Terrifying Teenage Dogs: Navigating the Puppy Rebellion
When Do Dogs Enter Their Teenage Rebellion Phase?
There is a significant difference in the timing of the teenage rebellion phase between large and small dogs. This is due to the fact that large dogs reach sexual maturity later than small dogs. Small dogs typically experience this phase between 4 to 16 months, while large dogs usually go through it from 10 to 20 months.
However! The onset of the teenage rebellion phase is not fixed, so every dog owner should pay close attention. Once a dog enters this phase, you may notice the following behaviors:
What Does a Dog's Teenage Rebellion Look Like?
The most common behavior is increased restlessness. Dogs in their teenage rebellion phase are often more active than before.
They may also exhibit more服从性排尿 and curiosity about new things. Many of you might recognize this as the reason why your once wellbehaved puppy has suddenly become quite mischievous. This is one of the characteristics of a dog entering its teenage rebellion phase.
Of course, the teenage rebellion phase doesn't just make dogs mischievous. As mentioned earlier, this phase is caused by sexual maturity, and during this time, dogs may become:
Less social, and even aggressive
Male dogs may become more interested in mating
Strangers to things they used to be familiar with
And other behaviors that seem out of the ordinary
More timid, or unusually bold
More destructive, and even more restless
Why Do Dogs Have a Teenage Rebellion Phase?
As we know, the teenage rebellion phase refers to a specific psychological period in human teenagers. Dogs' teenage rebellion phase is almost identical to that of humans, as it is also driven by hormones. The once docile puppy is beginning to transition into an adult dog.
It's also during this period that the dog becomes more sensitive.
What Should Dog Owners Do?
Firstly, do not force your dog to confront things it fears. If it's afraid of car honks, choose a quieter route when going out during this time.
Wrong Approach: Using violence will only leave a deeper fear of both the car and you in the dog's mind. Dogs won't understand your true intentions. They will think that their owner hitting them + car honking = both are scary.
Right Approach: You can reassure it by saying, "Look, this thing won't hurt you." While the dog may not understand what you're saying, it will quickly return to normal under your comfort.
Secondly, strengthen socialization training. During this special period, the more experiences the dog has, the more composed it will be in the future. This is why many dogs that play with other dogs from a young age grow up to have great personalities.
Without exaggeration, spending time with one dog during this period can be more effective than playing with five dogs later on.
During this time, the dog will gradually become more confident. Two male dogs might even fight over a female's scent, indicating that your little one is growing up.