Is Your Teenaged Dog Driving You Crazy?

When they reach five to eight months of age, puppies appear lose their minds. Not to worry, it's only adolescence... which ends at some point between 18 months and 3 years of age, depending on the dog. This is the most trying period of dog ownership; the vast majority of dogs surrendered to shelters are adolescents. But with patience, determination, and guidance from a great dog trainer, your teenager doesn't need to become a statistic.

SIGNS OF ADOLESCENCE:

Distractability: At this stage in their development, puppies are interested in everything and seem to lose all ability to focus. This is a major source of frustration for dog owners; even the most obedient of pups act like they've never heard the commands their owners have worked so hard to teach them. When your puppy exhibits this symptom, the best thing to do is to go back to basics: train in short bursts in low-distraction areas. Use lots of praise and high value treats when your puppy responds appropriately.

Shyness/Fearfulness: New people and novel experiences may become frightening in even the most self-confident puppies. If this describes your puppy, continue to socialize her, but do not push her into scary situations. Allow her to explore at her own pace, giving her tons of encouragement for any sign that she is relaxed and curious. Socialization groups, closely monitored by someone knowledgeable about dog behavior, is a great way to help your puppy through this stage.

Sexual changes: In adolescence, dogs reach sexual maturity. During adolescence, males begin to hike their legs and mark EVERYTHING they can reach. This may mean going back to tethering or crating to prevent urination in the house. Unspayed females experience their first heat, which may attract males from miles around. You must be extremely vigilant to prevent your little Houdini from escaping. unwanted breedings are only part of the problem; tragic accidents may occur if your dog is unsupervised outside your home.

Willfulness: Puppies who have always walked docilely beside their owners suddenly turn into draft horses, capable of pulling many times their own weight. When your puppy hits this stage, the best thing to do is to utilize training equipment (such as the Easy Walk harness or Gentle Leader) to discourage pulling. If your puppy hasn't already learned to walk on a loose leash, this is a good time to teach that skill.

Chewing: Puppies cut their adult teeth when they are approximately four to five months old. Teething is painful and puppies chew endlessly during this time. You may notice that your furniture has become nothing more than expensive chew toys. Dogs never lose the urge to chew, so getting a handle of this problem while your dog is young will save you a lot of frustration in the long run. Puppy-proof, supervise and provide appropriate toys until your puppy learns which items are okay to chew.

Impulsiveness: Trash cans, table tops and counters are magically transformed into irresistible buffets. This requires management. Remove tempting items from surfaces and don't under-estimate her reach; some small dogs can jump onto kitchen counters with ease. Trashcans should have lids or be placed inside puppy-proofed closets or cabinets; it may be necessary to weight down the lid to keep curious puppies out. Baby gates are a great way to keep puppies out of areas where trouble beckons.

Aggression: The friendliest puppy at the dog park may turn into a raging bully. Blame it on the hormones, but it must be managed before it becomes a habit. This is another good reason to enroll your dog in a well-run socialization group or doggy daycare, where he can learn to play appropriately with other dogs.

Excitement/eagerness: The calmest of puppies suddenly turn into a combination of Tigger and the Energizer Bunny. The cure for this? Exercise, exercise, exercise. Walks in the park, obedience classes, fetch in the backyard, training games, and socializing with other dogs all fit the bill.

Adolescence is the most challenging part of your dog's development. He is going through both physical and psychological changes that will last anywhere from 1-2 years. Please don't get frustrated and give up on him. Using the tips above—coupled with an individualized training program—will help your puppy to become a wonderful companion whose company you will enjoy for years to come.