Teen dog thread

[Unluckycat1]

Is there any appetite for a thread for owners of adolescent dogs? I think at 11 months Unluckypup has outgrown the puppy thread, but I'd love to keep chatting with others as she's my first dog and I don't know what I'm doing sometimes, or if things will get better.

Inspired by today's battle to get her back on the lead 😫

Her recall vanished at around nine months. But there's a decent fenced field nearby so all good. She's probably part saluki so needs a hard run most days. Although she wasn't (outside of the house) responding to her name or 'come' anymore, I would make myself interesting by being quite active, having treats, and she would check in with me often, and most of the time get a treat for her trouble, and eventually I'd pop her back on the lead to go.

Except today she would not come close. She seemed to want me to chase her and was dancing about just out of reach. She was also chasing every single car that went past as if possessed, which is new. I managed to eventually trick her by putting a YouTube video of squeaky ball sounds on my phone, hiding my phone in a bush, and grabbing her when she was investigating, but I doubt that'll work twice. She did the same to my partner the other day and it took him an hour and a half to get her back. So I guess no off-lead time now, until...who knows??

Anyone been through this and reached the well-behaved other side? Anyone want to pour a glass of wine with me because they're going through similar? Feel free to share any hardships or successes or tips 🙏(and photos!)

@Sunflowers098 Gizlotspup tries to kill the towel ( and occassionally gets the hand behind the towel) even if we give him another towel

No teenage dog, he's now 7. But thought I'd give all the teen dog parents a little hope. They all seem to "forget" most of their training, especially their re call, around 9-12 months. This comes back, please don't worry but stay consistent, it will pay off in the end.
I remember reading somewhere that every 6 months or so they have a surge of hormones which are responsible for growth, but they are also responsible for changes in behaviour (naughtiness) these surges tend to slow down or stop around 2-3 depending on dog size. It does get better and easier. Just stay consistent and don't give up on what your doing, keep training and believing in what you're trying to implement. You will reap the rewards in the end.

Another goldie owner checking in 😁 . They do calm down at, about, ten years old…

My teen boy is a joy (not the human one) but he is so full of beans and there are so many miserable so-and-sos around - I would have to say that pandemic small-dog owners are my nemesis. Today a woman was throwing a ball for her dog and Dog joined in. He wasn’t bothering them, just chasing the ball. She started on at me that Dog wasn’t welcome. I encouraged Dog off the other way and blow me down, her ball comes winging after us with her shouting “That big dog is not to touch the ball!” Strewth.

Oh yes, I dread those owners who throw balls close to us. Cue both shoulders being pulled out of sockets by dog leaping to get it.

My dog is now 2 years old and I well remember the worst of the teen phase. At 8 and 9 months old, he was mostly fine, just a bit of selective hearing. I thought we'd get through adolescence fairly easily. Then he hit 10 months of age and completely lost his mind. On one particularly bad day he stole someone's shoe in the park and knocked over a little girl. I have never been so mortified. I was also extremely discouraged, as he'd been a dream up to that point. It seemed as though all my hard work training him was in vain.

However, it does get better. Right about the time he turned a year old, he seemed to mature and settle into himself. He suddenly remembered everything he'd learned previously. Also he became much more interested in playing with a ball and not as excited by other dogs.

Long lines are brilliant when teen pups struggle with recall. If you clip the line to a harness, there is no danger of choking if the lead catches on something. As a PP suggested, the collar touch game can also be a game changer.

My dog is a joy these days. The only issue we still have is his overexcitement around greeting people, especially guests in the house. But with perseverance that is getting better. We had a houseguest from last Thursday to yesterday and my dog behaved very well, much better than I could have hoped. It was helpful that the guest understood dogs well herself.

So don't despair if you are in the throes of doggy adolescence. There really is light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you thank you to all that have given me hope that this stage should pass.

We've had no off-lead time since Thursday's nightmare, and unluckypup has been really unsettled and hyper in the evenings. I think she really is a dog that needs to run (part saluki). So today I cracked, and armed with balls and stinky cat food we went into the fenced field. She checked in with me once, got some cat food, twice, got some cat food. And that was it. Would not come anywhere near me for the next hour. Dropped the ball a good distance away. When I ran into the trees bolted after me, but then veered off once she realised she was getting close. Would not play 'find it' with the ball when it was hidden in an area that would leave her cornered. That I got her in the end was frankly miraculous. (As an aside two cockerpoos followed me everywhere thanks to the cat food! so I can see that for some dogs it really is the thing).

I feel so defeated. The only thing left to try is dropping a long lead, though when I suggested it to my partner he said 'god no, she'd break a leg' which is my biggest fear too. I would love to hear from anyone who has a fast dog and has used this method and can reassure me that we're being ridiculous, because she really can run, she nearly keeps up with an adolescent greyhound.

My other question (and at this stage biggest hope) is, could the dramatic change in behaviour be down to an imminent first season? She's 11 months so must be due one.

Hello, can I join in with my 12 month old giant breed enormous toddler? He's a newfoundland who was fine off lead up until about 4 months ago, but because of his size we can't risk him running off and jumping up at people. He's so strong though, walking him on lead is a bit of a nightmare, as he pulls so much. I have a lot of pain in my elbow now from his pulling.

He also has other naughty behaviours of jumping up at visitors and stealing everything he can get his mouth on (which is quite a lot of stuff). He is a very lovable boy though, and spends a lot of time not doing these things, but we are working on him, and have got a trainer coming to help us.

So just here for the solidarity from others in the same boat

I love Newfoundlands - no rugs needed!

The trouble with long lines and big dogs is that they are strong; stronger than whoever is holding the line. Plus the line gets wrapped around things - and people. So I have found that long lines = useless.

My dog is a) fast and b) clumsy. He comes when he’s called but if anyone is between us 🫣 . There are so many grumbling people around these days too. I have started going to a rather pitbull-y place to walk Dog as the owners are so much more friendly than the prissy “my dog has anxiety and mental health issues” woman I encountered yesterday 😡

Please can I join? Ours is something over 2, a Macedonian rescue. We thought a lab cross, but the DNA test says not a drop of lab in him, but lots of eastern European and Asian shepherd (wolf-fighting) breeds. We've had him about 6 months and it's been a whirlwind. So far we've been doing recall only on a medium length lead. A low point last week when he took me waterskiing across a muddy field for what seemed like hours before I could get him under control - he's far too big and strong for me to handle. But today much better. Tried running backwards when I called him to me, and the moving target seemed much more appealing. Fingers crossed it wasn't a one-off.
Loving all the tips and suggestions. We really need them!

Here he is

Love all the new teen dogs .
Does anyone have any special plans for how to cope on Christmas day ?
Mine is still quite excitable so after doing a stock take and realising dog has a fair amount of presents , have decided if pup has all her presents on xmas morning we will be peeling her off the roof . So have decided she will get her prezzies one a day of the holidays .
No idea how she is going to react to xmas crackers (none of other dogs liked them) so might confine her to crate for the duration of xmas lunch .
No idea how she is going react to xmas tree , none of our others bothered with it so fingers crossed she doesn't bother with it , if she does I've a pen I can put around the tree .
Although I do have to say please be careful with tinsel it's really dangerous and can kill a dog if it gets wrapped in their guts .

I am lucky with Sunpup's recall. He's a bit of an anxious boy so he does check in with me...unless there's someone else with a ball flinger, in which case he's gone!
He is improving with lead walking, he's great at home, no chewing, 100% toilet trained, sleeps quietly 10:30-8am, 90% recall.

Our main issue is he's 15 months old, still got his bits, so if he meets a similar young intact boy- it's fight time... which makes walks stressful.. he's off to the vets soon for chemical implant to see if it helps.
I really want to take him back to training but currently he can't be trusted with other boy dogs so we can't go 🙁🙁

@Unluckycat1 i have a dalmatian x gsd just about to turn 2. Off lead stays closeish, bothers no-one but wont be caught esp if he has a toy or stick. Long line is the only way, as a dalmatian he has to run! I have a 10ft and a 30 ft. Never any issues with either. He runs like a madman ALOT. He has got stuck a couple of times if its got wrapped on something bit no injury to him

Ah yes, @helpshesateen Christmas. We are half considering a Christmas tree suspended above the hall, because there's no way we can have one anywhere else. But no idea if it'll work.

@helpshesateen I think we'll be putting our Christmas tree in the dog pen this year, there is no way Rowdypup will leave it alone.

We are hosting Christmas too so I'm trying to put plans in place to prevent the dogs going too crazy. So far I've booked a secure dog field so they can have a good run before guests arrive. We will get them large frozen bones to chomp on in the morning whilst presents are being open. And then in the afternoon we'll take them out for a walk after lunch so hopefully they will settle down for the evening. My Mil is bringing her dog too so it will be chaotic I'm sure.

I bought a new lead yesterday, a bungee one which is supposed to help with pulling, so I'm hoping that will be a good buy.

@Rowdythree Dog field in the morning on the days with lots of visitors is a great idea! We've booked a couple of slots too.
Bought a fake Christmas tree today that we're going to cut off the back branches from and try to put on a high ledge above the hall. God knows if it'll work.

Seeing as Feelypup ate half a fire extinguisher, we aren’t going to bother with a christmas tree this year 😬😬🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

@Rowdythree Can I ask what bones you get please. We have family coming round at Christmas and it’s going to be chaos. Last year we had a pen as our pup was only 4 months old but that has long gone and I need something to keep him busy when we open presents. Your idea sounds ideal 😀

@CockapooMadness we get bones from Just for Pets in the freezer section. My dogs are both very large so we get them both a frozen beef knuckle bone which lasts for ages! They do other smaller bones as well.

Best laid plans and all that, I just feel better knowing I've got a plan, even if it all goes pear shaped on the day 😬

@feelingalittlehorse oh no! I feel your pain 🍷

@CockapooMadness Ostrich bone. Honeycomb inner so no splintering.

Word of warning re bones and guests. Bones result in the most dreadful farts…

Although Grandad can safely blame the dog!

Cow hoof is a cheap alternative to a bone for a dog that likes to chew! But they do stink!

Thank you for your suggestions and @MaturingCheeseball you did make me laugh!

I don't know if it's because of the full moon, but Rowdypup has been absolutely crazy this past couple of days. He's been pushing me to my very limits, stealing everything he can get his mouth on and even pulled me over on our walk yesterday. Any other pups been misbehaving?

Mine has been particularly barky - he’s been very on edge