11 Adolescent Dog Behaviors That Might Surprise You

Most owners know what happens to human behavior during adolescence, but did you know that dogs can also experience a shift?

This can come as a bit of a shock to some new pet parents, especially if their puppy was excelling in training classes and now their listening ears are firmly turned off!

So, we’ve decided to put this guide together so that you know the most common behaviors you can expect from adolescent dogs, plus some handy hints to help deal with them.

When Does Adolescence Begin For Dogs?

Adolescence is the period when sex hormones play a big role. It is the time when your pet matures from a young juvenile into an adult dog. The time at which this happens varies between individuals and is strongly affected by body size and breed in canines. 

Some small breeds start going through puberty around 5 months of age, whereas many giant breeds don’t fully mature until nearly 2 years.

What Happens During Adolescence?

During this time hormones rise, playing an important part in your dog’s physical development. Your dog will increase in continue to increase in size and will start being able to reproduce.

For females, this means that they will begin to have seasons and ovulate, known as coming ‘on heat’, and males will produce sperm.

As well as physical changes, this is also an important time for emotional development. Remodeling of the brain occurs during puberty, with memory and learning receptors becoming most affected by these changes.

The exact time your dog will be affected also varies and could be anywhere between three and twelve months.

Once we understand this, it becomes easier to understand that it is natural for our dog’s behavior to change as their adult brain emerges.  

However, this can be a challenging time for many families and sadly some pet parents feel unable to cope. This can lead to dogs being given up for adoption at a really crucial developmental time.

Forewarned is forearmed though, so read on to see what behaviors you can expect to see in your adolescent dog.

Adolescent dogs start to seem much more interested in their surroundings than their owner during this time. They become more curious about the world and owners can struggle to get their pets to focus, especially while out walking.

This can lead to issues like running away, which may be due to the desire to explore, or it could be sexually driven roaming behavior associated with finding a potential mate.

A common complaint from many owners is that their dog is simply ‘not listening’ to them anymore. They may start ignoring training cues that you thought they knew, as well as struggling to pick up new commands.

Training sessions may be more of a chore, and you might feel like you aren’t making any progress. It can be even more frustrating when your dog listens to the commands of others, but not to you!

At the same time that your dog is becoming more distracted and less reliable in their training, their energy levels are also increasing. This means that your pet needs more exercise and play opportunities.

This can be a challenge to meet if you don’t feel safe enough to let them off the leash (for fear that they won’t come back when called!). Dogs that are not getting enough physical exercise may start to become more destructive in the house.

Those pesky hormones mean that your dog has a new thing on their mind – the opposite sex! Male dogs may start to become more interested in females on heat, which can be a distraction during training and lead to escape attempts.

You may notice more sniffing and scent marking too. Female dogs will begin cycling and have their first season, also known as being ‘in heat’. This can attract unwanted attention.

Some dogs will actually start to become more anxious and socially awkward during this time. Dogs have a second ‘fear period’ around 6-18 months of age, making them more reactive or scared of new experiences, animals, and people.

This is a protective mechanism designed for survival as an adult, with a bad experience having a real lasting impact during this time.

Your dog might do some daft things around this time such as jumping over your garden fence, running off on a walk, and chasing after livestock.

This can be part of their continued exploration of the world and the way it works, as well as an increased desire to find a mate.

Dogs can become more pushy or confrontational, including with other dogs. In fact, manners might go out the window!

But don’t worry, this is common at this age. Your dog is testing and learning about what is socially acceptable. You might find this really trying on your patience too. It’s important to remember, that with time, this will often pass.

Dogs start to require less sleep around this time, so their routine may shift. This can lead to fewer daytime naps and your dog being more active for a greater proportion of the day.

This can mean more time for getting into mischief! You may not be accustomed to seeing your dog be more lively, so it’s important to be patient during this time.

Mood changes can be very variable between dogs. Some will become more clingy and needy around adolescence, whereas some will become more reactive.

This means that they are quicker to bark or growl at things that didn’t worry them so much previously. They can be more intensely excitable as well.

Some dogs become ‘over-the-top’ as they mature. They might become excited more easily and get carried away with things like mouthing, jumping up, or barking.

Their over-enthusiasm can be undesirable, especially in families with young children. Dogs may become uncomfortable around children, or children may become frightened by their bigger, bouncier dog.

It can sometimes feel like a struggle to keep your adolescent dog’s attention. A dog’s excellent sense of smell can be partly to blame.

With an increased interest in scent markers (pheromones) left by other canines. Your dog may be more interested in these than you during their exercise and training.

What Can I Do to Improve Things?

While it is easier said than done, patience will be key during this period. With consistent training and positive experiences, your dog will come out the other side as a well-rounded adult. You can help to ensure this by:

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