Moments of Genius

Living with a teenage dog

There is nothing like a teenage dog to remind you why you need to leave your trainer ego at home.

As a trainer working with my own dog, I am often both humbled and inspired in the same walk or training session. My dog reminds me that I am working with a living, sentient being—one with his own temperament, personality, feelings, thoughts, and ideas that don’t always align with mine.

Sydney, I was soon to learn, didn't get excited by stuff, he got EXCITED by stuff. Sights, sounds, and smells, he would jump and bark and yip, at the sight of a cat, running across the road. Forget food rewards, he was too excited. Toys, jacked him up so high, so quickly, that he was soon jumping, biting and had completely lost him mind.

This is why I understand and can empathize with other people who struggle with their own teenage dog.

Its at this is the point where a some of us can start to feel overwhelmed.

That cute puppy is gone, and this new version of our dog - a teenage dog - is not at all like we expected.

What is going on?

Teenage dogs are starting to resemble their adult dog body in size and shape, but their brains are still under development.

A brain under development means they are more emotional, more excited, more reactive, more frustrated, and generally more easily distracted.

Everything in their world suddenly feels more interesting to them. At the same time, their ability to regulate themselves hasn’t fully caught up yet, which is why you see that mix of excitement, impulsiveness, and inconsistency.

One day they can do it. The next day, they can’t seem to think at all.

It’s at this point you look enviously at those owners walking calmly past, while you struggle to hold back the force of your teenager and wonder what you’re doing wrong.

To fix the problem, you might decide that it’s time to spay or neuter your dog to help change them back to the puppy of days gone by, only to see the same teenage behaviors weeks later with no noticeable changes.

Then their is the temptation to turn to e-collars, choke chains, or punishment-based techniques increases as you struggle to manage your teenage dog.

What is the solution

The solution is to have a plan to work on each day, this can give you direction to move forward, and not just get through this teenage phase but to raise a calm, well-adjusted dog. Its why I love this Cooperation, Connection and Control course, it provides clear simple instructions, and a plan to work on, giving you the guidance you need on daily basis. Teaching your teenage dog the self-control; the focus and attention; and the ability to really relax - life skills.

What I also found helpful to remember at this stage, was to look for the “moments of genius”—the small successes along the way, where you begin to feel like you are making progress.

Those moments matter.

That stretch of your walk where they actually listened and responded, even when the squirrel ran past.

That moment they noticed something exciting and chose—however briefly—to check in with you.

That time they didn’t jump on your guests or sniff them inappropriately.

These are not small things. These are the signs of progress.

We stick with the plan.

We stay kind, but not permissive.

And we remind ourselves that we got this!

Because it can be hard… there is a reason that shelters are filled with young teenage dogs. This is often the stage where people start to give up. And yet, this is exactly where we need to hang in there and start to notice where our dogs are getting it right.

Because what is happening is not defiance—it’s development - its your dog going through those big changes in their brain and body.

Because those moments—when it happens—remind you to enjoy the dog in front of you and see the superstar they will become!!