13/01/2026
Adolescence is the stage where many people are told their dog is “testing them”, “pushing boundaries”, or “seeing what they can get away with.”
Much like human adolescence, research into exactly what happens during this period is limited - particularly when it comes to behaviour. But what we do know is that adolescence is a time of enormous neurological, hormonal, and emotional change.
And for many dogs, that change comes with a noticeable drop in confidence.
This loss of confidence is often misread as defiance. Previously solid responses to familiar cues suddenly disappear, and it can feel as though your dog is hearing English for the very first time. It’s not that they’ve forgotten their training - it’s that their ability to access it is temporarily compromised.
This is especially obvious on walks. Your dog, who once seemed engaged and responsive, is now far more interested in other dogs than you - particularly if they are still intact. This isn’t a mystery. Hormones play a huge role in adolescent behaviour, driving dogs to seek out social and sexual opportunities at a time when their impulse control is at its weakest.
Unsurprisingly, this is when skills like recall often start to fall apart. Many guardians find themselves doing the familiar walk of shame to retrieve their dog who has followed a scent or made a beeline for another dog.
So you do what feels sensible - you manage the situation. You use the lead more often to prevent rehearsing unwanted behaviour. But now another adolescent challenge appears: frustration.
Tolerance for anything mildly frustrating seems to evaporate. Your dog begins barking, lunging, or vocalising - not necessarily out of aggression, but because they can’t get to what they want. The barking is often a “hey, come over here” rather than “go away.”
And now you’re stuck.
Because we’re human - and we care - many people end up doing one of two things:
They choose the devil they know and let their dog off lead again, even though they know their dog may hassle others. Not because they don’t care - but because the barking feels worse, more embarrassing, and harder to manage.
Or they avoid altogether: walking in quieter places, changing routes, limiting exposure. But when another dog does appear, the reaction is often bigger, louder, and more overwhelming - because the dog has never been supported to work through those feelings.
Neither option feels good. And neither actually helps your dog learn to cope.
So what’s the answer?
Adolescent dogs don’t need firmer boundaries - they need support. And guardians need guidance, not judgement.
My adolescent classes are designed to provide exactly that.
We work in a controlled, outdoor environment that reflects the real-world situations you struggle with most. Your dog learns how to manage big emotions around other dogs, while you learn practical handling skills, new cues, and strategies that help guide your dog toward better choices - without conflict or force.
These are outdoor classes, because that’s where adolescence shows up most clearly - and where support matters most.
If you’d like to find out whether these classes are right for your individual dog, please get in touch. I’d be more than happy to talk it through with you.
Adolescence is hard. You’re not failing, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Sometimes a little support at the right time can make a huge difference.
Let me be that support for you.
