If your dog is between 5 and 18 months of age, he is just experiencing the ups and downs of the teenage years. His bad behavior probably appears as a result of this rebellious phase and his need to test your boundaries. Dogs tend to bury their pain, but their behavior will sooner or later reveal hidden emotions.
Sudden behavior changes in your dog can be concerning, whether it's an aversion or fear of something they used to enjoy — think rough-housing with other dogs or daily trips to the local dog park — or a new habit that's appeared out of the blue, like barking out the window or guarding their toys.
Causes of bad or destructive behavior in dogs can be many, ranging from boredom to malnutrition to injury or illness. Sometimes we send the wrong signals, thinking we're doing the right thing. For example, if your dog is growling or barking at another dog, you may try to pick them up or pet them.
Your dog misbehaving is not necessarily a health issue. A lapse in house training may be cause for concern and an examination by your veterinarian may be needed. Otherwise, misbehavior is generally caused by your dog's inability to properly express themselves about their uncertainties, boredom, or anxieties..
Health issues that can change your dog's behavior include arthritis, hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, sore teeth, thyroid problems, epilepsy/seizures, ear infections, digestive issues, skin or environmental allergies, yeast infections, hearing loss, eyesight loss, and cancer.
Like humans, dogs go through a rebellious “teenager” phase (around 5 months to 18 months). During this time, they'll often test their owners, seeing what they can get away with. Being firm and consistent with your training will help establish boundaries.
Your puppy will likely have bouts of naughtiness throughout their first year, but after 12 months of age, your puppy will calm down.
Punishment is not a good method to correct misbehavior. By preventing problems through confinement or supervision, providing for all of the puppy's needs, and setting up the environment for success, punishment should never be required.
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.
Stage 5: Adolescence (6 – 18 months) This can be the most difficult time during a puppy's development – adolescence. Your cute little puppy is becoming a teenager and will start producing hormones which may result in changes in behaviour.
Approximately 35% of owners and trainers voted 8-9 months as the toughest age citing new challenging behaviors associated with their puppy's now larger size such as pulling on the leash or counter-surfing.
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.
The most common aggressive puppy behaviour warning signs include snarling, growling, mounting, snapping, nipping, lip curling, lunging, dominant body language/play, challenging stance, dead-eye stare, aggressive barking, possessiveness, and persistent biting/mouthing.
The “puppy blues” refers to an emotional state of feeling overwhelmed, sadness, anxiety, or regret that many people experience after bringing home a new dog.
Researchers from Michigan State University (MSU) found that puppy personalities change quite a bit as they leave adolescence. “When humans go through big changes in life, their personality traits can change.
First, stop your dog in the act of whatever he's doing, then give him a different, pet parent-approved option. For example, if you walk into a room and notice him chewing your shoes or hairbrush, swiftly tell him "No!" and take the item out of his mouth. Once your dog is calm, present him with an actual chew toy.
Your pooch needs to be trained with love and compassion. New research suggests that adversely training, e.g. yelling at, your dog could cause long-term psychological harm. Dogs that had undergone adverse training methods were found to have higher cortisol levels in their saliva and displayed more stress behaviors.
Things You Should Know
Avoid shouting at or physically punishing your puppy, since this will lead to behavior issues in the future. Consistency is key when it comes to enforcing rules and boundaries with your puppy. Withhold treats, use time outs, and ignore bad behavior to encourage your puppy to behave properly.
The “Witching Hour”
Many owners find that 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. bring out the worst in their puppies! If you know that a particular time of day prompts crazy biting, do your best to manage/prevent the behaviour and engage your puppy otherwise.
Growth stage: By one year
By the time they're one year old, dogs should be making progress in learning of all the polite behaviors they will need for the rest of their lives.
The puppy witching hour is a time of day when the dog has a short and sudden change in energy level or behavior. The witching hour can occur in any dog of any age. During the witching hour, your dog may run zoomies around the house, and show bad behavior such as stealing your shoes, jumping, or barking.
From 1 to 2 Years
Congratulations! Your dog has graduated from puppyhood. As your puppy nears age one (up to two years for a large breed), they're beginning to look and act more mature. They will probably still be playful, but now they've learned the ropes and are much better at following the rules.