Adolescent dog training usually becomes challenging from around six months old, depending on breed and size. I always explain it as their “teenage years” a phase where hormones surge, confidence grows, and suddenly everything you taught your puppy seems to disappear.

This stage can feel frustrating, but it’s completely normal. In my work offering adolescent dog training in Coventry, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth, I see the same challenges crop up time and again. The good news is that training isn’t lost. With consistency and patience, it comes back quickly. You just need to take them back to basics.

If recall is your dog’s biggest struggle during adolescence, you might also like my blog on teenage dog training and how to get your puppy listening again.

Adolescent dog training : What changes during adolescence?

At around six months, puppies start to push boundaries. One of my clearest memories is with Maisie at exactly that age. I asked her to sit in class, and instead she cheekily took three steps backwards and stared at me as if to say, “What will you do about it?” She repeated it when I asked again, my first reminder she’d hit her teenage phase.

Common changes include:

• Ignoring cues they previously knew well
• Recall regression — suddenly the world is more exciting than you
• Increased pulling on lead — they’re in a hurry to get to what they want
• More sniffing and marking — particularly with male dogs as testosterone increases
• Boundary testing at home — trying their luck with furniture, food, or greetings

Envy was easy at six months, but at a year she started pushing boundaries a lot more. Every dog is different, but almost all will show some signs of adolescence.

Why training feels like it’s gone backwards

Owners often tell me they feel like they’ve “broken” their dog. Training was working so well, and suddenly it isn’t. In reality, adolescence is a developmental stage — hormones, brain changes and new confidence all combine to test what works.

It’s also the most common age for dogs to be handed into rescue centres such as the RSPCA or Dogs Trust. Around eight months old, dogs often look “grown up” but behave unpredictably. Without support, owners can feel they’ve failed. But if you know this stage is coming, you’ll be far better prepared to handle it.

Common mistakes during adolescence

These are the biggest mistakes I see with adolescent dogs:

Letting rules slide — allowing pulling “just this once” or sneaking them onto the sofa when it’s normally not allowed.

Mixed cues — one family member says “down” for lie down, another says it to mean “off the sofa.” This only confuses the dog.

Stopping training altogether — giving up because they think it’s not working, when really it just needs refreshing.

Too much freedom, too soon — letting dogs off lead without a reliable recall, which quickly teaches them that ignoring you works.

What to focus on during adolescence

Foundations matter most at this stage. Focus on:

• Bond and engagement – make training rewarding so your dog wants to work with you.
• Back to basics – short, simple sessions with food rewards to remind them of behaviours.
• Management tools – long lines for recall, structured walks, and clear house rules.
• Consistency – everyone in the family using the same cues and sticking to the same rules.

Three tips for surviving adolescence

1️⃣ Go back to basics – if your dog acts like a puppy again, train them like one. Keep it simple and reward success.

2️⃣ Use a long line for recall – it keeps them safe while preventing bad habits from setting in.

3️⃣ Stick to household rules – decide as a family what’s allowed and what isn’t. Consistency avoids confusion.

Hope and encouragement

Adolescence is a tough stage, but it is just a stage. With patience, structure and training, it passes.

Maisie grew from that cheeky six-month-old into my calm demo dog. Envy came out of her boundary-testing phase as a confident worker. Many of my clients’ dogs have done the same, proving that this stage doesn’t last forever.

Final thoughts

Adolescent dog training can feel chaotic, but you don’t have to face it alone. With the right guidance, you can get through the teenage years and enjoy a calmer, more reliable dog on the other side.

I offer adolescent dog training through my Dream Dog Programme across Coventry, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth.
Book your free call today and let’s make life with your teenage dog easier.

Further information

• Puppy Development Stages
• Dream Dog Programme 
• RSPCA advice on training dogs
• Dogs Trust training support