120.During puberty, secondary sexual characteristics begin to blossom. Genetic imprinting such as territorial responses can also begin to surface. This is the time when mental discipline must be instilled as a basis for developing a sense of canine “morality.” Mentally challenging exercises, like distraction training, practiced often will help decrease response to genetics.
121.“I’ve never seen my dog do that before.” If owners could assign a slogan to this developmental stage of puberty, that would be it! Mental growth driven by genetic imprinting and hormonal influences will find fertile ground in a dog who is becoming more confident with sorting out these impulses. Many interesting behavior problems can surface in an otherwise “good dog” during this period.
Limitations
122.The adolescent stage is defined by questioning authority and boundaries.Your dog may have a solid grasp of the commands, and he might even be starting to self apply some of the patterns you have been teaching him. But remember, he is only beginning to understand right and wrong, and questioning these boundaries is normal. Answer his “questions” and breaches of boundaries with calm, onleash direction through commands. Your command system is your “yes and no,” “question/answer” communication system.
123.Maintaining the protocol until actual maturity (adulthood) is essential. The temptation at this stage is to remove the leadership protocol activities that have chauffeured your dog up to this point.Because your dog is not mature yet and is still questioning leadership and boundaries, he could slowly begin to backslide if you remove your leadership. Continual guidance without “intermission” will prevent your dog from seeing holes in your consistency
124.It is common to want to remove the training wheels of leadership when you see glimpses of good behavior. It is also common, however, to be deceived into thinking your dog is “grown up” mentally just because he is “grown up” physically. Fully developed bodies do not mean fully developed minds. Be aware of this tendency at this time and keep teaching.
125.Despite the fact that this stage seems like a long period of time (two and a half years) the imaginary “software” that determines how your dog behaves in society is being programmed and the “learning loop”is closing. The opportunity to fundamentally change your dog’s behavior will close sometime near the adult timeline. During the adolescent stage, true behaviors (positive ones) can be imprinted and behavior problems can be extinguished. After the “loop of learning” is closed, behavior problems can only be managed.
THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP FOR ADOLESCENT DOGS You direct them, or genetics will direct them! Very simply, dogs need leaders. If you do not tell them how to behave, their instincts will. Your leadership will help them listen to a more appropriate leader than their genetics—you! Parent or Friend? We all want to be friends with our dogs. We want that “man’s best friend” image of a boy and his dog. That will come after you’ve raised your dog well and he’s an adult. In these adolescent stages, however, it is most important to be his parent, leader, director, and guide. Leadership now ensures that your dog will correctly learn how to be a positive family member for the rest of his life.
126.Respect. Respect comes from how you work with your dog, how you guide him in real life, and how consistent you are in your teaching. Don’t fall into the “dominance trap” of leadership. You do not need to play “prison guard”to gain your dog’s respect. Gain his respect by being fair and consistent, not loud and demanding.
Direction now, freedom later. This is the stage of direction and leadership! The freedom your dog will gain in adulthood comes from your direction and leadership in the adolescent stages. More direction means better teaching, better learning, and better manners. Do your job well in these stages, and you will have to do less directing later and more enjoying!
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