The behavior of our adolescent dogs will naturally change and develop as they grow up, particularly when it comes to dog-dog sociability, responsiveness & manners, and conflict resolution strategies. Our Nature-Driven Nurture™ framework can support you and your dog through this sometimes-tricky stage of development.
We help you provide your adolescent dog with the experiences and education they need to stay safe, happy, and responsive through their “teenage” years:
Social Skills. Sociability toward dogs and people can change as your dog moves from puppyhood into adolescence. We help you adjust and adapt your dog’s play routines to ensure they still receive positive, age-appropriate experiences with others.
Responsiveness & Manners. It is natural for adolescent dogs to want to broaden their horizons, exercise their independence, and experiment with new behaviors. We help you with adolescent training and management strategies that focus on fun, engagement, cooperation and trust.
Conflict Resolution Strategies. Sometimes, adolescent dogs can begin to experiment with solving problems in a more “adult” manner – through behaviors like barking, snapping, growling, etc. We help you understand what’s a normal part of development, and what may benefit from behavior therapy interventions.
“During canine adolescence, the area of the brain that influences cognition, social behavior and decision making isn’t yet fully developed, and the part of the brain that influences arousal and reward-seeking behavior shows increased activity. Because of this, adolescent dogs may display behaviors similar to what we would expect to see in human teenagers – increased impulsivity, higher likelihood of risk-taking, difficulty regulating feelings, changes in social behavior, and more. Surviving adolescence means being aware of this stage of development, then being proactive about management and training to help our dogs navigate through it safely and successfully.”
As part of every Instinct program, we help you provide your dog with optimized, Nature-Driven environments, relationship dynamics, wellness routines, and learning experiences. When we meet our dogs’ needs as a species, a breed, and an individual, we set the stage for more effective learning, and for happier, more fulfilled, more responsive companions.
Behavior Therapy, Fear + Anxiety, Instinct East Harlem, Private Coaching, Senior Dog Support, Veterinary Behavior Collaboration
The first step is booking a kickoff consultation to start working toward your goals for your adolescent dog!
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Learn More About Our ServicesBehavior change science is a process. It can be applied to all breeds, ages, and behavior issues to create positive, life-changing outcomes for humans and their dogs.
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