Don't Give Up on Your Pet - Pia S. (GuinnieGirl) Journal on ZooToo

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Don't Give Up on Your Pet

Posted by Pia S. (GuinnieGirl) in Behavior & Training

posted on:

Dec '08

11:02am

featuring:

Wasn't this for me?

Studies have shown that the majority of dogs relinquished to shelters are between the ages of 8 months to 2 years. Why? The dog simply hit a natural stepping stone in life to adulthood - adolesence. Yet, so many pet owners are unaware of this stage.

We, as shelter workers, need to educate people when we adopt puppies out. The juvenile stage starts at about 84 days followed by sexual (about six months) and behavioral maturity (one to two years). The behavior of their dog will change from immature to mature, and will fluctuate. This can be quite perplexing and frustrating to owners. If we outline to them what they can expect, we might help them keep their dogs or, at least, seek help.

1. Increase in Independence
2. Sexual maturity
3. Threats/aggressive actions.
4. "A mind of his own."

In other words, adolescent dogs are unpredictable, undependable, and untrustworthy. But we love them anyway!

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7 comments found.

Posted by gailsplace@verizon.net G. (oneminimomto4)
11 months ago

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It's not just the shelters that see this problem.Rescues see it a great deal too.That cute little puppy morphed into a bratty adolescent that they can't/won't/don't have time to deal with and he/she must be gone tomorrow.Many of the problems they created with the animal.

Posted by Pia S. (GuinnieGirl)
11 months ago

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Great point, Gail. But, I am biased to the people that I work with - - like you!

Posted by Courtney H. (LifesRuffK9)
11 months ago

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Great Point Gail!! I used to be very involved with Rottie Rescue. I would have to say 90% or more were males between the ages of 6-14 months.
Adolescence sure can be tough.
If you do the right things and stick with it, you can breathe a sigh of relief to a job well done when your dog gets out of that stage of life.
For me I cracked open a bottle of wine and threw a party when my last dog finally was mature. I am still not totally convinced mature and Frenchie go in the same sentence, he he.

Posted by tedmc54
11 months ago

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My "forever" dog Patches is a rescued English Springer Spaniel/Border Collie mix. We got him thru PetSmart at around 3 months and he has never stopped barking. We think he was originally given to a very old gentleman as a present and he proved too excitable and too much to handle. Patches along with our other just acquired dog Libby (ESS) were treated just as "pets" in the family with some training and lots of love but at a minimal work effort on the family's part (2 adults; 2 teenagers). Surprise, surprise that at around 2+ years Patches "cute" barking morphed into deeper inter-dog and inter-people concerns. An attempt a retraining with Patches led us to a long term commitment with the Feisty Fido program at St. Huberts. I am a committed and active supporter of this training program and as well of the the other offerings at St. Huberts.

Posted by Pia S. (GuinnieGirl)
11 months ago

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And, I can vouch for that. Job well done, my friend. Pia

Posted by Gleb S. (Carrot)
11 months ago

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I can relate to the barking issue easily. Our Aussie Carrot has started barking 2-3 months ago (she is 1 year old). It was tough at the beginning but with the help of Pia and her wonderful program Feisty Fidos at St. Huberts in Madison NJ we are getting slowly to calm down. For us, I think, it is all based on Carrot's frustration and little patience. Giving her waht she wants in a supervised fashion helps.

Posted by Carolyn C. (CarolynCurrey)
11 months ago

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We adopted our dog Webster when he was 8 months old. His adolescence was a rocky time but good training at St. Hubert's helped immensely. Now approaching 9 years old, he's actually a pleasure to have around.