Teen Training (10 Months - 2 Years)
Is your teen dog driving you nuts?
Do you want to ensure your new puppy gets off to a great start?
Feeling overwhelmed, like nothing you do is making a difference?
We’ve got the puppy solutions for you!
;)
Teen Training Objectives
Our teen training packages are thoughtfully designed to balance basic manners and choice-based learning. All dogs want to do things that are reinforcing. However, just like human teenagers, it might seem like all your hard work got tossed out the window. We are here for you and your teen with solutions to take the pressure down a notch and remind your teen about all the good things they already know, plus lots of new and helpful skills to ease into adulthood.
Building a Connection
Your teen dog is going through many changes that can affect its ability to focus on you. We have loads of fun, interactive training games that put you back in your dog's vision so that new learning can take place.
More Than Basic Manners
With personalized training, your teen dog can excel at daily life situations: the doorbell ringing, a sit stay so you can take care of things without Fido all over you, how to politely say hi to a guest, and so much more! We cover the basic foundation skills but start to take it up a notch.
Loose Leash Walking
The sweet days of your puppy following you as you walked might be gone. Now you have a full-energy teen who has other plans. But, walks don’t have to be war of wills. We have lots of positive ways to regain focus and those dreamy days of loose leashed. We've got this!
Testimonials
Mariah did all our puppy training and is now helping us through our boxer’s teens (lord help us!). I thought we were done with training, but when Braxton turned 15 months, I thought I might have to re-home him. He was literally bouncing off the walls, barking at every little sound, and starting to cause issues with my neighbors. We called Mariah back out, and she quickly got us back on track. Thank goodness we now know what our Braxton needs, and I have my sanity back.
Braxton’s Humans - Phoenix, OR
How It Works
Getting Started
We start every training plan with a free 20-minute discovery call, followed by a paid one-hour consultation.
Individualized Solutions
After choosing your training objective, you can select between private coaching sessions and day training sessions.
Let's Train!
Once you receive your customized training program you're ready to schedule your first training sessions!
FAQ
What’s the age range of a teenage dog? It feels like it will never end.
In general, smaller dogs complete this phase sooner than larger dogs, but the adolescence period is around 6 months to 2.5 years. Like human teenagers, dogs undergo significant physical and mental development during this time. Knowing this is a phase is essential and can help you navigate it. It doesn’t last forever, but hiring a certified trainer who understands developmental periods and can provide answers will be considerable support.
Why are there so many teenage dogs in the shelters?
As dogs transition from puppy to adult, they experience adolescence much like young humans do. Their hormonal changes can leave you wondering if it’s too much to handle. Did you know that 30% to 50% of dogs in shelters are teenagers? As dogs reach sexual maturity, elevated testosterone and estrogen levels can lead to behaviors many dog parents may not have expected or been prepared for. However, this phase does not last forever. With the guidance of a good trainer, you can navigate this stage with insights and strategies that will help you reconnect with your teenage dog, allowing you to reach adulthood while maintaining your sanity successfully.
My teenage dog acts as if he has forgotten all the training he received as a puppy. What happened?
This is due to changes in brain development that make them more easily distracted and less responsive. It is a temporary phase, but consistent training is essential. I refer to this phase as the “data entry” period. It might feel like you are continuously tossing pennies into a well without ever reaping the rewards of a dog who “listens.” However, it takes time for a dog's biology to navigate this period and emerge on the other side with maturity and training coming together for a more stable dog than you had hoped.
It feels like I've gone from the best puppy ever to a baby T-Rex. Will I get my sweet dog back?
Teenage dogs often struggle with self-control, leading to issues like jumping, barking, chewing, counter surfing, and everything your sweet puppy never used to do. But now your baby T-Rex has taken over. Training exercises that reinforce focus and calmness are always a great way to remind your dog that engaging with you is rewarding and can help you ride out this phase of hormonal shifts in your dog. The important thing is to stay consistent, try your best to set up your environment so your dog can succeed, and approach the challenges as teaching opportunities. Things won’t change overnight, but you will get there sooner than you think.