Border Terrier puppy - what age do they hit adolescence?

[tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz]

Pooch is 11 months old and when he got to 8/9, something wonderful happened and he started to chill out. Happy to relax about the house while we were busy, eating our meals etc. The horrific bitey tendencies seemed to diminish and he just mouthed us occasionally.

Well, I don’t know if it’s something in the water round here but in recent weeks it’s as if he’s regressing to a baby puppy again. Can’t seem to relax for long in the day (fed and watered, walked well, lots of play and training sessions). The biting has returned this time accompanied by the awesome jumping they do and he tries to nip our bums, pull clothes. And barking at everything.

I realise we have to really work on reinforcing good training again and reward the good stuff. But some days when he only does the bad stuff it’s so, so relentless.

Thankfully in the evening when we settle down for some tv it doesn’t take him long to jump up and snuggle up to me like weee superglued and look up with those beautiful brown eyes before he dozes. Then he sleeps like a dream still at night in his crate so that’s also a plus.

Wondering if it’s adolescence yet? Or any other wisdom?

I'm a behaviourist. I'd say adolescent behaviour typically hits between nine months and 12 months. It depends a lot on the ground work of training and fundamentals you already have in place (which from what you've said sounds pretty solid). Basically lower your expectations, be super consistent and go back to basics. Get your long line back out for walks if he's going deaf, puppy line on in the house all the time that he is supervised so you can interrupt the mouthing immediately, and look for triggers (people bundling home from school/work tends to be a big one). Also check if he's having a growth spurt - you want to feel his ribs with the palm of your hand but not see them or feel bony hips on his back. If you do, up his food as he may well be hangry!

Only came on for the photo of said border terrier puppy.

Follow nosetotrail on insta. She has the same pup roughly the same age and posts a bit about what she does with her and what she's like. It might help you!

Edit to add the most important bit, which is that she's a behaviorist

This is very helpful, thank you. I’ll go and check for hip bones now 😳 although his energy makes me feel he’s probably ok food wise 😂. But I’d not thought of that.

We’ve never used a house lead and having needed to until now but I’ll keep that in mind too.

Ahh unfortunately I’m a Luddite who isn’t on any SM!

@Silverbirchleafsorry, good point! Very mannered of me 😊

Active young dogs will still be super active even when chronically underweight, so don't let energy levels fool you! If he's a porker though, don't give him more fuel 😂
The house line is very useful for being able to interrupt behaviours in the moment. Mouthing especially, if you reach for his collar it's an invitation to continue land sharking.

Ahhhhhh he's gorgeous like a teeny Steiff Bear ( even though he's being a little toad)

Thank you. Puppy tax paid.

Adorable!

Oooooh, he’s lovely!

@Wherethewildthings
Ahh ok - yes shall definitely check his weight, thank you x