Adolesent Phase
#143441 - 05/31/2007 10:09 AM |
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Sometimes I see "adolescent phase" mentioned in different postings.
Approximately what age would this be?
Does it vary depending on the size and breed of the dog?
What types of behavior should I be on the lookout for?
I feel that we are finally starting to get a handle on our pup but want to be prepared ahead of time and know what to expect. Nickie is 9 months old and at least 70 lbs (bullmastiff/pitbull mix). We have the Puppy DVD, the Basic Obedience DVD, and the Aggressive/Dominant Dog DVD.
I walk him a mile each day and we work on his basic obedience several times a day in very short sessions. We also practice "nothing in life is free". He is crate-trained and never loose in the house unless on a drag line. When he is outside playing fetch with us he is always on his prong collar and drag line.
Thanks for any replies!
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Re: Adolesent Phase
[Re: Diane Joslin ]
#143466 - 05/31/2007 01:31 PM |
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Some dogs do mature at different speeds, but most of the time this comes about between 12-20 months old. The dog is maturing, and trying to test boundries. For my male GSD, it manifested itself a few times when I gave a command that he knew, he understood it, and then he made a conscious decision not to follow it. He was testing me, to see what he could get away with. It sounds as if you are doing everything you should be doing in order to handle if it should arise. NILF and not giving commands you cannot enforce takes care of it, and you are already there.
John
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Re: Adolesent Phase
[Re: John J. Miller ]
#143469 - 05/31/2007 02:52 PM |
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I agree with John. Diane, it sounds like you are doing an excellent job on how you are raising Nickie. Keep it up!
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Re: Adolesent Phase
[Re: Alex Corral ]
#143471 - 05/31/2007 03:01 PM |
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Thanks Alex!
There have been several times when we have wanted to give up and try to find him a new home (I recently posted a notice in the vet's office "free to good home" but not a single call so I guess it's meant to be that he's ours for life!).
He is definitely a challenge for two older people who have never trained a dog from an 8-week old puppy! Also the fact that my husband got tangled up in his leash last month while Nickie was out in front of the house pulling very hard and hubby fell and broke his hand!
So, this web site is a life-saver for us as well as Nickie!
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Re: Adolesent Phase
[Re: Alex Corral ]
#143473 - 05/31/2007 03:17 PM |
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I agree as well. Will add - in addition to "testing you" by not listening to commands or being stubborn, adolescence may cause your boy to display some crazy, not like himself behavior - particularly in the direction of protectiveness, defensiveness or even aggresssion. Beginning at about 15 months, our boy started to become very leary of strangers, would get very upity about new people coming to our house, and started behaving very protectively over me and my things (which he considered his things). You need to be ready to correct this IF it starts to happen.
It sounds like you are doing all that you should to maintain leadership and control over this guy, but be aware that growing up can change his attitude about and tolerance for all kinds of things that he used to be fine with, not just his responses to you. He may stay completely level headed, but don't be surprised if he throws you some curve balls out of the blue (obviously you're anticipating SOMETHING, or you wouldn't have started the thread :grin
Good luck with him!
~Natalya
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Re: Adolesent Phase
[Re: Natalya Zahn ]
#143474 - 05/31/2007 03:24 PM |
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Diane,
One thing I think you should know as well, is that if you stay on him (training, socialization, training, socialization - you get the idea) for the next year or so you will have a great dog for the next ten or more years (hopefully). At two years of age, if the proper training has been done, they really do settle down and get significantly better. There is light at the end of the tunnel, hang in there!
John
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Re: Adolesent Phase
[Re: Diane Joslin ]
#143475 - 05/31/2007 03:25 PM |
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There have been several times when we have wanted to give up and try to find him a new home (I recently posted a notice in the vet's office "free to good home" but not a single call so I guess it's meant to be that he's ours for life!).
He is definitely a challenge for two older people who have never trained a dog from an 8-week old puppy!
Diane, I know this was in response to Alex, but given your delicate situation with Nickie (as in not sure you wanted to keep him) I hope I didn't spook you at all with my post including a warning on possible aggression. I was just speaking from experience and wanted you to keep your eyes on him - there's no guarantee that he'll act out badly, especially with all the great training your giving him... just had to add my 2 cents.
*I'm really impressed that you and your husband took on such a sizeable and strong willed dog - AND that you're doing such an exemplary job working with him, you have my total respect!
~Natalya
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Re: Adolesent Phase
[Re: Natalya Zahn ]
#143483 - 05/31/2007 04:46 PM |
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Natalya,
No, you didn't spook me with your warnings - just wanted to know what may be coming at us around the bend, so to speak!
We had 10 years of experience with our dog Buster who died last November - he was a pitbull (mixed with what we were not sure since we adopted him from off the street at around a year old). He was also a handful (knocked me down accidentally and dislocated my shoulder the second week we had him!).
However, he turned out to be a real sweetheart and couch potato! Since we did not have him from a pup, we are not sure what the transitional stage will be like (from young pup to teen to adult).
Thanks to all for your advice - I read this forum each and every day without fail!
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Re: Adolesent Phase
[Re: Diane Joslin ]
#143562 - 06/01/2007 01:40 PM |
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Just wanted to add my adolesence experience with my pup. Maverick is 11 months old now and has recently started testing his boundaries.
The other night he was out playing in the backyard and started barking at some kids running past our fence (we have a small park behind our house).
My husband went out to stop him and bring him inside and he got all wild and bewitched...barking directly at him and running away from him, scampering about. He saw it as a game. Would not listen to recall at all.
I then came out and saw what was happening and called Maverick in to me, he came right away. So I rewarded him with lots of praise.
My husband got very mad about the whole situation. We work so hard on his obedience and for him to disregard commands was a bit frustrating.
Did we handle this properly? Should I or my husband have corrected him after the incident? He did come when I called...?? How much lenience do you grant for just wild puppy stuff?
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Re: Adolesent Phase
[Re: amy_daws ]
#143567 - 06/01/2007 03:18 PM |
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Amy,
I hope the other folks with more experience than me will answer your questions. I know exactly what you mean by "wild puppy stuff!"
Before we kept a drag line on Nickie out in the yard, he was impossible to deal with. Now at least you can grab the drag line and correct him (for leaping up at us or slamming into us from the back) - seems like he thinks everything is a game! Recently when I was getting ready to leave for work in the morning, I went to put him in his crate and he made a quick detour past the crate door - then it was a game with him running through the house just out of my reach.
Actually, I only tried to grab him twice, then went into the kitchen for his yummy treats. Made him sit for one, then tossed one in the crate - at that point, I didn't give him any correction - felt like it was a "handler error" for not having him on a drag line, not paying close enough attention when putting him in the crate, not having the recall command properly taught, etc. etc.
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