the moment is tethering. He won't be tethered, not even if I stand 30 cm away. If I move back to him, he puts his front paws around me so tight - and its not humping. You'd think separation anxiety - but I can't see any other symptoms of that. He's relaxed when we leave him at home, and when we come home there's no dramas (I made a point of establishing this after having a very anxious mini-poodle when I was younger). He will sit in the car quite happily if I leave him there. But tie him to a fence post and all hell breaks loose. He'll chew through a lead in two seconds, and escape from a collar/harness no worries (thick neck, skinny head). I'm pretty sure I've caused this, but no idea how to fix it.

[ChocDood]

Its so conforting to hear that others have the same problem. Milo's 9 months and exactly what you all described. He was an angel just 4 months ago and now is so difficult. I heard about this amazing change at around 18 months that will happen. Until then, its tug of war at walks and just being patient, which is the hard part!

[corvus]

Erik lost his brain at about 7 months and it wasn't until he was about 14 months that he started being a normal dog again. During that 6 months or so or adolescent madness he had the attention span of a flea. Even training him in the house was difficult! So I figured if he could only concentrate for 30 seconds we'd do 20 second training sessions and work up. This was a good idea, but I didn't generalise it enough and consequently a lot of the good work I'd put in when he was a puppy in distracting environments was lost and I had to go back to the beginning, almost.

A few things survived from puppyhood. They were self-control exercises, recalls, and default downs whenever he wants something.

[Rottigirl]

My boy is 16 months he was a dream until he hit about 9 months and then his attention to distractions increased and with that correct responses with success decreased. We did Steve's Triangle of Temptation (thanks Steve you are a legend) practiced NILF, returned the training to a very basic level, reduced the possibility of incorrect responses and went back to OB school. I still have momentary lapses but consider my training deficient and analyse why and work out how I can fix it and improve the response. We are far from perfect but I do enjoy a challenge and I see the funny side of most training issues (he hasn't *touch wood* had any serious probs). I do love that my dog has his own little personality, zoomies in the middle of a down/stay are still hysterical

But tie him to a fence post and all hell breaks loose. He'll chew through a lead in two seconds, and escape from a collar/harness no worries (thick neck, skinny head). I'm pretty sure I've caused this, but no idea how to fix it.

Have you tried Steve's Triangle of Temptation? Although I believed my boy tied well he improved with this training.

Edited December 17, 2010 by Rottigirl

[corvus]

I'm pretty sure I've caused this, but no idea how to fix it.

Don't be so sure it was your fault.

This is a panic thing, according to Steven Lindsay. I was reading about it just last night. Essentially the dog doesn't feel safe. That could just be that he doesn't trust you will come back to him because he hasn't ever been taught that you will in this particular circumstance. Add a physical barrier that prevents him going after you and you could have a dog that is also frustrated, which heightens arousal and just perpetuates the emotional anxiety.

Have you seen Karen Overall's Protocol for Relaxation? It's on the web if you do a Google search. It teaches dogs to accept a lot of things that they often find very exciting or stimulating in a calm manner. I think it would help a lot to teach your dog to accept tethering calmly. You could do the whole protocol with him tethered.

[Guest english.ivy]

My Pointer is nearly ten months old and he hasn't been too bad at all. He gets no training but his recall at the beach is perfect and he's pure joy to have, he just doesn't realise how big he is. He likes to body slam with love

Thinking back Ivy was a little sh*t around the same age and she grew up about 18 months. She didn't do anything naughty, she was an air head! Now she's a great role model.