Key Takeaways
- Adolescence in dogs typically runs from six to eighteen months and involves significant hormonal and neurological change.
- Training that seemed solid during puppyhood can appear to disappear almost overnight during this phase.
- Consistency and patience matter more during adolescence than any new training technique.
- Giving up on the dog or drastically reducing exercise are among the most common and damaging mistakes owners make.
- Most dogs emerge from adolescence calmer and more trainable if their owners stay the course.
What actually happens during canine adolescence
Between roughly six and eighteen months, a dog's brain and body go through changes that affect impulse control, emotional regulation, and responsiveness to cues. Hormonal surges alter the way the brain processes reward and risk. Research from the University of Nottingham published in 2020 found that dogs became significantly less obedient to their owners during adolescence, mirroring patterns seen in human teenagers, and that this was not a training failure but a biological process.
Owners who understand this context are far better placed to stay consistent. Those who don't often personalise the behaviour, assume the dog is being defiant out of stubbornness, and respond in ways that make things worse. The sections below cover the most common mistakes, why they happen, and what to do instead.
If your dog is still in the puppy phase, it is worth reading about the difference between socialisation and obedience training before adolescence arrives, as the groundwork you lay earlier shapes how this period unfolds.
The mistakes owners make and how to avoid them
Assuming the dog has forgotten all its training and starting over from scratch.
Why it happens: When a dog that reliably sat and came when called suddenly ignores every cue, owners conclude the training didn't stick and begin repeating basic lessons as if working with a brand-new puppy.
Punishing the dog for behaviours driven by hormonal and neurological change.
Why it happens: Pulling on the lead, ignoring recall, and jumping on guests feel deliberate, so owners respond with physical corrections or raised voices, believing the dog is choosing to misbehave.
Cutting exercise because the dog has become harder to manage on walks.
Why it happens: A dog that lunges, barks reactively, or ignores commands in public is embarrassing and exhausting. Many owners respond by walking less often or only in quiet, restricted spaces.
Inconsistently enforcing rules across different family members.
Why it happens: One person allows the dog on the sofa; another does not. One person rewards jumping up; another tells the dog off for it. Adolescent dogs are especially sensitive to inconsistency because their impulse control is already compromised.
Reducing social contact with the dog as frustration grows.
Why it happens: When a dog is difficult, owners may spend less time playing with or simply sitting near it, especially if corrections have created tension. The relationship gradually erodes without either party noticing.
Adolescent dogs also have high energy needs that rarely decrease even when behaviour gets difficult. The Pet Food and Lifestyle hub has broader guidance on supporting dogs through different life stages, including how nutritional needs shift as a dog matures. See also how dietary needs change from puppyhood onward, since an adolescent dog's caloric and protein requirements differ from those of a puppy.
Some owners notice what looks like separation distress emerging for the first time during adolescence. If your dog is destroying furniture, vocalising excessively, or soiling indoors only when left alone, recognising the signs of separation anxiety early can prevent the behaviour from becoming entrenched.
Adolescence can mask or amplify anxiety
Some behaviours that appear during adolescence, including destructiveness, excessive vocalisation, and house soiling, are not straightforward teenage rebellion. They may signal genuine anxiety that will worsen without support. If your dog's behaviour is extreme, escalating, or causing distress to the dog itself, speak with a veterinarian or a certified applied animal behaviourist rather than waiting for the phase to pass.