What’s The Difference Between Adolescent Dogs vs. Adult Dogs? – Phoenix Scottsdale AZ Dog Training – Dog Trainer – Behaviorist
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Sam Basso
PHOENIX , AZ AREA: (602) 708-4531
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Adolescent Dogs Are Goofy: Anyone that has owned a trained, well socialized, intact dog, especially a male, adolescent dog quickly can learn what a pain in the neck they can be. And then, the same dog eventually becomes an adult, and becomes a great dog. How is it that a trained dog can still be a hassle to manage? What is the primary difference between an adolescent and adult dog?
The Bond: During adolescence, there is a loosening of the bond between the dog and the dog’s family. That family is every animal and person the dog has grown up with and lives with. It is at that time when the young dogs, especially the intact males, will fight for dominance. In a natural setting, the loosening of those bonds does a couple of things. First, it relaxes the younger dogs inhibitions to challenge authority. Older dogs “know” this is happening, so they begin to treat the younger dog differently. The younger dog is now becoming a social competitor, and is no longer a puppy to be cared for. Second, it opens the door for the younger dog to leave the pack and form another pack. If the bonds didn’t loosen at this time, the younger dog wouldn’t be able to leave the pack, and the older, stronger adults would kill him.
Aggression And Fights: It is therefore no wonder why adolescent dogs are more likely to get in fights. It is also why we see more dog fights with younger, intact male dogs at off leash parks, and why intact dogs of both genders are typically banned from doggie daycares. Intact dogs will compete for breeding rights within the group, even if the other dogs are spayed or neutered.
The Solution: Adolescent dogs are goofy and don’t listen to you very well. It seems so strange… here, you had this well behaved dog at 8 months of age, and now at 12 months of age, the dog is a loose cannon. By the time the dog is 18 months, your dog has challenged a few other dogs, and maybe even gotten in some fights. Many dogs are then given away or put down. That is a terrible shame. The solution is to continue the training and proper management of the dog, continuing socialization around other dogs using better methods to prevent fights, letting the dog grow up out of that phase, and NOT GIVING UP. There is no training program that can turn an adolescent dog into an adult dog. Only biology can do that over time.
Sam Basso is a professional dog trainer and behaviorist, in the Phoenix/ Scottsdale metropolitan area. He’s known for being fun, kind, intelligent, and humane. Sam Basso has a unique personal touch. He has appeared on his own TV show, been a guest radio expert, gives seminars, publishes a dog related blog, does rescue volunteering, and is active in promoting animal welfare and fair dog laws.
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