Challenges of the Adolescent (Teen) Dog
Linda Kwoun 
Ever feel like your sweet puppy suddenly turned into a… wild child? 😅
If you’re living with a dog between about 5–6 months and 24 months old…
You might be wondering:
👉 “Where did my good puppy go?”
👉 “Why is my dog suddenly not listening?”
👉 “Did I do something wrong?”
Let me reassure you right now—
You didn’t break your dog.
Your dog is going through adolescence.
And this phase?
It’s real. It’s normal. And yes… it can feel a little wild.
“Is My Dog Broken… or Just a Teenager?”
Let me share a few moments from clients that might sound familiar:
One client laughed and said,
“My 8-month-old puppy’s brain is the size of a walnut right now.”
Another lovingly described her dog as a
“wild child” who seemed to have endless energy and zero impulse control.
And one very honest (and slightly sleep-deprived) pup parent asked me:
👉 “Can dogs have ADHD?!”
I get it. I really do.
Because what you’re seeing can look like:
- Selective hearing
- Sudden bursts of chaos
- Big feelings in small bodies
- Forgetting things they used to know
But here’s what’s actually happening…
What’s Really Going On During Adolescence
This stage is a developmental phase, not a training failure.
Your dog is experiencing:
- Brain development changes
- Hormonal shifts
- Increased curiosity and independence
- Lower impulse control
- Heightened sensitivity to their environment
Think of it like the teenage years in humans.
They’re not trying to be difficult.
They’re trying to figure out how to exist in the world with a rapidly changing brain.
Why This Phase Feels So Hard
Because you’ve already put in work.
You’ve taught:
✔ Sit
✔ Come
✔ Walk nicely (sometimes)
And now it feels like…
👉 “Why are we going backwards?”
But here’s the truth:
They didn’t forget.
Their brain just can’t access it the same way right now.
This is where so many people feel frustrated…
…and where dogs often get labeled as “stubborn” or “bad.”
But that label? It misses what’s really needed.
What Your Dog Needs Most Right Now
Not more pressure.
Not harsher corrections.
They need guidance, structure, and support through development.
This is the phase where your role shifts from:
👉 Teaching behaviors
to
👉 Helping your dog learn how to think
3 Ways to Support Your Adolescent Dog (Without Losing Your Mind)
1. Teach Calm as a Skill (Not a Personality Trait)
This is one of the most overlooked pieces in dog training.
So many people focus on:
- Commands
- Obedience
- Physical exercise
But skip the part where dogs learn how to settle and self-regulate
And here’s the truth:
👉 Your dog is not born knowing how to relax.
They learn it.
You can start by:
- Reinforcing calm moments (even small ones)
- Teaching your dog to settle on a mat
- Creating structured downtime after activity
- Rewarding slower, softer behaviors—not just excitement
Because a dog who can relax…
is a dog who can think.
2. Lower the Difficulty—Raise the Success
This is where many people unintentionally make things harder.
Your dog might have been able to:
✔ Listen at home
✔ Walk nicely on a quiet street
But adolescence changes their threshold.
Now the same environment may feel overwhelming.
Instead of thinking:
👉 “They should know this already”
Shift to:
👉 “What can they handle right now?”
That might mean:
- More distance from distractions
- Shorter training sessions
- Simpler expectations in busier environments
Success builds confidence.
Confidence builds better choices.
3. Prioritize Guidance Over Perfection
This is not the phase to expect perfection.
This is the phase to:
- Help your dog recover from mistakes
- Show them what to do instead
- Guide them through situations, not test them in them
Think:
👉 “How can I help my dog succeed here?”
Not:
👉 “Why are they messing this up?”
Because the goal isn’t a perfectly behaved dog today—
It’s a dog who is learning how to navigate the world for life.
A Quick Reframe That Changes Everything
Instead of thinking:
“My dog is being bad”
Try:
👉 “My dog is having a hard time”
That one shift changes how you respond.
And your response?
That’s what shapes your dog.
You’re Not Behind—You’re In The Middle
If your dog feels like a “wild child” right now…
If their brain feels like a “walnut”…
If you’ve ever wondered if they have “ADHD”…
You’re not alone.
You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re just in one of the most important stages of your dog’s life.
And how you support them here?
👉 That’s what creates the calm, thoughtful, well-mannered dog you’re working toward.
Final Thought
Adolescence isn’t the phase where training falls apart.
It’s the phase where training becomes real life.
Stay consistent.
Stay observant.
And most importantly—
👉 Keep helping your dog learn how to think.
Ready for more support?
If you’re in or near Costa Mesa (Orange County), my Rambunctious to Well-Mannered Pup Training Program is designed specifically for this stage—so you’re not trying to figure this out alone.
Or if you prefer learning with you pup at home, my private in-home session program guides you step-by-step through exactly what to do in moments like these. Call me to discuss this option: 949-736-4765
Because you don’t need more random tips.
👉 You need a clear plan.
And I’ve got you.