HELP! My dogs a teenager.

Firstly if your spot a change in behaviour consider getting a vet check. Hormonal changes, brain issues and other medical problems can all change a dogs behaviour and need to be taken seriously. Age can obviously also change your dogs need behaviour. If you have done your research you will know all dogs go through growth and socialisation periods and a sudden surge of teenage hormones can completely change your dogs behaviour.

My personal experience – the hound of doom

You might remember Basil from previous blogs, he’s my youngest dog and I love the bones of him but when he became a teenager I was ready to send him back to the rescue, sell him or buy a hound sized straight jacket! He went nutso!

After three hours walking with our group walks at bed time he became a whirling dervish. He started doing what we affectionately call ‘the wall of death’ around the bedroom, ripping at cushions, curtains and hands if they got in the way. It was a BIG change from the scared little pup I had been assured as a part greyhound would fold up small, sleep a lot and behave himself and I panicked.

It turns out that was all a lie! Lurchers are lovable rouges and not for the faint hearted but even still this change in his behaviour was a scary and unexpected one. Had I not had the experience of owning 5 other dogs, and by this time 6 years of working with dogs professionally I might just have followed through with my threats.

So what did we do?

Firstly all his meals were fed by hand or in a treat toy or kong. He had to work his tiny brain!
We played more hunt the toy and fetch games. Yep my hound fetches, not all do and Basil has his moments where he looks at the toy, laughs and walks away but we still played as much as he wanted.
Jumps. Lurchers love a good challenge and for Basil it’s baby gates, the bugger can jump one in a second. He knows it and so do we. So I trained him to do it. Silly perhaps but it sure helps get rid of some of that pent up energy.
Play times were made calmer and we focused more on training and control. For a time we stopped play with the other dogs. Hounds play rough at the best of times and we didn’t want to encourage mouthing.
I added a walk to his schedule. Luckily he had got over his fear of the dark at this point (yes it’s a real thing). Half an hour before his usual flip out I donned my coat and off we would go on a very calm walk around the block for ten or so minutes. Six weeks later and I could phase this extra exercise out! We rode the wave of teenage hood and won, fingers and sanity intact!

Meet the pillock himself

Don’t get me wrong he still drives me insane but my ‘baby boy’ (oh yeah I am one of those pet parents) lived to tell another tale. In fact he just turned 7 years old.

What do YOU do now?

Teenagers of all species are hard work. They learn by pushing boundaries and testing social rules. We don’t give up on our kids and we shouldn’t give up on our dogs. If you are struggling with your dogs behaviour call someone reputable, your vet, your local positive reinforcement trainer or your knowledgeable dog walker. Don’t be afraid to pick and choose the advice you get either. Hurting your dog should never ever be an option, you can read more about why from Victoria Stilwell.

For more information on how Poppy and Pals Pet Care can help you and your teenage tearaway call us on 07982 406 682.