by Courtney Goblirsch
Adolescence is a crucial stage in your dog’s development, typically starting around 6 months of age and lasting until 12-14 months, depending on the breed. During this time, dogs begin testing boundaries, gaining independence, and needing extra guidance to become the well-adjusted, well-trained adult dog you envision. Incorporating daily training and engagement activities can help shape their behavior, build confidence, and strengthen your bond.
Here are six key areas to focus on:
1. Impulse Control
Teaching your dog to pause and think before acting prevents impulsive behaviors like jumping, lunging, or grabbing food. Simple exercises such as “Wait” before meals, “Leave It” with treats, or practicing a calm “Sit” before going through doors can reinforce self-control. Consistency is key—reward patience and calm choices!
2. Confidence Building
New experiences can be overwhelming for adolescent dogs, so boosting their confidence is essential. Introduce them to different surfaces, sounds, and objects in a positive way. Low-pressure activities like walking over a wobble board, exploring new environments, or playing structured games help them develop resilience, adaptability, and reduce anxiety.
3. Structured Walks
Instead of just letting your dog pull ahead, use walks as a training opportunity. Change direction frequently and unpredictable to encourage attentiveness, incorporate obedience cues like “Sit” or “Heel,” and mix in short training breaks. Mark and reward spontaneous check-ins until they become regular. Structured walks provide both physical exercise and mental engagement, reinforcing good leash manners and focus.
4. Sniffing & Nose Games
Dogs experience the world through scent, and allowing them to use their noses is a great way to provide enrichment especially for an adolescent dog with lots of energy! Scatter feeding, hiding treats for them to find, or playing scent-detection games (like finding a hidden toy) can be excellent mental workouts that also reduce stress and frustration.
5. Trick Training (Spin, Leg Weaves, etc.)
Teaching fun tricks not only strengthens your bond but also enhances coordination and focus. Simple tricks like “Turn (Lesson 5.3),” “Sit Pretty (Lesson 5.6), or “High Five (Lesson 5.2)” keep training sessions exciting and engaging. Trick training encourages problem-solving and helps burn energy in a controlled way.
6. Settling & Relaxing
Adolescent dogs often struggle with being still, so teaching them to relax is just as important as active training. Use a designated mat or bed to practice a long “Down” with calm reinforcement. You can find how to train this in Lesson 3.3 “Place” and “Go to Bed”. Rewarding relaxation and calm behavior helps your dog learn how to settle in different environments, reducing restlessness and over-excitement.
Remember:
By incorporating these activities into your daily routine, you’re setting your adolescent dog up for success! Your adolescent dog is still growing, both physically and mentally. It’s important to support brain development and provide appropriate outlets for their energy. Training should be fun, engaging, and rewarding for both of you. The more consistency and patience you put in now, the more balanced and well-mannered your dog will be in adulthood! This phase can be frustrating, but maintaining a strong bond through training will improve your dog’s responsiveness and trust!
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