06/11/2025
Adolescence can be a tough time (although some dogs do sail through it, lucky ducks). It is typically a passing developmental phase. Keep on training, but you may need to take a step back, lighten it up or alter expectations for a while. The Pet Professional Guild Australia has more info at https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/Owners/Advice/Dogs/Teenage-Dogs
THEORY THURSDAY
A 2020 study provides empirical support of a sensitive period around puberty in dogs, including a passing phase of carer-specific conflict-like behaviour during adolescence (reduced trainability and responsiveness to commands).
"In most dogs, it seems that adolescent-phase disobedient behaviour exists, but does not last. Unfortunately, the welfare consequences of adolescence-phase behaviour could be lasting because this corresponds with the peak age at which dogs are relinquished to shelters. Welfare could be also be compromised if problem behaviour results in the use of punishment-based training methods or causes carers to disengage, as it does in humans. It is hoped these issues could be avoided if dog owners were made aware that (as in humans) problem behaviour during adolescence could be just a passing phase."
Read the full study https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0097
