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"They're Not Being Naughty": Why Teenage Dogs Stop Listening

The Canine Perspective

Many dog owners are surprised when their once well-behaved puppy seems to change overnight. Recall becomes unreliable, lead walking falls apart, and behaviours like jumping up, grabbing, barking or pulling on the lead suddenly increase. For many families who brought home a puppy over Christmas, this stage may be starting to emerge.

According to accredited canine behaviourist, expert force-free trainer and bestselling author Sarah Rutten, this stage is not only common, it is a normal part of development.

“Adolescence can begin from around 4 months and continue through to 2 years, depending on the dog,” Sarah says. “Teenage dogs have a reputation for pushing boundaries, but what we’re usually seeing is a young dog going through a major developmental stage.”

During adolescence, dogs can become more distracted, impulsive and inconsistent. Some appear bolder and more adventurous, while others become more sensitive or easily overwhelmed.

“It’s very common for guardians to feel like their dog has forgotten everything,” Sarah says. “You might see selective listening, more interest in the environment, or a sudden increase in behaviours like jumping, barking or struggling to settle.”

Sarah explains that these changes are linked to brain development.

“Dogs at this age are still developing their frontal lobe, much like we are as teenagers,” she says. “Impulse control, decision-making and emotional regulation are still maturing, which is why they can seem to act first and think later.”

This often leads to behaviour being misinterpreted.

“Dogs don’t misbehave to challenge us or take control,” she says. “Behaviour is influenced by what the dog is experiencing at that moment, not a desire to be naughty.”

She adds that outdated ideas around dominance can make this stage more difficult for both dogs and their guardians.

“When people believe their dog is deliberately pushing boundaries, they’re more likely to respond with frustration or punishment,” Sarah says. “But what dogs need during this stage is support, guidance and consistency.”

What Actually Helps During the Teenage Phase

Sarah says the key to navigating adolescence is adjusting expectations and focusing on practical, consistent training.

“Adolescence isn’t a sign that your training has failed,” she says. “It’s a sign your dog is growing up.”

She recommends focusing on the following:

1. Going back to basics:
   Revisit foundation skills like recall, lead walking and calm behaviour in low-distraction environments before expecting reliability in more challenging settings.

2. Reducing the level of difficulty:
   If your dog is struggling, the environment is likely too hard. Training in quieter spaces helps set them up for success before gradually increasing distractions.

3. Reinforcing what you want to see:
   Reward behaviours you like consistently. Dogs are more likely to repeat behaviours that are reinforced.

4. Managing the environment:
   Use leads, barriers or controlled setups to prevent rehearsing behaviours like jumping, grabbing or pulling while your dog is still learning.

5. Meeting their needs:
   Ensure your dog is getting appropriate physical exercise, mental stimulation and opportunities to engage with their environment in a safe way.

6. Staying consistent:
   Clear and consistent expectations help dogs understand what is required of them, even when their behaviour feels unpredictable.

“Consistency is what creates clarity for dogs,” Sarah says. “It’s not about being stricter, it’s about being clear and predictable.”

Above all, Sarah encourages guardians to stay patient.

“This stage can feel chaotic, but it’s temporary,” she says. “With the right support, dogs come through it and continue to develop into well-adjusted adults.”

Sarah says the challenges of adolescence are something she is currently exploring in her next book.

“It continues the conversation from my first book, helping guardians understand why dogs behave the way they do, especially during stages like adolescence where things can feel confusing,” she says. “When we understand what’s happening, everything becomes much easier to navigate.”

The title is currently under wraps, with further details to be announced.

About us:

More information:

For more expert advice on dog behaviour and force-free training, check out Sarah’s website and her book The Canine Perspective: Using Force-Free Methods to Unleash Your Dog’s Paw-tential.

Contact details:

Millana Ayache

[email protected]

0499072922