Back to knowledge

Behaviour

Getting through your dog's teenage phase

Your young dog suddenly ignores you and acts wild? His brain is going through major rebuilding right now. Why that's normal and how to stay calm.

Somewhere between about six months and one year, the obedient puppy often turns into a little rebel. Suddenly he barely listens, is constantly distracted and seems like a different dog. It's not bad intent, it's a completely normal phase: your dog is hitting puberty.

A building site in his head

During this time, your dog's brain is being thoroughly rewired. Emotions boil over faster, curiosity grows, and listening gets harder. Right now your dog often simply can't do what he already managed as a puppy. How intense this phase is varies from dog to dog.

Register for free to read the whole article

Create your free DOGSY account and read the full article – plus the whole DOGSY app all about dogs.

Register for free

Already with us? Log in

More articles

Behaviour

Puppy licence: does it apply with people too?

The «puppy licence» is something people talk about between dogs – what the idea means for contact with people, and what it does not mean in law.

Behaviour

The first meeting: two people, two dogs

Two people, two dogs, one first meeting: with the right place and a little patience, you're off to a good start. And if in doubt, you simply stop.

Behaviour

Reading your dog's mouth

Loosely open or tightly shut? Your dog's mouth alone can tell you how they're feeling. Here's how to look properly.

Behaviour

Take warning signs seriously before things boil over

Before a dog snaps or bites, he almost always warns you, quietly at first, then more clearly. Here's how to spot the signs early enough.

Behaviour

Calming signals: your dog's quiet messages

Licking their nose, turning their head away, yawning: with quiet signals like these, your dog tells you something is getting too much. Here's how to spot them.

Behaviour

Reading your dog's ears

Pricked forward, turned to the side or pinned right back: your dog's ears show you how they're feeling. Here's how to read them.

This article is no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY editorial team.