ADOLESCENT REFRESHER

8 months to 2 years old and up…

Your dog’s behavior can change for a number of reasons:

• Never invested in basic obedience training for your puppy or dog

• Did not keep up with practicing basic obedience exercises after initial training

• There has been a change in the “animal-pack” structure, i.e. a new cat or a new dog

• You have moved or relocated to a different home

• There has been a change in the family structure, i.e. a new baby, a new child or a new spouse

• Your dog is going through adolescence (Anytime from 8 months to 2 years old)

• Leaving your dog too often for extended, long periods of time

• Not giving your dog sufficient daily exercise

All of these reasons and more can be the cause of a variety of behavior changes in your puppy or dog’s behavior. The important thing is to recognize these changes and to get help from a professional trainer right away. The sooner you address the issues, the more quickly you will see a successful outcome.

 

A puppy or dogs change in behavior may include:

• Barking
• Jumping Up
• Biting or Nipping
• Potty training issues
• Barking when crated
• Poor social or play skills (Biting, snarling or barking, pushing and shoving other dogs at play)
• Aggressive outburst on or off leash towards other dogs
• Short attention span
• No longer responding to recall
• Pulling, lunging, barking while on leash
• Mounting other dogs
• Resource guarding (guarding food/high value treats, toys, family members, outside of house/neighborhood)
• Running away or wandering off when off-leash

Many of these behavior problems are quite common at this stage of a puppy or dogs development. It is extremely important to address these issues right away so your puppy or dog doesn’t continue to practice and perfect them. Never hesitate to call for a quick refresher course!