Why teenage dogs are extra challenging
And what you can do to counter it!
And what you can do to counter it!
November 27, 2024
Yes, dogs go through puberty too! And just like with humans, their system becomes flooded with hormones and your pup may become more stubborn, stop listening, become less focused on you or show other angsty, delinquent behaviours.
Your pup’s teenage-hood lasts from around 5 - 18 months of age (the human equivalent of 10 - 20 years). It is a huge developmental stage when the architecture of their brain changes, and it’s normal for your pup to push the boundaries during this time, much like a human teenager would. Their hormones are raging, and their focus can shift away from you and out to the glorious distractions of the big, wide world.
Basically they're moving out of their socialisation phase (when they're building their social behaviours and learning who their ‘pack’ is, so therefore their focus is strongly on you) into their exploration phase when hunting and sexual drivers become more important (therefore they are much more interested in smells, other dogs, chasing things etc). Looking back at the ancestor, they are moving from the den they are raised in for first 4 months and heading out as migratory hunters with the pack. The big world offers lots of risks so hunting, sex, social structure and safety become the drivers over you and the family.
These changes carry risk, so before I delve into the typical teenage issues (and how to work through them) I strongly encourage you to ensure you have pet insurance for your teenage dog. Like human teenagers, teenage dogs get into trouble and from my experience, this is a prime time for accidents, injuries and dog fights to occur. However, unlike human teenagers, they do not receive free public healthcare if something goes wrong. I choose Southern Cross Pet Insurance because I’m very happy with the level of cover offered by their plans, they are a trustworthy provider and my previous claims have always been handled smoothly (the best test of all). Check out their range of plans here.
Right - let’s get into it.
If not properly managed, your pup can get into trouble during their teenage period. Sadly, behavioural issues are the number one cause of death in young dogs and it’s when pups hit puberty that the wheels tend to fall off and owners feel that they don’t understand or don’t know how to cope.
Next I’ll explore a few specific issues and risks that are common with dogs this age.
As your pup hits their teenage months, their energy levels majorly increase along with their need for both physical and mental stimulation. They are pent up and raring to go, perhaps driving you a little crazy with their energy to burn!
Boredom and a lack of exercise can absolutely lead to a whole range of problematic behaviours, so it can be tempting to tire them out by any means possible. However, it’s still so important to manage what TYPE of activity your pup is doing to protect their growing body. Pups are still very susceptible to injury in the first 12 months, and overdoing it can lead to long-term issues. In 2023, Southern Cross Pet Insurance received over 900 claims for dogs with osteoarthritis and 463 claims for dogs with hip dysplasia, with the cost of treatment sometimes topping $6000. So it’s not an insignificant issue - and being protective of your pup’s growing body can go a long way in preventing issues like these.
Instead, aim for short bursts of activity more frequently rather than endurance exercise. Focus on stimulating the brain with low impact mental stimulation (this still burns a lot of energy!) and avoid high impact activities like agility, excessive ball throwing or running behind a bike until after 12 months. Doggy daycare is a great option for working pet parents.
A number of social issues can begin to emerge during teenage-hood, though these are less likely to have a major impact if your pup had very good early socialisation.
1. Loss of puppy license
Puppies generally get a bit of a “free pass” with older dogs - older dogs will often tolerate behaviours from young pups (up to 8 months) that they wouldn’t from other teenage and adult dogs (overexcitement, jowl licking, jumping up, nipping etc). If your pup hasn’t learned good manners by puberty, other dogs may respond to them in a less tolerant way which can lead to fighting.
2. Dominance increases
During puberty is when pups can become more dominant - some pups more than others, of course, depending on their inherent disposition and socialisation. This can present as resource guarding, inappropriate humping and aggression - all of which greatly increase the risk of dog fights.
3. Fear reactions increase
Teenage pups can become inexplicably more fearful or reactive, leading to negative interactions.
There are notable fear imprint periods that manifest post 4 months that have evolved to sensitise your dog to novel things - useful as a safety mechanism in the wild, not so much in our human world.
Dog fights account for a large number of serious injuries, Southern Cross Pet Insurance paid out 448 claims for dog fight injuries in 2023. It can be dangerous and traumatic for all involved, including you as the owner!
By far the most common complaint I hear from teenage puppy owners is that their dog seems to simply stop listening! They become more stubborn, more resistant to commands and recall in particular becomes a challenge. Changes in the teenage brain make them more likely to push boundaries and they are FAR more interested in smells, hunting and other dogs as their sexual and predatory inclinations grow.
Traffic injuries, dog fights, and ingestion of dangerous objects are all leading causes of claims for our precious dogs, according to Southern Cross Pet Insurance - and avoiding these dangerous issues is reliant on your dog listening and responding to you.
1. Establish good training foundations (ideally before puberty hits!)
Having good training foundations will help you pull your pup through the challenges of adolescence much more easily. As well as the basic commands, focus on building sociability, confidence and emotional resilience.
2. Understand your pup may challenge you more
This is a normal part of your pup’s puberty, so try not to become frustrated or anxious when you encounter some teenage resistance. Your pup will sense your anxiety, and it doesn’t help - they need you to be calm, consistent and confident through this time.
3. Continue to maintain boundaries
You may need to be more consistent and firm with a teenage pup than a younger puppy in order to keep them focused.
4. Desex your pup
Generally desexed dogs are easier to manage, so have a chat to your vet about a good time for desexing based on your dog’s breed and size. If you start to see problematic behaviours such as dominance, aggression, marking or excessive humping, I recommend desexing on the earlier side to help curtail these issues.
5. Continue training your pup
So many people throw themselves into puppy training for the first few weeks, then the novelty wears off once their pup understands a few basic commands. If you feel your teenager is going backwards, go back to basics and return to daily formal training sessions (starting in a quiet, non-distracting environment before proofing in more distracting areas).
6. Keep socialising
Because pups can become more challenging as teenagers, some dog-owners become nervous about taking their dog out and about. As they move through puberty, pups can become more protective and reactive to certain people and dogs. Socialising on an ongoing basis with new dogs and people is so critical for your pup’s development and it’s essential that you keep this up, to ensure a happy, well-rounded and well-behaved dog in future. If you are nervous, keep your dog on a long-lead (even if it is dragging behind them) so that you can maintain or regain control and remove your dog from a situation if you need to.
7. Exercise and stimulation
Aim for plenty of low impact exercise and stimulation - slow paced walks with plenty of sniffing, play dates, games, trick training and food puzzles are all good options. Some dogs at this age will greatly benefit from a “job” like scent work or agility.
8. Focus on the bond
Having a strong bond with your dog, and having yourself firmly established as your dog’s trusted mentor who they look to for guidance in any situation, will stand you in really good stead for managing this period.
9. Make sure your dog is protected!
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I consider pet insurance an essential to pet ownership. Even the most well-raised dogs can get into sticky situations or be diagnosed with a health condition, and if you love your dog like family, it’s a no brainer. I personally recommend Southern Cross Pet Insurance - I have been with them for many years and can vouch for the way they handle claims. They are also NZ owned, and support both Pet Refuge and Blind Low Vision NZ - I love supporting businesses that do good in our community. I highly recommend you check out their plans at www.southerncrosspet.co.nz.
Good luck managing the teenage months - this is when your pup transitions into the adult they're going to be, so stay consistent, provide guidance but also have fun with those gorgeous, mischievous creatures!
This content was created in partnership with Southern Cross Pet Insurance, but all opinions are my own!
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