The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
Just when you may feel like you have hit your stride, the next big “difficult period” shows up! Many owners are totally blindsided by this next phase. It can vary a bit based on each dog, but your puppy likely will hit “adolescence” around 7-10 months, with 8-9 months being the peak described by most owners.
Around the 4-5 month age pups get quite naughty (cheeky), they have worked you out by now and know how to get around you and they begin to ignore your instructions. At first it can seem funny but it soon wears thin.
18. When Puppies Mature and Settle Down. Puppies typically develop the emotional maturity and temperament of an adult dog between twelve and eighteen months of age, although they may continue to occasionally exhibit puppy behavior like chewing and nipping until they're about two years old.
Chewing, teething and general destruction
One of the biggest frustrations new puppy owners should be ready for is not knowing what clothing, furniture, plants and other household items are going to last through the first months or year of having a new puppy. This is perhaps where your patience will be tested the most.
A shelter or rescue might be able to take your puppy off your hands, or allow you to keep your puppy as a foster until they can help you find a new home for them. Shelter and rescues have networks of potential adopters and usually have protocols to ensure that your puppy is going to a good home.
normal. It's OK to feel scared – everyone does. New owners worry about whether their puppy is healthy and happy, whether they are doing things right, and ultimately if they are going to be any good at being a dog owner. You are out of your comfort zone and everything is new so these feelings are totally natural.
In dogs, it can start any time between six and 12 months and can end between 18 and 24 months. During this time, there are dramatic hormonal changes and a reorganisation of the brain.
Not a Puppy Anymore: 12 to 18 Months
Most dogs reach their emotional maturity between 12 and 18 months and have the temperament and personality they'll have through adulthood. In general, smaller breeds mature sooner, while larger breeds can take longer to reach both physical and emotional maturity.
While the timeline varies from dog to dog, the terribles often hit around 6 months of age and can last until they are anywhere from one to two years old. My puppy Sprout was 7 months old when I first began to see her 'rebellious' side emerge, and she is definitely in the thick of things now at 10 months old.
6 Months - 1 Year Old
Your puppy should know all of their basic commands and have a solid foundation of potty training, crate training, and socialization. From this point on, you will continue to work with your puppy to reinforce what they have already learned!
As puppies age, they grow more independent, and by 6-12 months you may notice your once obedient pup is developing some unwanted behaviors. Don't worry, some simple training tips will help you both get through these growing pains.
Labrador Retriever takes the crown
The Labrador Retriever earned the crown as the “naughtiest” breed. Traditionally, people know this popular dog for its friendly and outgoing nature. Yet, it seems that the breed's strength and energetic spirit could sometimes steer them into less desirable behaviors.
Generally, puppies start to calm down when they reach emotional maturity — around 1 year old. However, some dog breeds take longer to reach adulthood and emotional maturity.
A 3-month-old puppy can learn boundaries and good manners, potty training, and basic commands. They're also learning to love you—this is when the bond between you and your pup is solidified.
Puppies are just baby animals that need to learn the ropes of life and what you expect of them in the future. The first several months in a puppy's life can be overwhelming, but eventually, it will get easier.
Stage 3: Socialization Period (3 – 12 weeks)
This is the most important stage of a puppy's development. It is vital to understand this stage as most puppies go home to their new parents between 7 – 12 weeks. During this period, changes start to occur rapidly.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
Generally, most puppies will start to settle between 6 - 12 months, but as mentioned above there are a few other factors that can impact puppy energy levels. Some might say that female dogs are calmer dogs due to the fact they mature quicker than males, however a more impactful factor to consider would be their breed.
The Brat Stage starts at about 4 months and runs until about 6 months, and it's during this time your puppy will demonstrate even more independence and willfulness. You may see a decline in his urge to please you – expect to see more “testing the limits” type of behaviors.
Puppies obtain bad habits by being given love and affection constantly, which they need, but can also keep them from learning good habits. Like a baby, when they cry, they may need feeding or change, but other times they may simply want to be held.
The one thing to keep in mind is that in most cases puppy blues is only temporary. It probably doesn't feel like it, but puppy blues tend to fade away somewhere between a few weeks and a few months until you can barely even remember having felt overwhelmed. Give it time.
Not knowing what's normal for your dog at its age and stage of development, as well as not knowing how to deal with issues like barking or resource guarding, can make you feel lost. Whether you have a puppy or a new dog, all the things you don't know can start to feel overwhelming and take up a lot of mental energy.
As a last resort, you may be able to surrender your pet to a local shelter or rescue organization. Each agency may have a different process for surrendering a pet to their care; learn more by visiting their website or by calling ahead.
This adjustment period rarely lasts for more than two weeks. Here are a few things you'll need to know to welcome the latest addition to your family. Please be patient with your dog. Most of us have an idea of some ideal dog in our mind and when reality doesn't match the dream, we can lose our patience.