You brought home a sweet, playful puppy who followed you everywhere, eager to learn and please. But now? They鈥檝e started ignoring cues, barking at things they never used to notice, and seem to have selective hearing鈥攅specially when you call them at the park.
Sound familiar? Welcome to the teenage dog phase.
This stage, also called adolescence, can begin around six months of age for some breeds and last well into the second year of life. It鈥檚 a natural part of your dog鈥檚 development, but it can leave even the most patient guardians feeling confused or overwhelmed.
What鈥檚 happening with your puppy?
Just like human teens, adolescent dogs are undergoing big changes鈥攈ormonally, physically, and emotionally. Their brains are still developing, and they鈥檙e starting to test boundaries, explore the world with more independence, and sometimes act like they鈥檝e never heard the word 鈥渟it鈥� before. It鈥檚 not that they鈥檝e forgotten their training鈥攖hey鈥檙e just distracted, overstimulated, and working through their new adolescent brain chemistry.
One of the most surprising shifts during this time can be fearfulness or reactivity. A dog who once loved everyone might suddenly bark at strangers or avoid new experiences. This is often due to a secondary fear period that occurs during adolescence. It鈥檚 temporary, but how you respond makes a big difference.
This phase doesn鈥檛 last. But it does matter
The good news? Your goofy, sometimes frustrating teenage dog will grow up. The challenging behaviours鈥攑ulling on leash, ignoring cues, barking at other dogs鈥攁ren鈥檛 signs of a 鈥渂ad dog.鈥� They鈥檙e signs of a young dog who needs support, structure, and understanding while their brain catches up to their body.
What does matter is how we guide them through it. Without clear, compassionate support, those temporary behaviours can become long-term habits. Think of this stage as your second chance to develop the adult dog you want to live with.
How to help your teenage dog thrive
1. Stay patient and keep training positive
Even if your dog suddenly acts like they鈥檝e never heard a cue before, stay calm. Go back to basics in quiet environments, reward the effort, and keep sessions short and fun.
2. Support, don鈥檛 scold
Your dog isn鈥檛 being stubborn鈥攖hey鈥檙e struggling. Scolding, yanking on the leash, or using punishment can actually make things worse, especially if fear is involved. Focus on building trust and confidence instead.
3. Give them safe, positive experiences
Keep socialization going, but don鈥檛 overwhelm them. Let your dog observe the world at their own pace and reward the behaviour. This helps reduce the chances of reactivity or long-term fearfulness.
4. Burn off that energy
Teenage dogs need outlets. Walks, sniffing, training games, puzzles, and even tug can help meet their mental and physical needs.
5. Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for help
If your dog鈥檚 behaviour becomes unmanageable or concerning, reach out to a force-free trainer. You鈥檙e not alone鈥攁nd it鈥檚 never too early to get support.
You鈥檝e got this
Raising a teenage dog can be messy, funny, and sometimes a little maddening鈥攂ut it鈥檚 also a beautiful opportunity. With patience, kindness, and consistency, you鈥檒l help your dog grow into the confident, well-mannered adult they鈥檙e meant to be.
Hang in there鈥攜our best friend is still growing up.
