Your Dog’s Rebellious Teenage Years
By: David Cruz
Be prepared to experience every stage of life when you bring a dog home: the sweet and cuddly puppy stage; the frisky and playful young adult stage; and the slow, wise, and calm pace of the later years. But did you know dogs go through a rebellious teenage phase too?
If your puppy has started acting out after months of good behavior and obeyed commands, they might just be going through a stubborn adolescent period.
Changes in Your Dog’s Brain and Body
Recent research from the UK suggests there may be a stint of time when your dog channels an adolescent phase, complete with wild emotions and a refusal to obey. Just like humans, dogs go through puberty. And also like humans, this developmental stage brings many physical and emotional changes that manifest in unexpected behaviors.
During puberty, your dog’s prefrontal cortex—AKA the part of the brain responsible for logical thinking and decision making—is still growing. Additionally, your dog’s body is releasing more hormones than usual. These hormones are essential to developing your dog’s growing body, but they also impact their emotions.
The result? Dogs in puberty may become stubborn and defiant, testing boundaries and seeking independence.
These changes can be taxing for dog owners, but they also have great implications on a wider scale. Studies show that the majority of dogs who are surrendered to shelters are between 5 months and 3 years of age.
That’s right—a concerning number of pet owners give up their dogs during adolescence. By teaching pet owners about this difficult stage in a dog’s life and talking about how to navigate it, hopefully we can move toward fewer dogs being relinquished at shelters.
When Are Dogs Considered Teenagers?
In canines, adolescence begins around 7 or 8 months of age. This is just a generalization though, as the onset of puberty depends on a dog’s breed and size. For example, larger dogs tend to enter puberty later but stay in that stage longer.
By the time a dog enters puberty, they have all their adult teeth and are most likely potty trained. But just because you’ve passed these hurdles doesn’t mean you’re in the clear as far as difficult puppy behavior goes! As a “teenager,” your dog is still growing, learning, and testing the limits of their independence.
How Do Adolescent Dogs Act?
The hormonal changes of a dog in puberty can manifest in different ways. You may start to witness behaviors that you’ve never seen before (and most likely won’t have to deal with again once your dog exits the adolescent phase).
Common behaviors exhibited by a dog in adolescence include:
Refusal to obey commands that have previously been mastered
Unexpected bouts of aggression
Refusal to walk on a leash
Frequent marking of territory (in male dogs)
Displays of food aggression, especially in houses with multiple pets
Dealing with these behaviors in a young dog can be challenging. It might be helpful to keep in mind that these behaviors aren’t the result of your dog intentionally rebelling. The issue isn’t that your dog is unhappy with you and is acting out as a result. What’s happening is your dog is experiencing many hormonal changes and is most likely extra distracted by their environment.
What Are NOT Signs of Doggy Adolescence?
While doggy adolescence brings about several undesired behaviors, you can’t write off every bad behavior as a symptom of puberty.
Here are some signs that, when displayed consistently, might indicate an underlying medical condition:
Lack of energy
Loss of appetite
Regression in house training
These symptoms may happen sporadically in dogs of any age. But if you notice these behaviors persistently—for several days in a row—talk to your veterinarian to make sure there’s not something more serious going on.
How to Deal with Your Dog’s Teenage Stage
The extent to which a dog’s “teenager” behavior depends on the breed and temperament. Some dogs can pass through adolescence without any issues, while others may stay in this stubborn phase until about three years of age.
Regardless of what kind of dog you have, all pet owners can benefit from learning how to respond to this behavior—especially if your dog is one of those who stays a “teenager” for years on end.
Here are some tips for dealing with your dog’s rebellious teenage years:
Give your dog plenty of exercise, both mentally and physically. Help your dog channel that extra puppy energy into something productive, like puzzle toys or going on long walks. By finding proper and interesting ways to get your dog’s attention, they won’t be as distracted by their environment and will be less likely to exhibit unwanted behaviors.
Focus on nutrition. Good nutrition is essential at every stage in your dog’s life, but especially in the adolescent stage. Puberty sets off a huge growth phase in your dog’s body and brain. Promote healthy growth by feeding your dog a diet rich in nutrients and high in protein. Your vet can help you decide on the best food for your dog.
Consider getting your dog spayed or neutered. Sometimes, getting your dog “fixed” can prevent hormone-induced behavior problems. Your vet can help you decide when is the right time to have your dog spayed or neutered.
Above all, know that this phase is normal. Your dog isn’t a “bad dog” just because they’ve stopped responding to commands or have resorted to chewing up your shoes when you’re gone. The best thing you can do is to be firm and consistent with training while your dog navigates this confusing stage of life.
Creating a Strong Relationship with Your Dog
You have a lot of responsibilities as a dog owner. From toys and treats to scheduling vet appointments and taking measures to prevent a flea infestation, it’s your job to keep your pup happy and healthy.
In addition to those tasks, it’s also up to you to promote a positive and healthy relationship with your dog. By understanding each stage of their life and knowing what to expect—especially during the tricky adolescent phase—you’re doing all you can to build a foundation of trust and love with your dog.
