Anyone else with a teenage dog?

[Muddypup]

I started with the puppy thread when I first got my pup at 8 weeks old. It was such a great support. Just wondered if anyone else would appreciate the same kind of thread for slightly older puppies?
My spaniel is just about 9 months. I’ve been feeling quietly smug that she’s been pretty easy so far.
However, we’re on holiday at the minute and she’s been a holy horror . She’s peed twice in our holiday home and her recall has totally disappeared.
We took her to a beach today and she took off after a bird, frightening us to death, only to trot back 5 minutes later as though nothing had happened.
Hoping it’s the holiday thing and that as soon as we get home she’s going to turn back into our reasonably well behaved girl rather than the start of teenage attitude!!

[Juanbablo]

Ours is just about 5 months and has behaved awfully on walks the last 2 days. Ran off from dh and wouldn't come back. Yesterday he came back every time but wouldn't let us catch him to put the lead on. Finally a collie came along and essentially herded him close enough for long enough so we could get the lead on. The little rat! I thought we would have a little while yet before this stage began. We will have to up the training I think. Plus he's a terrier so just a general arsehole a lot of the time.

[Snoopdogowner]

Pup decided to start barking at a small boy playing football in the park today. Had to get the boy to stand behind me so I could lure pup to me and leash him.....ffs

[talia66]

My annoying teenage dog has been driving me crazy today! He has walks, fun, rest, a bit of training and still he is trying to get my attention. He is constantly moaning. I know as there is nothing else wrong and it is attention seeking. In fact as I type this his head has just popped up over my laptop and he is having a moan (will post a picture). He has just had the zoomies. Roll on 9pm when I know he will crash!

[Gotaprettypup]

Prettypup is definitely a teenager/toddler. We went backwards with recall so I'm nervous about that, coupled with being unable to access the secure dog training area we can use due to flooding. She is a big boisterous girl so I need to feel happy that she will come back and not be a bad mannered oaf or worse if she sees squirrels/dogs/deer/horses. Working with a 1-1 trainer so we have cracked loose lead walking, calming etc.

[Catsrus]

I've been through it more times than I care to remember... 13 dogs, 6 rescues so older, but the rest from pups, actually one of the rescues, the latest, from 6 months so we've had the teens.

It passes, just like young teenage children become quite nice older teenagers and young adults. Adopt the same strategy. be fair, consistent and reward good behaviour.

The latest dog has JUST, in the last few weeks, turned a corner and I can see that he's paying attention and knows that I will be asking stuff of him and that he will get a reward for responding correctly to that.

hang on in there and it will be worth it, but this bit is really hard!

[FleasAndKeef]

I've been through the teenage dog phase twice now (what was I thinking, getting a second!) And it is awful! Far, far worse than the puppy bit. The advice I always give to teenage dog owners now is this:
Three things will get you through the teenage dog phase 1. High value treats in abundance (human food is best) 2. A long training line 3. A sense of humour. Good luck everyone! runs away to enjoy my two now delightful adult dogs

[Muddypup]

@PestyMachtubernahme you’re right, I am indeed a dog training genius. Perhaps I will write a book...!

[PestyMachtubernahme]

We are waiting for the next bit of training now...how to ignore the birds!!
Muddy you are a genius and have already sussed the bird problem. Walk in the dark, I'm willing to become nocturnal.

Pestypup is 10 months, not had first season yet and has been having a bad week or two. However, have been staring at her tonight, she has been growing her head.

[heatseeker14]

Sounds like my pup, @DICarter1. He absolutely loves other dogs and would like to run off to play with all of them. I found it hard to hold his focus at puppy class because of his love for other dogs. He has been on a long line for a while now, and unfortunately I can’t see this changing any time soon.
The last few days his energy levels have gone through the roof. He has always been active and switched on, but the last few days it’s like someone has given him red bull! 😂 Frantic zoomies and rigorous humping sessions. His new fluffy bed was used for most of the bonking action. I had to remove it in the end because he wouldn’t leave it alone. On walks he is marking a fair bit. Yesterday he tried to mark a tree by reversing up and pooping on it. 😂

[DICarter1]

Owner of 14 month old here. Whilst 90% of the time he’s a great dog his recall is shit. He’s always been obsessed by dogs even at training classes. He also doesn’t like walking to heel. Thankfully he’s not a large dog and calms down after about half an hour. Our problem is dogs. He’s way too friendly. Nice treats, super exciting playtime are nothing in comparison to another dog. So he’s on a long line. When he was younger I’d let him off lead until he became very unreliable.

Thankfully he’s a really good boy at home. Puts up with our autistic dd bothering him and doesn’t chew anything. So he’s basically great until we leave the house and he’s like a toddler on a sugar high.

[GeraltOfRivia]

@Helenluvsrob ours did that for a bit at a similar age and I went back to doing what I'd did with both kids and the dog when he was smaller. Go down. Silent, face straight. Open back door. Dog out, wait for him to come in, still silent and statue like, shut door once in. Go back to bed.

I was the single most boring person in the world in the middle of the night. It took a couple of nights but he got it.

[Helenluvsrob]

Any any hints for not going to bed / woofing to get our and have a lap - just for 10 mins ... but when it’s at midnight and 2 am it’s killing

[Helenluvsrob]

7 mo KCS here.

Teenage cloth ears. We have just started more training classes that I think will help. Basically we just need to reward more and better having phased out the treats mostly.

He walks fine off lead stays close , plays with other dogs etc but comes back in his own sweet time and can’t be relied on to read other dogs and owners - where we go mainly they are all great dogs and all off lead .

He’s so good with lots of things that just happen eg he’ll now ignore people who walk past , and not chase cycles / runners , but I know I’m. Not really in control. He even checks in and will stop and look before doing some things but not always !

Did try him back on the long line but he’s little and it’s like a ball and chain at the moment.

[Catsrus]

If you have a large garden I wouldn't bother with walking while she's in season. you can exercise her in the garden and use the time to do lots of training and brain work - that will tire her out.

Male dogs will find her irresistible - not just the middle week when she's receptive - and she will be desperate to get to them, so if she's already a puller on the lead it will be a nightmare.

spaying can't be done near to a season, so vets need you to not exactly when you think the season starts and finishes. Ring them and tell them the dates and then they will give you the best date for the spay.

[Muddypup]

@thefemalelemur Doggy pants?!? I think she’s rip them to shreds. Might have to give it a go though!
@Poochnewbie how are you working on the lead walking? We were told by our trainer to change direction each time she pulled so we were walking round in a square. We said heel each time we turned her. We cracked that and she knows exactly what heel means and how to do it. If we walk her in the dark she walks beautifully. However in the daytime she can see and hear birds and it’s like she’s possessed. We are waiting for the next bit of training now...how to ignore the birds!!

[thefemalelemur]

Season tends to last three weeks. Sounds like she's hormonal to me, so it could be imminent. To make it easier round the house, we bought some doggy pants! They have a hole for the tail and fasten with Velcro and save you getting your house spattered.

[Whywhywhynow]

With regard to the season. Our vet has told us to wait for her first season then get her done 3 months after it’s finished. She’s going in to be done in April.
Her first season was messy. It seemed to last longer than 3 weeks. It made her a bit jumpy behaviour wise but didn’t affect her too much.

[Poochnewbie]

I think I write a pretty much identical thread when my spaniel pup was the same age.
I have to say, she’s nearly 18 months now and her recall has been back to being great for a while now. She’s a great little dog but still cannot walk on a lead... we’re working on it...

[Muddypup]

@StillMedusa how long did the season last? Was she especially grumpy or naughty? Mine is awful on her lead, I’ll have arms like Mr Tickle the way she pulls.
Our vet nurse said we should just get her done regardless of whether she’s had a season or not. We’ve been told by our dog trainer/daycare man to wait though.

[StillMedusa]

Mine had her first season in January quite early at 8 months. It wasn't too bad to be fair.
A bit of spotting, a lot of licking herself , popped her on a long line over the middle weeks but, let her free in deserted places with an eye for any dogs on the horizon.. and spent a lot of time going 'um does your dog still have his bits?!'

She's been an arse since tho.. alwaysfussy she is now even worse with her food, her recall is selective and she often sticks a middle claw up at me!


Mine won't be spayed until she is at least 18m (larger breed so for her health it's better to wait) so we have to manage her probably twice more!

mrsawhite nice to see another Eurasier owner!!! Who was your breeder and whereabouts are you? Are you in the Eurasier Society?

[GeraltOfRivia]

Sorry muddy no idea. We got a boy, in part because we didn't want a season to deal with, but mainly because the litter cane out 6 boys to 1 girl and our breeders mum chose the girl

[Muddypup]

Anyone know how hideous first seasons tend to be? I’m dreading it. Our puppy is 9 months now so I’m guessing it’s imminent! Looking forward to getting her spayed and having that over with too.

[mrsawhite]

Don't often reply on MN. But I sympathise. I have an 8 month Eurasier. Who was so loyal and lovely. And is now becoming noisy and pulling like a train despite trying every walk with heel. Which he was picking up well. Now doesn't give a hoot. Also now no respect for personal space.

[longtompot]

Ah I remember those days whistfulthinking
It was awful. I thought I had the best pup, and then she forgot everything she had been taught and went wild! Hormones have a lot to answer for.
Basically you need to go back to training, working on recall etc and use a longline. It will get better, honest.

Until they start their first season ;)

[Catsrus]

I'd find a good training class girlie all the dogs will be on leads and you will do exercises to train them to ignore each other, sit nicely while the owners chat etc.