Puppy adolescence is a real thing, and it is hitting Olivia right now. The perfect, Velcro dog puppy does have naughtiness in her after all! With Olivia it started at about seven and a half months. Puppy adolescence normally begins between six and eights months of age, and will last until your pup is two or three years old. Don’t worry, it is manageable using our five tips!
What are some signs that your precious little one is becoming a teenager? She may become defiant, forgetting much of the obedience you know she has learned. Boundaries will be tested. The Velcro dog won’t stick to you anymore. Pups become sassy, and pretty much exhibit behaviors similar to human teenagers. Olivia kicked off adolescence by becoming a thief and stealing anything of Mom’s that was not locked down.
Tip 1 – Create A Deeper Bond
Hopefully you have been bonding with your puppy since you got her. Now is the time to step up the bonding, but also to use patience. Your pup my be trying to pull away, but you need to find things you can do together, and both enjoy to build a stronger bond. Olivia has been working on sports with Mom since she was nine weeks old. They are a team, and team members have a special bond. Team Orange will continue working on sports together to strengthen their bond. Hiking or games can also be a way to bond with your puppy. (Photo purchased from Tracy Pollard Photography)
Tip 2 – Make Sure To Continue Socializing
By the time your puppy hits adolescence, she should be used to meeting new dogs and people, as well as going to new places. Now is not the time to stop socializing her. Early adolescence has another fear period you need to work through, and it is also important to keep introducing new things to your pup. Don’t stop because your puppy appears fearful. Continue training and socializing, but be patient, calming, and help her through any fears she may show.
Tip 3 – Work On Training With Your Puppy
While your puppy may seem to have forgotten everything she learned up to now, it is important to keep on teaching her. One day she may be perfectly obedient, and the next not. It is all a phase, and keeping puppies learning is key. Work on short sessions such as during commercial breaks while watching TV. Do a few sits, downs, heal, or whatever works at the moment.
Tip 4 – Provide Mental And Physical Exercise
Both mental and physical exercise are super important. During puppy adolescence, you will notice your pup likes to go on walks more than she used to, and she is starting to be interested in the sights and sounds on walks. Remember not to walk your puppy too far until they are at least a year old, but even shorter walks are more stimulating now that your puppy’s brain is also engaged in the process. Mental exercise can take the form of short obedience or sports training practice sessions. Fun is the key, so keep things short and more often, rather than long sessions which are not fun for puppies.
Tip 5 – Give Your Puppy Plenty Of Chewing Options
Chewing? Why, my puppy has all her teeth now? This is true, but between eight and ten months of age, the new teeth are really settling into the jaw. This phase is similar to teething, and will make your puppy want to chew. Make sure she has appropriate chew items for her current age and size on hand.
Dealing with puppy adolescence isn’t all that hard if you are willing to put forth a bit of effort. Cut back on some of the freedoms, make rules and stick to them. Before you know it, your precious puppy will be a dog, and you will miss the puppy antics!
We are happy, so we’re joining Comedy Plus for Happy Tuesday!
Any tips for old ladies.
Are they cranky old ladies? Just love them up and give them lots of treats.
These fur babies are like hoomans who need constant care, protection and plenty of affection
Oh, Olivia you are growing up way too fast!
She is growing up really fast, but there is plenty of puppy that leaks out often.
YES! My brother is definitely a teenager right now! He doesn’t listen to mom, he likes to do naughty things in the house (stealing mom’s socks!) and he even tried to get something off the counter at our cousins house!! Holy cow mom was embarrassed! Great tips. Mom just said to me this morning, “thinking I should re instate our training time after the walk” I like that time because mom gives me some treats too! just for sitting and waiting! Hooray. Great post! Good luck with your baby sister. Wish me luck with my baby brother! have a good day, your friend Lilly
Olivia is really into stealing and counter surfing. When we went to Sioux Falls, Mom almost didn’t have clean underwear because Olivia stole it out of the suitcase without Mom knowing. Luckily, she saw it in the foyer and realized she better check the suitcase! Reinstating your training time sounds like a perfect idea. Moms have to be strict and not let rules slide or those youngens will take full advantage.
fortunately this time is not too long, it was horrible with the first and more horrible with the second one LOL
It can last up to two years, but none of us have been too bad. Thievery is usually the worst of our hobbies.
Yes, that puppy fun does disappear way too quickly!
It does not last long enough, but I guess it is the same with kittens.
I think Puffin is a teenager! Thanks for the tips, but she sure does love to chew on ME! XOXO, Sparkle
Olivia is always chewing on us, but she also loves her chew items too right now.
There are so many things to know and prepare for. Looks like you’ve got it covered.
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Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. Scritches to all the pups. ♥
Mom has had three puppies in the past six years, so she has a lot of puppy stuff fresh in her mind. It’s all fun and a part of learning to live with each other.
Thank you for the much needed reminders! Elbe just turned 4 years old. He doesn’t chew on cords anymore, but counter surfing and tearing things up are STILL pretty much his go to if I do not get him enough exercise on a daily basis.
Oh dear. Even Bailie has almost completely given up on shredding stuff.
You will get through this, Olivia, and be the bestest puppy ever! Acceptable and safe stuffs to chew on helps a whole lot!
We think she has what she needs to survive without being too naughty.
What great tips! Rosy is still in the rebel, sassy stage so we totally understand!
xoxo,
Rosy, Jakey & Arty
Well, we girls will always be a bit sassy, right?
Merlin is 6 and still acts like a teenager sometimes. He is also a thief and shows a bit of defiance now and then. Then there’s the selective hearing lol.
Selective hearing is something most of us dogs suffer from for our entire lives, LOL!
Now i am wondering if that’s what’s up with Jezzie. Thanks for the suggestions!
Could very well be. A perfect pup suddenly going off the rails is a sure sign.
Great tips for making it through puppy’s adolescent stage! They are precious little terrors at times!
They sure can be, but most of us have been pretty good. Bailie was the only seriously naughty puppy that Mom has had.
Great tips! Slammer can be naughty too, we need to follow your great tips.
Yeah, the teenager thing really comes out sometimes.
It’s been a while since we went through this, and might be a while before we do again, but we will definitely bookmark this advice for that day!
It’s an interesting time, we never know what we should expect.
Great tips!
Thanks for the info.