top of page
Sandra Winfrey

The Adolescent Dog (4/4): Building a Strong Foundation for Lifelong Good Behavior

Welcome to the final installment of my series on adolescent dogs. Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored the changes, challenges, and triumphs that come with training an adolescent dog. This stage of your dog’s life is critical in setting the stage for their long-term behavior, so it’s important to focus on building a strong foundation now. In this post, I’ll be summarizing key points and strategies to ensure your adolescent dog grows into a well-behaved adult. The lessons you’ve learned so far, combined with consistency and patience, will help you and your dog navigate this journey with confidence.


Recap of the Adolescent Phase


The adolescent phase can be likened to the teenage years for humans. Your dog is still maturing physically, mentally, and emotionally, which means their behavior may sometimes seem erratic. One day they may follow every cue perfectly, and the next, it may feel like they’ve forgotten all of their training. This is normal! Understanding that this phase comes with its challenges is the first step in managing it successfully.


1. Reinforcing Good Behavior through Positive Reinforcement


Positive reinforcement remains the cornerstone of effective training.

The principle is simple: reward the behaviors you want to see more of. Whether it’s with treats, toys, or praise, make sure your dog understands that good behavior brings about good things.


When rewarding your dog, timing is everything. For instance, if your dog settles down calmly while there’s a distraction, reward them immediately. This reinforces the calm behavior rather than the previous excitement or impulsivity.


a happy beagle getting a treat
Positive reinforcement strengthens your bond and encourages desirable behaviors

Why it Matters


Using positive reinforcement strengthens the bond between you and your dog. This bond is essential not just for training but for your long-term relationship. Punishment, on the other hand, can create fear and anxiety, which is counterproductive during such a sensitive stage of development.


Tip: Use a variety of rewards - treats, toys, and praise work well, and they help keep your dog motivated.


2. Consistency Is Key


Training is an ongoing process, especially during adolescence when behaviors can fluctuate. Consistency helps solidify the cues you’ve taught and reassures your dog that the rules remain the same, even when they’re feeling rebellious or distracted.


a white older poodle sitting patiently at the open door
Consistency in training helps solidify your dog’s understanding of rules and expectations

It’s important to maintain regular training sessions and reinforce previously learned behaviors daily. This will help keep your adolescent dog’s skills sharp and provide a structure that they need during this chaotic developmental phase.


Practical Application:


For example, if you’ve taught your dog to wait at doors, don’t let them slip through the door without permission just because they’re excited. Consistently reinforce the wait cue every time.


3. Fostering Impulse Control


During adolescence, dogs are often full of energy and impulsivity. This can manifest in behaviors like jumping up on people, pulling on the leash, or even running off when they see something exciting. Teaching impulse control at this stage helps create a calmer, more focused dog who can think before they act.


Exercise 1: Wait for Permission


This exercise teaches your dog to pause and wait for your cue before going after something they want, such as food, a toy, or even going outside. Instead of using the common “okay” as a release, which can confuse your dog due to its frequent use in daily conversations, use the word “release” or “free.” This distinction makes it easier for your dog to clearly understand when they can move forward.


  • Start by having your dog sit in front of you.

  • Place a treat or toy left or right of you but just out of reach for them; hold it in your hand if your dog gets too excited.

  • Say “wait” while raising your hand with a flat hand up , creating a visual cue.

  • Wait for your dog to remain calm and still before giving the release cue (“release” or “free”) to take the reward.

  • Over time, increase either the duration, distance, or distraction (3D's Method) to build stronger impulse control. For example, increase the time they wait, add distance between you and your dog (while decreasing the distance to the reward for them), or introduce distractions like background noises, other toys/ food, or other animals. Play this game in different environments and on a walk.


You can find more detailed guidance on implementing these 3D's strategies in my 3D's worksheet.


Why This Works:


By reinforcing patience with rewards and slowly increasing the challenge, your dog learns that waiting leads to good things. This helps reduce impulsive behaviors in real-world situations, such as jumping on guests or running out the door without permission.


a blond woman in nature on a path and a border collie sitting in front of of her
Teach your dog to wait calmly and patiently for your release cue before moving forward


Exercise 2: Leash Walking with Distractions


Impulse control isn’t just about waiting for treats - it’s also about maintaining calm behavior during walks, especially around distractions. This exercise encourages your dog to focus on you rather than external stimuli, such as other dogs, squirrels, or loud noises.


  • Begin by walking in a low-distraction environment where your dog can easily focus on you.

  • Start teaching the “look at me” cue by having your dog check in with you during the walk. The initial steps are crucial:

    • Stand in the middle of an open space.

    • Without saying anything, throw a treat to the left side of your dog.

    • Once they eat the treat and re-engage with you by looking at your face, throw a treat to the right.

    • Repeat this until the dog naturally begins to check in with you after each treat, without you needing to call their name or use a verbal cue. This encourages them to offer attention willingly.


This exercise helps build a habit of checking in with you, especially in environments that can be distracting. Eventually, you can introduce more distractions, and the 3D's Method (duration, distance, distraction) will help build their focus. You can use this exercise every time when you start a walk to check your dogs focus capability of the day.


If your dog becomes overly excited or starts pulling, increase the distance from the distraction until your dog is calm enough to re-engage. Always reward them for staying focused and checking in with you.


Why It’s Important:


By training your dog to focus on you rather than external distractions, leash walking becomes more manageable, and your dog learns that checking in with you is rewarding. This exercise also sets the foundation for more advanced focus-based training.


puppy walking on leash looking up at human
Teach your dog to check in with you during walks, even in distracting environments

Predation Tendencies


If you notice your adolescent dog developing predation tendencies - such as showing interest in chasing small animals like rabbits or squirrels - this is the right time to address it. These tendencies are normal but can become problematic if left unchecked. Early intervention is key, and I offer a separate training course specifically designed for addressing predatory behaviors. We can work on redirection techniques that channel your dog’s focus back to you during walks or play, preventing problematic chasing behavior.


a small white dog trying to chase a squirrel
Early intervention helps manage predation tendencies in adolescent dogs, preventing unwanted chasing behavior

Continue with Socialization


While the critical period for socialization occurs in puppyhood, adolescent dogs benefit from continued exposure to new experiences. Adolescence is when dogs can become wary or anxious about unfamiliar situations, so it’s important to reinforce positive social experiences.


Ideas for Continued Socialization:

two Golden retrievers playing in grass
Regular socialization with new environments and dogs keeps your adolescent dog confident and relaxed

  • Sniff walks: Encourage your dog to use their nose in new environments. Allow them to take in new smells at their own pace, providing mental stimulation and confidence-building.

  • Controlled Playdates: Organize positive, supervised interactions with other dogs. This helps your dog maintain good social skills and remain comfortable around others.

  • New Environments: Introduce your dog to various environments such as parks, pet-friendly stores, or even quiet streets with different sounds and sights.


Key Takeaway


Adolescent dogs still need exposure to new environments to maintain their confidence and reduce the risk of anxiety in adulthood. Make sure these experiences are positive and reinforce calm behavior when introducing something new.


Mental Stimulation and Exercise


Adolescent dogs often have an excess of physical and mental energy, and channeling that energy into positive outlets is crucial. Engaging your dog in activities that challenge their brain can reduce destructive behaviors like chewing, digging, or barking out of boredom.


a dog sniffing in a snuffle mat
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for adolescent dogs

Activity Example

Puzzle toys, scent games, or teaching your dog new tricks can provide the mental stimulation they need. Scent work, in particular, is a fantastic way to engage their natural instincts while tiring them out mentally. A simple “find it” game where you hide treats around the house or yard encourages your dog to use their nose and stay engaged.


Why It’s Important


Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for adolescent dogs. It helps burn energy and keeps your dog engaged and focused, which can prevent frustration and boredom-related behaviors.


Preparing for the Transition to Adulthood


As adolescence begins to fade, your dog will soon transition into adulthood. The habits you’ve cultivated now - impulse control, focus, and social confidence - will become the foundation of their adult behavior. Keep reinforcing good behavior, continue providing them with mental challenges, and maintain consistent training routines.


It’s important to note that adult dogs often need continued mental stimulation and refreshers on impulse control. The work you’ve put in during adolescence will set your dog up for a lifetime of good behavior, but that doesn’t mean training ends. Much like humans, dogs benefit from continuous learning, even into adulthood.


Tip: Continue scheduling training sessions with a trainer even after adolescence. Regular sessions, even if brief, reinforce existing skills and offer opportunities for your dog to learn new ones. Also continue with simple exercises like “wait,” or more advanced mental stimulation through new skills, puzzle toys or new games.


a relaxed dog with 3 humans in the background
Impulse control training during adolescence helps your dog remain calm and focused, even during exciting situations

Real-life Scenario


As your dog matures, they may encounter situations that test their impulse control, such as greeting new visitors or resisting the temptation of dropped food. By maintaining the training foundation you’ve built, your dog will handle these challenges with confidence and grace. Set them up for success but don't forget to continue your training and give them new challenges.


Conclusion


Adolescence is a challenging but rewarding time in your dog’s life. By reinforcing positive behaviors, remaining consistent, and keeping their mind and body engaged, you’ll build a strong foundation that sets your dog up for a lifetime of good behavior.


If you’ve followed along with this series, thank you! I hope you’ve found these insights helpful as you navigate this critical stage with your adolescent dog. If you need any further guidance, feel free to reach out - I’m here to help.

Comments


bottom of page