Training Adolescent Dogs (About 5-24 Months Old): A Guide for Pet Parents

It's never too late to teach your young dog good habits and improve their behavior

As a dog trainer, I often hear from pet parents struggling with their adolescent dog's undesirable behaviors (pups about 5-24 months old). The good news is that it's never too late to teach your young dog good habits and improve their behavior. In this blog, I'll share some tips and advice for pet parents looking to train their adolescent dogs.

(If you brought home a pup about 2-5 months old, check out my Puppy Training 101: What You Need To Know When You Bring Home A Puppy Program)

First and foremost, it's important to understand that adolescent dogs are in a crucial stage of development. During this time, they are rapidly changing physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. This can make training a bit more challenging, but with patience and consistency, you can help your dog grow into a well-mannered companion.

One of the biggest challenges pet parents face when training adolescent dogs is managing their energy levels. Adolescent dogs have a lot of energy, which can lead to destructive behavior and not listening. To help manage this energy, make sure your dog is getting enough physical and mental exercise each day. This could include walks, playtime, and interactive toys.

But with that being said, it's important to also proactively reinforce your pup for any calm behaviors. And you can even practice with games that teach them to relax and be calm.

Another important aspect of adolescent dog training is building a strong bond with your dog. This will help you communicate effectively with them and gain their trust. Take time to play with your dog, give them lots of positive reinforcement and rewards, and spend quality time together.

It's also important to be consistent with your training. Adolescent dogs need clear and consistent boundaries and rules to understand what is expected of them. Make sure everyone in the household is using the same cues and rewarding good behavior in the same way.

Finally, be patient and persistent with your training. Adolescent dogs may take a bit longer to learn new behaviors, but with time and consistency, they will get there. Don't give up if you encounter obstacles along the way. And remember that every dog is unique and learns at their own pace.

In conclusion, training adolescent dogs can be a bit challenging, but with patience, consistency, and a positive attitude, you can help your dog grow into a well-behaved and happy companion.

Don't let adolescent dog behavior control your life any longer. Take control of your dog's training and start your journey towards teaching your dog good habits and improve their behaivor.

Let me help you transform your adolescent dog. Our "From Rambunctious To Well-Mannered Pup Training Program is here to help! I will work with you to teach your young dog good habits and improve their behavior. Join me to do the hands-on work with your pup to:

walk without pulling
chew on their toys instead of the furniture
greet people without jumping
come when called
be potty trained
be less worried, less barky
calm themselves to relax
and much more

Learn more about the program here 👇