I have a older GSD pup, not really old enough yet to be going through this stage. But I have been doing some reading and I want to be prepared when and if it happens. But I'm a little fuzzy on some stuff. Would you guys mind answering a few questions?

1.) Do all dogs go through this stage, or only some.
2.) Does the dominance level of the dog have any bearing on whether or not they go through this period?
3.) Does it manifest itself by not listening to commands or is it possible aggression? Or both? What would I notice about it?
4.) What's the best thing to be done about it, if it's not listening to commands, or growling or the like?
5.) How long does it typically last?
6.) Is it only in intact animals?

Sorry so many questions, but I've read so much conflicting advice and would like to know what to look for and how to handle it before it happens, if it happpens. Thank you!

Sara,
I posted a question back on May 31 regarding the "adolescent phase". I had some good responses.

I do not know how to put the "link" in for you to click on - maybe someone else can add it.

http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=134&Number=143441&Searchpage=1&Main=15224&Words=adolescent+phase&topic=0&Search=true#Post143441

Diane,

Is this the one you were talking about??

Carol,
Yes, that is the posting I was referring to. How do you insert the link like you did?

Thank you Diane and Carol! The link was helpful. So, if it happens it will usually be over around 2 years or so if it is handled correctly?
And am I correct in thinking that not all dogs go through it?

Still wondering about the answers to #s 2, 4 and 6 if anyone has them.

I'm assuming you would correct with a prong if there was an issue of not obeying commands, right?
And if there is an aggression situation, if he gets snappy or something, then would a dominant dog collar be appropriate? I know I've read on here that a prong correction could make it worse in that situation. Would a correction for non-compliance of a command possibly cause an aggressive response?

I'm asking all of this because my boy has dominant tendancies. I have been able to keep him in check so far without any real issues. But as he gets bigger-which he is almost daily-and more sure of himself, I know that it has to be a fight I can win. Hopefully, he'll never challenge me, but I get the feeling he will. Just want to be prepared, just in case. He's a great, great dog but very full of himself. Thanks again.

Sara,
I keep the dominant dog collar on Nickie 24 hrs a day. He is also on a drag line when he is out of the crate. He has a tendency to be "very full of himself" as you stated with your dog. Since he now weighs 72 lbs at 9 1/2 months old, I have to be able to correct him the instant there is an infraction.

This morning I got careless and did not put the drag line on him when he came out of his crate. When I put his food in the crate for him to eat, he backed off from me and barked and would not go in the crate. Since I knew I could not win that situation, (my fault as usual), I told him to sit. Then I got one of his favorite liver treats and threw it into the crate. He raced in to get it and I shut the door to the crate.

Know that was not the best possible situation, but knew that if I tried to grab his collar while he was sitting, he would just bolt around the room, being his usual playful self at 4:30 AM! Geez, not a great start to the day, but again, the problem was mine with not putting the drag line on him (plus him not being very good yet in obedience training!)

 Quote: diane joslin

Carol,
Yes, that is the posting I was referring to. How do you insert the link like you did?

When you are on the web page that you want to link, you copy and paste the address that's in the window in the toolbar up at the top of the screen. You see up in the toolbar as you are reading this, there's an address showing, that starts with http://www., etc." Copy that address and then paste it into your message where you want it to appear.

Then you can "preview" your post and click on that URL just to make sure you did it right.

 Quote: SaraMilliken

... I'm asking all of this because my boy has dominant tendancies. I have been able to keep him in check so far without any real issues. But as he gets bigger-which he is almost daily-and more sure of himself, I know that it has to be a fight I can win. Hopefully, he'll never challenge me, but I get the feeling he will. Just want to be prepared, just in case. ...

Have you seen this?
http://www.leerburg.com/dominantdogs.htm

I have read through many of Ed Frawley's articles on dominant dogs. But I didn't order the video because I assumed (mistakenly??) it was for dogs that were dominant AND aggressive, and so far Mikah hasn't gotten aggressie with anyone in the house. He hasn't growled or anything. He's just-pushy, I guess, if allowed to be, so we haven't allowed him to be and all has been okay. But I think that if we didn't follow the groundrules we could have trouble. He is a good hearted dog and hasn't done anything troublesome yet. He's just, I don't know, the kind of dog that nothing phases him and he just plows through life.

I am asking about the teenager period because I wasn't sure if that was the time at which dominance related aggression would show up or if it was only a matter of not listening to commands. I guess I should get the dominant dog dvd just in case! I just don't want to be caught unaware. Is it certain that he'll test me in this period or will the groundrules we've established keep that at bay?

Hi Sarah, my Ridgeback has always been a dominant guy. When he was young it was just pushy behavior, but when he hit adolescence (around 15-18 months) he started to display some aggression as well - not towards us, but towards some other male dogs, young ones primarily, and some people (including one guest in particular that we had had in our home multiple times before). We left him intact until he was 21 months and I definitely think that had an impact on the intensity of his behavior.

Were you asking about the intact status because your dog is/will be, or because he is altered?

I'm pretty sure all males go through a "tough" adolescent phase, but if they are left intact through it it's bound to be a bit more challenging (not impossible, but do be prepared). The fact that you already know you have a dominant dog means you'll need to be extra aware of the changes and ready to correct him. Whatever the case, it sounds like you have a great boy whom you love very much and work with diligently. Stay in step with him, keep reading and asking questions, and you'll be just fine.

~Natalya