Your Dog Is a Teenager: What Changes and What to Do

By Goody DoggyBased on AKC guidance

If your dog knew sit last month and now acts like they’ve never heard it, this guide is for you. The American Kennel Club (AKC) calls adolescence the most challenging time of raising a puppy, and also the most rewarding.

Dogs in this stage seem to forget what they were taught. AKC says that training early and continuing to train makes the stage easier to get through, and the steps below follow its advice.

What changes in the teen months

AKC says this stage is different for each dog. It may begin when your dog is about eight months old and continue until they’re two years old.

AKC also describes a defiant phase from 5 months through 18 months. Not all dogs go through it, and some go through it for only a month, while others stay in it for a long time.

• Bigger and strongerAKC lists this as one of the noticeable changes. Your dog may look more like an adult every week.
• Stubborn behaviorAKC says to expect some sort of rebellion, even if it’s small.
• A wish to exploreYour dog may want to go beyond the places where they used to feel comfortable.
• Training that seems goneAs your dog gets older and more confident, they will likely stop staying close by. It may feel like any earlier training has disappeared.

AKC says adolescence doesn’t begin and end overnight, so the changes come on slowly. Between 6 and 14 months, your dog may also go through a second fear period.

Your dog may look like an adult then, and it can be hard to remember that they are still a puppy who is emotionally developing.

Helping your teenage dog, step by step

1. Keep practicing the basics

   AKC says to keep practicing the basic skills so your dog doesn’t forget them. Run through them several times a week and reward your dog for the effort.

   Practice in more than one place. AKC says it isn’t enough if your dog only comes when you call in the living room with only the two of you there.

2. Use the same word every time

   Teach each skill clearly and stay consistent. AKC’s example is that “come” today can’t be “come here” tomorrow and “get over here” the next day.

   Some owners say a cue about five times before they get up to help. AKC says that’s not fair to your dog, so say it once and then help. Our guide on teaching your dog to come when called shows how.

3. Reward the good choices

   Use whatever your dog likes best as a reward. AKC says some dogs find food rewarding, while other dogs find toys and play more motivating.

   Reward the good choices your dog makes on their own, too. If your dog sits to ask for attention, don’t take that for granted. Reward it, and they will keep making that choice.

4. Teach self-control

   Games like “leave it” and “drop it” teach self-control, and AKC says it carries over into other parts of your dog’s life.

   Break treats into small bites that are easy to chew.

5. Go slow with freedom

   A young puppy wants to stay near you, and that gives owners a false sense of security. AKC says too much freedom too soon is a common mistake.

   Give freedom a little at a time as your dog gets bolder. For walks, see our leash pulling guide.

6. Keep the crate around

   Even when the crate isn’t needed to keep house training on track, AKC says it’s a great idea to keep it. It gives your dog a safe place to relax and helps when you need to keep a growing dog out of trouble.

   If you haven’t started, see our crate training guide.

7. Keep chew toys and brain games handy

   AKC says a second chewing phase can show up between 8 and 10 months, as the adult teeth settle in the jaw. Keep safe chew toys within easy reach and keep puppy-proofing your house.

   Mental stimulation matters most for energetic teens. AKC lists walks, games, trick training, puzzle toys, food-dispensing toys, and group classes as ways to keep your dog’s mind active.

Common teenage dog mistakes

• Giving too much freedom too soonAKC calls this a common mistake. Your dog stayed close as a young puppy, and that can give you a false sense of security.
• Practicing only at homeA dog who comes when called in the living room hasn’t learned enough. Practice in other places too.
• Forcing your dog toward something scaryAKC says this can backfire and create a bigger fear that may last. Let your dog explore at their own pace.
• Taking good choices for grantedIf your dog sits on their own to ask for attention, reward it. Rewarded choices are the ones your dog keeps making.

When training slips

AKC says trained dogs can suddenly go off the rails, and that most owners will meet these training problems at some point. A few habits can bring training back.

• Fix slow answers fastNotice when your dog answers a cue slowly and address it right away. Don’t wait until they won’t do it at all.
• Fix it on a leashAKC says it’s far better to find a slow response during a leashed training session than when your dog is in the middle of the road.
• Use index cardsPut each skill your dog knows on a card and pull a few each day as goals. Good work sets a card aside until next week, and skills that need help go back in the deck.
• Change up the gamesDoing the same commands in the same places at the same time of day can bore your dog. Look at the games you play in a session and change them up.

A second fear period can also feel like everything you taught has fallen apart. AKC says to let your dog move away from what scares them, and to reward them for looking at it or looking to you for guidance.

Let your dog control how close they get, and keep the session short and fun. AKC says it’s okay if your dog doesn’t get completely comfortable, so end on a positive note with treats and praise.

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When to get help

AKC says fear periods vary from dog to dog. Some fears may disappear within days, while others take longer to work through.

If a fear or a training problem seems bigger than this guide covers, AKC encourages you to get advice from a qualified professional. If you worry about your dog’s health, talk to your vet.

Not sure what to look for in a trainer? See what dog trainer certifications mean.

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