Adolescent Gundog-breed Training

(Inc. mixed breeds)

 

One of the most common struggles that dog owners mention in social media platforms is the trouble that seems to start suddenly with a young dog and distractions - listening, a once perfected recall going to pot, the new independence the dog has found, all at around the onset of adolescence...

 

Undoubtedly, the dog has had too much freedom too soon, not always damaging, if there are rules, control, boundaries and structure applied, but that's not often the case.

 

.. 'Stable door and horse already bolted' comes to mind - so how can it be rectified? or are you in time to learn how to prevent some of the damage from occurring?

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Many responses suggest "find yourself a gundog trainer - they understand the breeds"

So that's no doubt why you are here.

 

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As with everything, there are always exceptions to the rules.. and your dog leaving puppyhood behind as he moves along the road to maturity can go barely unnoticed or it can be a trying time.

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It's a fantastic time for training ..motivate an adolescent and they'll give you 100% and more.. (unfortunately the environment around you is also incredibly motivational)

 

You may notice the

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- Increase in independence,

- The decrease in responsiveness - especially to previous training,

- Increased impulsivity

- & Increases in energy levels

- There may be a worsening of existing patterns (Destruction, reactivity, fear based behaviours, excessive barking, compulsive/obsessive behaviours etc)

The brain structure is continuing to develop and change during adolescence.

New neural pathways are made, and others become dormant, even ones used regularly.

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He may become more reactive, due to a few reasons, one of which being the inhibitory neurons of the amygdala, which don’t fully mature until the end of adolescence, (it's these that help to dampen down emotional responses)

 

Your young adult dog may become more sensitive to things, and be more pessimistic or cautious - this is because the extinction memory is impaired during this period, (which means your dog is more likely to create fear memories due to a perceived or real negative experience)

 

Your training may at times feel like one step forward & two back, due to a decrease in the communication between the frontal cortex and amygdala, (a key component for skills training)

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Hormones also play a part in the development and sexual maturity of a dog. For females this may be a season and potential subsequent phantom pregnancy, split seasons.. silent seasons.. these can result in behavioural changes.

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Males have the highest level of testosterone in their body than at any other time in their life and you may find your adolescent male starts to become more aggressive particularly towards other entire male dogs.