Puppy Care Guide

Week 23 – Understanding the Adolescent Phase

Around 23 weeks of age, your puppy enters adolescence — a stage much like a teenager’s puberty. Hormonal and emotional changes may temporarily affect obedience and mood, but with patience, it becomes a key growth milestone.

🧠 What Is the “Adolescent Stage” in Dogs?

Between 5 and 6 months, puppies begin testing limits and exploring independence. Even well-trained dogs may temporarily ignore commands or regress in house-training — not defiance, just development.

Ignoring known cues like “sit” or “wait”
Stubborn or selective listening
Minor house-training setbacks

🐶 Typical Behaviors During Adolescence

Stops Following Commands — Stay calm and consistent; patience beats strictness.
Pretends Not to Hear Their Name — Keep sessions short and rewarding to maintain focus.
Loses Appetite or Becomes Picky — Offer smaller, frequent meals or slightly warm food.
Becomes Sensitive or Irritable — More vocal or restless; reassure gently.
Shows Interest in Opposite Sex — Supervise walks and avoid off-leash encounters.

⚠️ Why This Stage Feels Challenging

Teething, curiosity, and boundary-testing combine here — chewing, ignoring recall, or rebellious play. Many families misread this as “bad behavior,” but it’s a normal learning phase. With guidance and empathy, your puppy will mature into a balanced companion.

How to Support Your Puppy Through Adolescence

1️⃣ Channel Excess Energy Productively

Daily walks with varied routes
Short obedience or fetch games
Puzzle toys and nose-work for mental exercise

2️⃣ Address Sensitivity and Aggression

Hormonal changes can make puppies defensive or reactive.

Avoid scolding or forced contact.
Redirect with praise for calm behavior.
Keep routines predictable for security.

3️⃣ Establish Household Rules and Consistency

All family members must enforce the same rules and commands.
Reward desired behavior immediately.
Use calm redirection, not yelling.

4️⃣ Keep Training Short and Encouraging

5–10 minute sessions reinforce focus without frustration. When tired or distracted, pause and resume later — consistency wins.

5️⃣ Maintain Emotional Connection

Beneath the attitude, your puppy is still your loving friend. Gentle affection and trust will shape a confident, loyal adult dog.

❤️ Additional Professional Tips

Consult your vet about spaying or neutering to manage hormones.
Encourage short, positive socialization with calm dogs.
Try enrichment like sniffing games or training classes.
Avoid harsh corrections or overexcitement.
Ensure 14–16 hours of sleep daily for hormone regulation.

🐾 Find Dog Training Programs

Want to take your puppy’s training to the next level? PetGo’s Dog Training section will feature step-by-step lessons, expert guidance, and personalized behavior insights to help your puppy grow with confidence.

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🐾 PetGo Reminder

Every puppy experiences adolescence differently — some sail through, others test your patience. Stay calm, be consistent, and remember: this phase is temporary. Your steady love will guide them into adulthood with confidence and trust.

Continue with PetGo’s Puppy Care Guide

Training and patience build lifelong trust — PetGo is here for every step of growing together.

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