Anyone who has parented a teenager—in fact, anyone who remembers being a teen, has witnessed firsthand the extreme appetite, the extreme sleep needs, the extreme sense of rebellion, the extreme hormonal surges, the extreme…well, the very extreme nature of the entire process.
Dogs go through adolescence, too, but it is a much quicker process. Unfortunately, however, many pet owners don’t understand that dogs go through, and then grow out of, adolescence. Many thousands of dogs are relinquished at animal shelters during their adolescence because pet owners can’t handle the behavior and believe it is permanent.
Adolescence in dogs can kick in anywhere from the middle of the first year of life to the end of that first year. Some dogs become quite mature at 1 year, others take two or three years to settle into their adult state of mind and fully grown body.
Adolescent dogs have more energy than they will have when they reach mature adulthood. They may be more rebellious, sillier, and ganglier. They will probably challenge your authority now and then, breaking the rules they already know. I once had an adolescent Miniature Pinscher who, after I had been on the phone and ignoring him for what he thought was too long, climbed up on the back of the couch, looked me right in the eye, and urinated. "I’ll teach you to ignore me," he seemed to be saying. "So there!"
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Adolescent dogs also may begin behaviors that make humans distinctly uncomfortable, such as lifting their legs on furniture and getting, shall we say, amorous with available human limbs. These sexual behaviors are more common in males and neutering can help but may not completely resolve this behavior. Females who aren’t yet spayed will also begin the menstrual cycle, which can be messy. Of course, spaying or neutering your pet before adolescence can prevent some of these problems.
Adolescent dogs are nearly full-grown in size, but still puppies in their hearts. They may seem unmanageably hyperactive, impossibly disobedient. They don’t have full control over their gangly bodies or physical urges. Sound familiar?
The good news is twofold. First, this too, shall pass. By the age of 2, or in some dogs that are slower to mature, by the age of 3, your pet should settle down considerably, behaving much less like a super-kinetic rocket-powered dog from hell, and a lot more like the relaxed and happily lounging dog you had hoped would share the couch with you while you watch your must-see TV.
Second, even during adolescence, you don’t have to give up and accept bad behavior. This is a time of intense energy, but also of intense learning. Lots of vigorous, fun, play-oriented training sessions, perhaps a class in advanced obedience or agility or flyball or some other fun dog sport, and fastidiously consistent house rules are crucial to make adolescence bearable for all. If nothing else, make sure your active adolescent pet gets lots and lots of exercise. A couple of long, brisk walks each day should make a big difference in bad behavior. You know what they say—a tired dog is a good dog. As for housetraining mishaps and other lapses in behavior, you can always revert to rudimentary training you would use on a puppy, if your adolescent dog is acting like a puppy. Be kind, be firm, and don’t take no for an answer. Avoid letting your dog get in situations where he can misbehave, but if it happens, quickly remove him from the situation, take him outside where he is supposed to relieve himself, give him a time-out in his crate if he is being disruptive, and generally refuse to let your dog get away with things. He is testing you. It’s up to you to pass the test.
Don’t be Cruel
While dogs, especially adolescent dogs, require assertive handling and consistent enforcement of rules, they do not require corporal punishment. Hitting, slapping, or kicking a dog is never necessary. There is always a better way. No matter how frustrated your dog makes you, please preserve your relationship with your pet and avoid striking him or her.
Excerpted from Your Outta Control Adopted Dog by Eve Adamson, published by TFH Publications. Used with permission.
