Your 1-year-old puppy is kind of like a teen human. You’ve put a lot of hard work into their training so far, and they’ll make sure you keep working hard! At this age, some dogs may push back against some of the training they’ve already learned. You may notice them testing boundaries and practicing the fine art of “puppy eye” trickery.
While your puppy may seem like they’re less obedient, they may simply be more interested in interacting with their environment. Your dog might perceive that continuing to sniff that specific object outside is better than the reward they get for coming to you when you ask. They might decide that eating a forbidden object from the pantry is worth any fallout that results.
For some dogs at this age, you can also start to see frustration-elicited behavior. This means when a dog can’t perform a behavior they’re really itching to do, you might see some undesirable behaviors like repetitive barking, nipping or a resurgence of destructive behavior. Your dog should not regress in potty training—if you’re noticing this, it’s best to get a medical evaluation to rule out health conditions.
During this time, you may have to double down on training. Remember to use positive reinforcement only. Reward well, and reward often. You may need to improve either the frequency or value of the rewards you give. Consider introducing tasty new treats to keep things interesting. Make sure you’re incorporating activities that help your dog burn off energy, both physical and mental. If your dog isn’t spayed or neutered, it’s also a great time to revisit the topic with your veterinarian, as some of these behaviors may be hormone-driven.
Importantly, for most dogs, this is just a phase! With patience, positive reinforcement and proper enrichment, you and your teen dog will come out on the other side with your strong bond intact.
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