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- Many dogs go through a "teenage" phase, often starting somewhere between 6 and 12 months.
- Research found obedience dips at around 8 months, and only towards the dog's main carer.
- It usually passes. In the study, behaviour had recovered by 12 months.
- Don't punish. Keep training short, rewarding and easy to win.
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Your puppy was doing so well. They sat, waited and came back every time. Now, at seven or eight months, they look straight through you when you call, pull like a train and seem to have forgotten everything. You haven't failed, and your dog isn't being spiteful. This is one of the most common stages in a dog's life, and there's good science on what's going on.
What the research found
In 2020, scientists from the University of Nottingham and Newcastle University published a study of a "teenage" phase in dogs. They followed 285 young guide dogs in training over their first year. At around 8 months, the dogs became less likely to respond to commands. The key detail is that this only happened with their main carer. With a stranger in a behaviour test they still behaved well, and trainers saw no change. Dogs with a less secure bond with their carer, shown by more attention-seeking and more distress when left, were the least likely to obey at this stage. By 12 months, behaviour had returned to earlier levels or improved. The researchers called it "a passing phase." They also pointed out that this is the peak age for dogs to be given up to rescue centres. So knowing it will pass really matters.
When does adolescence start and end?
It varies by dog and breed. UK charities give slightly different ranges:
- The RSPCA says it can start "any time between six and 12 months and can end between 18 and 24 months."
- Blue Cross says many puppies become teenagers at around five to six months, finishing between 18 months and two years.
- PDSA notes that larger breeds often mature more slowly, and that most dogs aren't fully socially mature until around three.
What you might see
- not coming back when called, especially when other dogs are around
- pulling on the lead
- jumping up, mouthing or grabbing the lead
- more barking
- chewing, as adult teeth settle
- humping, marking or roaming
- being wary of things they used to ignore
- guarding toys or space
- less interest in playing with other dogs, or more
The RSPCA says owners often read this as stubbornness. "Instead, it's their dog finding it difficult to control their impulses." Young dogs are still developing self-control, which is why they can seem to forget everything.
Why some teenage dogs become scared
Blue Cross describes another fear period during adolescence, usually temporary, when a confident dog can suddenly become wary of things they used to accept. A new worry about bins, strangers or other dogs at this age is common. Go gently. Let your dog watch from a distance. Pair the scary thing with food. Don't drag them closer. If the fear is strong, getting worse, or turning into barking and lunging, get help early. You can read my guide to the reactive dog on walks.
What helps
Keep training short and easy to win
Two or three minutes, a few times a day. Go back to easier steps your dog can get right, and reward them well. Success keeps your dog interested in you.
Make recall safe
Use a long line on walks so your dog can explore while you stay in control. Blue Cross suggests a long line on a harness if your dog keeps ignoring recall. Practise in quiet places first, then slowly add distractions.
Be more interesting than other dogs
Play with your dog on walks. Bring a toy they love. Don't let every walk turn into a run to greet other dogs. That habit gets harder to break the more it's practised.
Give them things to do
Scent games, food puzzles, chews and short training games give a teenage brain a proper workout. Blue Cross advises against over-exercising a growing dog to wear them out.
Build the bond
The research linked a less secure bond with more problems at this age. So keep things calm and predictable. Give attention when your dog is calm, as well as when they're being silly.
Avoid big stresses if you can
Blue Cross suggests avoiding stressful events such as a stay away from home or a busy show during adolescence where possible.
Don't punish
It's tempting when you're frustrated. But PDSA and the RSPCA both warn that scolding or physical methods can increase fear and make behaviour worse. Blue Cross says, "Training techniques that cause pain or fear are counterproductive." Research backs this up. A 2020 study found dogs trained with harsh methods showed more stress and were more pessimistic.
Don't take it personally
The dip in the study was towards the main carer only. It doesn't mean you've done something wrong, and it doesn't mean your dog will always be like this.
Don't expect neutering to fix it
Ask your vet about neutering and its timing for your dog. PDSA says it "may help with some of these problems" but isn't a cure-all. Blue Cross says not to expect it to calm a dog unless the behaviour is driven by sexual drive.
Don't give up
This is the age when lots of dogs are given up. In the study, the dip in obedience had passed by 12 months, so patience now is well spent.
Most teenage wobbles are normal. Get help if your dog:
- growls, snaps or bites
- barks and lunges at dogs or people on walks
- guards food, toys or places
- panics when left alone
- is frightened, and it's getting worse
- has changed suddenly, or seems stiff or sore (see your vet first)
PDSA says, "Many behaviour problems get worse over time so getting help early is key."
For everyday manners, like recall, lead walking and jumping up, a good class is a great place to start. I run Essex Dog Trainer for puppy and obedience training. If your teenager is frightened, reactive, guarding or aggressive, that's behaviour work. A 1-2-1 behaviour session lasts 1.5 hours and costs £160 at our Chelmsford field, or £190 at your home, and follow-up training sessions are £100 an hour at the training field, £120 an hour at home, at home or out on walks. See all prices. I've worked with more than 10,000 dogs in over 15 years, and plenty of them were teenagers. One owner, Zara H., wrote that "Alex did wonders for the confidence and obedience of my nervous adolescent dog."
Questions owners ask
At what age do dogs become teenagers?
Often somewhere between 6 and 12 months, though some start as early as five months. It varies by breed and individual.
When does dog adolescence end?
Usually between 18 months and two years, and larger breeds can take longer. In one study, the dip in obedience had recovered by 12 months.
Why does my dog listen to other people but not me?
Research found the dip in obedience at about 8 months happened only towards the dog's main carer. Other people saw no change. It passes, so keep training calm and consistent.
Will neutering calm my teenage dog?
It may help with some behaviours, but it isn't a cure-all. Talk to your vet about whether and when to neuter your dog.
Why has my teenage dog suddenly become scared?
Many dogs go through another fear period during adolescence. Go gently and pair new things with food. If it's strong or getting worse, or your dog seems sore, see your vet and get help early.
Is it too late to train my adolescent dog?
No. Teenage dogs learn well with short, rewarding sessions. Go back to easier steps and build up again.
Google review
“For the past month I have been looking for a professional dog trainer to help me, help my GSP. Alex is without a doubt a professional! The fact he spends so much time and dedication with his own dogs speaks volumes. …”
Read the full review
“For the past month I have been looking for a professional dog trainer to help me, help my GSP. Alex is without a doubt a professional! The fact he spends so much time and dedication with his own dogs speaks volumes. I'm often anxious about taking my dog on a walk as he is not consistent with his recall, especially with so many dogs offlead. However, with my new gained knowledge from Alex I feel in control on walks and have noticed my GSP is calmer in our home from being mentally stimulated. Thank you for all your help.”
Sources
- Asher L., England G. C. W., 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 16:20200097 (Newcastle University summary)
- University of Nottingham, teenage dogs press release
- RSPCA, Managing your adolescent puppy
- Blue Cross, Adolescence in dogs
- PDSA, Adolescent (teenage) dogs
- PDSA, Dealing with dog adolescence and pups post lockdown
- Vieira de Castro A. C. et al. (2020), "Does training method matter?", PLoS ONE (UFAW summary)
- Duranton C., Horowitz A. (2019), "Let me sniff! Nosework induces positive judgment bias in pet dogs", Applied Animal Behaviour Science 211:61
- Mills D. S. et al. (2020), "Pain and problem behavior in cats and dogs", Animals 10(2):318
- Reviews: Essex Dog Trainer, Google reviews via Trustindex (Zara H.)
Related
- 1-2-1 training & behaviour help
- Choosing the Right Dog: What I Told BBC Essex
- Dog behaviourist or dog trainer?
Last updated . This post is general advice, not a diagnosis. If your dog may be unwell or in pain, please see your vet.