21/09/2025
Great info on adolescent dogs
We have alot of people reach out and ask us for advice around their young dog suddenly becoming what they feel is naughty 😔 And as much as our team are fantastic at what we do - we aren't behaviourists and therefore we can't advise and will always say to seek that kind of support 🐾🐕 However, what we do know is almost every dog experiences some behaviour changes during adolescence! So, we wanted to touch on that!
🐕🦺 Dog Adolescence -What’s Going On in That Fluffy Head?
Think of dog adolescence as your little pup hitting their “teenage phase” — full of curiosity, cheekiness, and a bit of chaos 🤭 It usually kicks in at around 6 months and can last up to 2 years, depending on the breed 🐶 And for some pooches its a breeze and others its an extremely tough time. You may find that your once sweet puppy may suddenly start ignoring you, chewing things they shouldn’t or haven't previously, or acting like they’ve never heard the word “sit” before! Feeling like you're going backwards! This is completely normal, and you are not alone! 🥰 They’re growing up! And in all honesty will need your guidance and patience the most during adolescence! 💙💛
🧠 Mental Stimulation - This can be such a valuable thing to help you navigate adolescence. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. It helps burn off energy, can allow your pooch a way to channel a behaviour that you may feel is naughty but is actually completely natural to them during adolescence, and it also builds confidence.
Here' s some fun, easy ways to keep their brain buzzing ... you guys know just how much we LOVE our enrichment! 😁
Interactive Toys & Puzzles... 🧩
• Kongs stuffed with peanut butter or wet food (freeze them for extra challenge) 🧊
• Snuffle mats for sniffing out treats 👃
• Treat-dispensing toys that roll or move around and reward cleverness 🤓
Scent Games...🔍
• Hide treats around the house or garden and let them sniff them out or hide their favourite toys and play “find it” to find everything! One thing we love here at the centre is ACE free work - pop it into google and have a look it's so simple but effective! 🫶
• Use scent! Bring in calming scents on fabrics and place them around the home for your pooch to find and enjoy!
Training Games 🧩
• Teach new tricks like “spin,” “touch,” - there's so many fun tricks to learn!
• Practice old commands in new places like out on walks, at the dog friendly cafe, at the beach - where possible reinforce those commands you use at home out and about! 🫶
• Try new training adventures like clicker training as a new thing to learn and enjoy for your teen pooch! 🫶
• Encourage your dog when on walks to not just "walk" encourage them to SNIFF! Spice it up! Have some walks for the pysical exercise your individual pooch needs but on other walks take it slow and encourage them into bushes! 🌳 Have them on a longline free walking in the fields - going where they want to go! Pop some treats up on a tree stump and encourage your pooch to explore height aswel and what's on the ground! 🌳 Get them looking in puddles or random boxes you encounter! 📦 It all helps!
🐾 Support their need to do things too.
If your pooch wants to dig - take them to a doggy area and let them dig, or make an area in the garden for digging. If they are ripping and destroying things - give them things to rip - like home made cardboard destruction boxes with treats and goodies inside! If you find they have begun chewing get them safe hard-wearing chews to chew on with supervision, like nylabones, benebones or coffee wood! 🐶
💡 Tips for Surviving the Teenage Tornado
• Stay calm and consistent – they’re not being “bad,” they’re just learning - this is their first time at life too!
• Keep specific training sessions short and sweet – 5–10 minutes is perfect then build when you are both ready 💙💛
• Reward the good stuff – praise and treats go a long way, always be positive in training!
• Let them make choices – offering options builds confidence.
• Be patient – this phase will pass!
🐶 As they come out of the other side and they’re maturing you’ll start to notice:
• Better focus and listening 🤓
• Less impulsive behavior❌️
• More chill moments (finally!)🥰
• A stronger bond between you and your dog 💛
It can feel so lonely and frustrating at these times in your dogs life - we've felt it! When the lead becomes a shiny new toy to wrestle off you or when you're being used as a platform to bounce off out of nowhere! Or you feel you have become a punching bag for your dog... it's tough 😔 So ensure if you're becoming overwhelmed you seek support from a certified behaviourist or trainer - sometimes a fresh pair of eyes on a situation can help too- and that's exactly what they are there for, to help you and your pooch. 🫶
In rescue at the moment there are so many pooches that just needed this kind of support and didn't get it - so we wanted to shine a light on this stage of a dogs life, to prevent more pooches being misunderstood, more owners becoming overwhelmed and heartbreakingly more dogs ending up in rescue 💙💛
Our Princess M here is around 2 now and has had some tough times through her adolescence- which has only been harder for her as she's in rescue - but we wouldn't change her for the world! 💙💛
https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/sheffield-branch/findapet/details/PRINCESS/BSA2130328/rehome
