Understanding the Juvenile Dog

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Dogs in this stage are said to be testing the rules and seeing what they can get away with. The juvenile period in dogs has not been well studied scientifically, but it's known that dogs are becoming more self-reliant and independent at this age. Puppies are born very dependent on their mother, but as they grow, they begin learning to make their own way. As their independence increases, their caregiver becomes less and less the center of the universe. Instead, their environment becomes more interesting and more physically accessible to them, thus they are more easily distracted and less reliable in response to requests you make, such as cues you taught early on (for example: sit, down, stay).

High levels of activity, playing and chewing characterize this period. Dogs are making the change from immature behavior to adult behavior. Consequently, their behavioral responses may be inconsistent from day to day, and they begin to misbehave in ways that they have not since they were much younger. These behaviors are not malicious rebellion, but normal development and maturation. As the pet parent, you need to learn to respond accordingly, you can properly supervise and control your juvenile, and give him more freedoms as his behavior becomes more consistent.

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