Dogs reach adolescence at about 8 months and remain “juveniles” until they are 2 years old. And more dogs in that age group are relinquished to shelters than puppies or than almost all age groups combined from 2 through 15, according to a study in the Journal of Applied Welfare Science. Why? New research conducted by investigators in Britain suggests that just like human teenagers, dogs at that time of life are more apt to have conflict with their “parents.” Technically it’s called adolescent-phase conflict behavior.
The scientists found that dogs at least 8 months old were less likely to respond to the “Sit” cue than they were at 5 months — but only if that cue was given by their owners. They were fine with complying if someone else asked them to sit. (To anyone who has ever raised a teenager, sound familiar?)
Fortunately, the investigators cite other research on hundreds of dogs that suggests pets grow out of their defiant stage as they leave adolescence and enter adulthood. So if you have a dog who seems to have become more willful now that he or she has reached the age of 1, keep the faith. Things will get better.
Worth noting: the researchers found that puppies with weaker attachments to their human caregivers — more separation anxiety and anxiousness in general — were less likely to respond appropriately to cues in adolescence. In other words, you can attenuate adolescent non-compliance in dogs by forming a good, supportive bond when your pet is a young pup — always treating her with kindness as you bring her along and teach her the ropes of life in your home.
