puberty in your dog

NO LAUGHING MATTER

As your puppy grows up and hits puberty, expect a bunch of changes in how they act and develop. It's a bit like dealing with a human teenager, and it can be a tricky time for both of you.

Here's what you can generally expect:

Behavioral Changes

1. Emotionality and Impulsivity | Just like human teenagers, your dog might become more emotional, act on impulse, and develop their own opinions.

2. Conflict-like Behaviors | Studies indicate that adolescent dogs might go through a phase of acting out specifically towards their owners, becoming less trainable and responsive to commands. This is similar to how human teenagers can become more confrontational with their parents. These behaviors can be even more noticeable if the dog doesn't feel as secure, much like how human kids who have less secure attachments might act out more.

3. Continued Social Development | Even though puppyhood is super important for getting your dog used to the world, the teenage phase means you still need to keep introducing them to new things, people, and experiences. This keeps them well-behaved as adults and helps avoid behavior problems.

Timing and Duration

1. Puberty |Male dogs usually hit puberty between 6 and 9 months, while females tend to reach it between 6 and 16 months.

2. Behavioral and Social Maturity | Even though dogs become sexually mature earlier, it can take them longer, often until they're between 18, 24 to 36 months old, to fully mature behaviorally and socially. Breed can also play a role in how long this takes.

3. Adolescent Period | Dogs are generally considered adolescents from about 6 months to 2 years old, a period marked by significant shifts in their thinking and behavior.

UNDERLYING FACTORS AND OWNER IMPACT

• Neurological and Hormonal Changes | These behavioral shifts are driven by considerable neurological reorganization and hormonal fluctuations that occur during adolescence. Both dog and human adolescence involve considerable neurological reorganization. In humans, adolescence can begin around age 10 and extend into the mid-20s, indicating a complex and prolonged developmental stage that also occurs in dogs upwards of 3 years of age..

• Challenges for Owners | Many owners find this period similar to living with a moody teen! The behavioral shifts can sometimes strain the bond between dog and owner, and this age range sadly sees a peak in dogs being surrendered..

• Importance of Continued Socialization | It's super important to keep showing your dog new stuff and stick with training as they grow into adulthood, helping them get through this tricky phase and become a great adult dog.

• Understanding these changes can help you better support your adolescent puppy through this important developmental phase.

Here are some simple examples of what your puppy might do:

• Ignoring commands they previously knew | It's pretty common for your dog to act like they've suddenly forgotten commands like "sit" or "stay" that they used to know perfectly. This seeming stubbornness is a typical part of the "caregiver-specific conflict-like behavior" phase they're going through.

• Being more emotional and impulsive |Your puppy might get more emotional, act without thinking, or generally seem more "opinionated." Their ability to control their emotions and behavior might be weaker, making them more impulsive.

• Testing limits or engaging in undesirable behaviors | Because they're more impulsive and less obedient, your puppy might be more likely to get on the furniture when they shouldn't or chew things they're not supposed to. People often call these naughty behaviors in younger dogs "mischievous".

• Increased focus on other dogs | Your teenage dog might also pay more attention to other dogs and their interactions with them.

• Taking more risks | They might be more likely to do things that involve a bit of risk.

• Showing "sassy" or challenging demeanor | Lots of owners find that having a dog going through puberty is a lot like dealing with a moody teen, especially because of their challenging behaviors.

• Exhibiting increased separation-related issues | Some adolescent dogs might start having more trouble being left alone, and will increase in anxiety during separation or when you leave the house.

HOW TO HELP YOUR PUPPY THROUGH PUBERTY

To help your puppy get through puberty and the awkward teenage phase, you'll need to be understanding, patient, and consistent. It's a lot like dealing with human teens because of the big brain and hormone changes that can make them act out.

Here are some strategies and approaches to support your adolescent puppy:

1. Maintain Consistent Training and Boundaries

• You might notice your dog not listening as much to commands they used to know, kind of like they're pushing back a bit.

• Keep practicing basic commands. Even if your pup acts like they've forgotten them, keeping up with reinforcement is the key.

• Using positive reinforcement training is a great way to encourage good behavior while keeping your relationship with your dog positive. Training early on has been proven to lower the chances of them developing issues like aggression, compulsive behaviors, destructive habits, or excessive barking as adults.

• Be clear and consistent with rules and boundaries. This helps your puppy know what's expected, even when they're feeling impulsive.

2. Continue Socialization

Even though getting your puppy used to everything early on is super important, you've got to keep exposing them to new, fun stuff, people, and places as they grow into a teen and then an adult. This helps them become a well-behaved adult dog. Check out CCBA's tips on socialization.

3. Understand and Anticipate Behavioral Changes

It's totally normal for your puppy to get more emotional, act on impulse, and have strong opinions during this stage of their life.

Patience is Key | Your dog's temporary struggle with controlling their emotions and reacting to things is just a normal part of growing up. Being patient and understanding can save both of you a lot of frustration.

Identify Triggers | Keep an eye on what situations or things tend to set off unwanted behaviors and try to manage or change those situations if you can.

4. Strengthen Your Bond

The dog-owner relationship can get a bit rocky during adolescence. It's important to actively work on keeping your bond strong with fun stuff, games, and continued training. Dogs who don't feel super secure might act out more with what seem like conflicts.

5. Address Specific Problem Behaviors

If you notice your puppy getting into more trouble with things like being anxious when left alone, barking too much, or chewing up stuff, tackle these issues one by one. Remember that this is a normal part of their growing up, which can help you figure out how to deal with it.

6. Seek Professional Guidance if Needed

If you're finding it tough to handle your puppy's teenage antics, don't sweat it! Reach out to a professional dog trainer or a vet behaviorist. They can offer personalized advice and support, kind of like the help available for puppy raisers in studies.

By understanding the nature of canine adolescence and consistently applying these strategies, you can help your puppy navigate this challenging period and grow into a well-behaved adult dog.

ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR PUP DURING PUBERTY

Drawing from the strategies discussed, here are some activities you can do:

1. Continue Consistent Training and Brain Games

Even if your puppy seems to "forget" commands, consistency is key.

• Training - Keep up with regular training, even if they seem to ignore you. Short, frequent sessions using rewards and praise are great for reinforcing commands and teaching new things, and they help your dog stay trainable even when they're being a bit stubborn.

• Puzzle Toys and Enrichment | Use food puzzles, KONGs, and other enrichment toys to engage your puppy's mind and provide mental stimulation. This can help channel their increased energy and impulsiveness in a constructive way.

• "Real-Life" Training | Practice commands in various environments with different distractions. This helps your puppy generalize their learning and improves their responsiveness in challenging situations.

• Agility or Scent Work | Consider engaging in dog sports like agility, obedience, or scent work. These activities provide both physical and mental exercise, building confidence and teamwork.

2. Prioritize Continued Socialization and Positive Experiences

While early puppyhood is crucial, ongoing positive exposure is vital during adolescence.

• Varied Environments | Take your puppy to new, safe places – different parks, pet-friendly stores, quiet hiking trails. Ensure these experiences are positive and not overwhelming.

• Controlled Social Interactions | Arrange supervised playdates with calm, well-socialized adult dogs or other puppies of similar play styles. Quality over quantity is important here.

• Exposure to Sounds and Sights | Continue to expose your puppy to different sounds (e.g., traffic, children playing, household noises) and sights in a controlled, positive manner.

3. Engage in Bond-Building Activities

Keep building that bond with your dog, as it's really important during this tricky time.

• Play | Engage in interactive play that your puppy enjoys, such as fetch, tug-of-war (with clear rules), or hide-and-seek. Play helps reduce stress, improves cooperation, and strengthens your connection.

• Affection and Attention | Provide plenty of positive attention, petting, and praise when your puppy is calm and behaving well.

• "Decompression Walks" | Allow your puppy to sniff and explore on a long leash in a safe, natural environment without strict commands. This can be very mentally enriching and stress-reducing.

4. Manage Environment and Prevent Undesirable Behaviors

• Puppy-Proofing | Keep making sure your home is safe by blocking off areas or keeping things out of reach that your pup might chew or get into. Teen pups can be naughty and test boundaries.

• Structured Routine | A consistent daily routine for feeding, walks, potty breaks, and training can provide a sense of security and predictability, which is helpful during a time of developmental flux.

By integrating these activities into your daily routine, you can provide the structure, stimulation, and positive reinforcement your adolescent puppy needs to navigate this period successfully and develop into a well-adjusted adult.

References

Asher, L., England, G., Sommerville, R., & Harvey, N. D. (2020). Teenage dogs? Evidence for adolescent-phase conflict behaviour and an association between attachment to humans and pubertal timing in the domestic dog. Biology Letters, 16(5), 20200097. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0097

Battaglia, C. L. (2009). Periods of Early Development and the Effects of Stimulation and Social Experiences in the Canine. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 4(5), 203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2009.03.003

Dinwoodie, I. R., Zottola, V., & Dodman, N. H. (2021). An Investigation into the Impact of Pre-Adolescent Training on Canine Behavior. Animals, 11(5), 1298. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051298

Eder, D., & Nenga, S. K. (2006). Socialization in Adolescence. In Springer eBooks (p. 157). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-36921-x_7

Harvey, N. D. (2021). How Old Is My Dog? Identification of Rational Age Groupings in Pet Dogs Based Upon Normative Age-Linked Processes. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.643085

Howell, T. J., King, T., & Bennett, P. C. (2015). Puppy parties and beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior [Review of Puppy parties and beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior]. Veterinary Medicine Research and Reports, 143. Dove Medical Press. https://doi.org/10.2147/vmrr.s62081

L., D., Howell, T. J., Benton, P., & Bennett, P. C. (2023). Application of an Adapted Behaviour Change Wheel to Assistance Dog Puppy Raising: A Proposed Raiser-Centred Support Program. Animals, 13(2), 307. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020307

Owczarczak‐Garstecka, S. C., Costa, R., Harvey, N. D., Giragosian, K., Kinsman, R., Casey, R. A., Tasker, S., & Murray, J. (2022). “It’s Like Living with a Sassy Teenager!”: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Dog Owners’ Perceptions and Experiences of Dog Behaviour between the Ages of 12 Weeks and 2 Years. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4142071

Owczarczak‐Garstecka, S. C., Costa, R., Harvey, N. D., Giragosian, K., Kinsman, R., Casey, R. A., Tasker, S., & Murray, J. (2023). “It’s Like Living with a Sassy Teenager!”: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Owners’ Comments about Dogs between the Ages of 12 Weeks and 2 Years. Animals, 13(11), 1863. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111863

Stolzlechner, L., Bonorand, A., & Riemer, S. (2022). Optimising Puppy Socialisation–Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Training Programme during the Early Socialisation Period. Animals, 12(22), 3067. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12223067

Stroppy teen? Study finds puberty affects dogs’ behaviour. (2020). Veterinary Record, 186(17), 553. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.m2132

Vaterlaws-Whiteside, H., & Hartmann, A. (2017). Improving puppy behavior using a new standardized socialization program. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 197, 55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2017.08.003