It’s been more years than I care to count since I raised a puppy. That’s why I relied on research, trainers, and dog-loving friends to help me navigate life with the three-month-old mixed-breed pup I adopted from the animal shelter in late 2024, four months after we lost our beloved Sasha.

I confess those first months were a volatile mix of perseverance, patience, and What was I thinking? moments. As we approached her first birthday, though, I assumed the most challenging time was behind us, and looked forward to sharing our lives with a happy and well-trained dog.

What I’d conveniently forgotten was that puppies don’t just leap straight into adulthood. As AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Breanne Long explains:

The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but may begin when he’s about eight months old and continue until he’s two years old.

While specific timelines may vary, there seems to be general agreement about common behaviors and attitudes that appear during the adolescent phase. Here are a few of the most common we’ve seen with Penny:

Decreased obedience:  Few things can be as frustrating as an adolescent dog that demonstrates selective listening and ignores your commands, or one who acts as though they never learned even the most basic skills. (I confess: there are days when I question why I ever spent $$$ on obedience training for Penny.)

Boundary testing: During this phase, it’s common for adolescent dogs to push against established limits and rules. Trying to control the pace or change direction when you’re out walking are examples of testing limits. Indoors, they might try to grab forbidden items. Penny knows tissues and cat food are on the “Not yours, don’t take” list–a list she apparently considers irrelevant.

Increased energy: Hyperactive behavior and a decreased ability to manage impulses can be common among adolescent dogs. Impulsivity can also lead to excessive barking and annoying behaviors like jumping up, scratching, and nipping. (Penny approaches all of these as if they’re an Olympic sport.)

The fear phase: As the site ManyPets notes, pups in the teen phase may start to fear things they were previously comfortable with. Penny is afraid of the dark–something we’d never noticed until recently. She reacts by refusing to venture into dark rooms or spaces unless one of us is with her. For other dogs, common reactions to fear may include barking, growling, or even hiding.

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Visit these sites to learn more about the adolescent dog and ways to help manage their behavior:

Team ManyPets: Navigating the Dog Teenage Phase.

Adolescent Dogs: Teenage Troubles: Surviving Adolescence.

Veterinary Behavior Specialties of Minnesota: From Cute to Chaos: Understanding Your Adolescent Dog.

Here’s an important reminder from The Whole Dog Journal:

The teenage months are often a dreaded stage in a dog’s development; many dogs are given up to shelters or rescues during this phase because they are destructive or out of control. But adolescence doesn’t have to be terrible. In fact, it can be an exciting and fun time. As with their human teenage counterparts, adolescent dogs can be energetic, playful, full of curiosity, enthusiastic about learning, and ready for just about anything. These following tips will help you not only survive your dog’s adolescence, but also help you both thrive as you travel through this challenging age: Ways to Manage an Adolescent Dog

The good news: The adolescent phase is a normal part of canine development. With time, continued training, increased exercise–and a whole lot of patience on your part–you can help your pup navigate through this turbulent period and become a joyful companion.