Young Dogs: Understanding Development, Adolescence, and Everyday Life

What does "young dog" mean?

The term "young dog" refers to the developmental stage between puppyhood and adulthood—roughly from 6 months to about 18 to 24 months, depending on the breed and size. During this phase, the dog goes through adolescence, which involves hormonal changes, neural maturation, and significant behavioral changes. A young dog is neither a “big puppy” nor yet an adult dog, but rather a distinct stage of life with its own rules.

Important to keep in mind: What is often perceived as "sudden disobedience" or "sudden changes" is usually just a normal part of development. It has been shown that young dogs react differently to familiar caregivers during adolescence; their impulse control is unstable, and they process stimuli differently. Understanding this phase plays a key role in determining the long-term quality of the relationship.

Background and Academic Context

In a groundbreaking study conducted at Newcastle University, Asher et al. (2020) examined the behavior of adolescent dogs and found that during puberty, dogs respond significantly less well to cues from their primary caregiver—similar to how adolescents selectively pay less attention to their parents. They did not exhibit this effect with strangers. The authors interpret this as evolutionary separation behavior and developmentally driven relationship dynamics.

From a neurobiological perspective, adolescence in mammals is characterized by an imbalance between developing subcortical "impulse structures" and the prefrontal cortex, which is not yet fully mature (see Casey et al. 2008 for extrapolations from human research). Dogs similarly exhibit increased risk-taking behavior, heightened reactivity, and fluctuating self-regulation.

Hormonal factors involved include sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and stress hormones. Studies on sleep architecture (Kis et al. 2017) show that sleep quality and learning performance are particularly sensitive during this phase. Social learning and bonding behavior also undergo reorganization—puppies test relationship rules without questioning them.

Vitomalia-Position

At Vitomalia, we strongly advocate for patience, consistency, and a nuanced approach during the puppy phase—not for strictness or punishment. This is not the time to become harsher, but rather to establish clearer structure. Those who respond with pressure at this stage often cause lasting damage to the relationship.

We reject recommendations that rely on aversive correction, "strict discipline," or punitive communication during adolescence. Studies (Vieira de Castro et al. 2020; Ziv 2017) demonstrate the negative effects of aversive methods on well-being and the quality of relationships—a particularly relevant consideration during the sensitive puppy phase.

One thing is also clear: young dogs need structure, rest, social clarity, and consistent training. Consistency isn’t harshness. It’s reliability.

When does the puppy stage begin?

This is particularly evident in everyday life: when there are recall issues (“he suddenly stops listening”), when sensitivity to stimuli and reactivity increase, when there are leash-walking problems, when hunting behavior intensifies, in multi-dog households, when frustration increases, and when inner calm diminishes. Hormonal changes in intact dogs also fall under this phase.

Practical application

1. Adjust your expectations: What went well in puppy class suddenly becomes a challenge during adolescence. That’s normal.
2. Management before correction: Long Leash, a safe distance, fewer conflicts.
3. Repeat the training in small steps: Reinforce the signals under low-stimulus conditions, then gradually increase the intensity.
4. Plan for rest: 14–17 hours of total rest per day, undisturbed sleeping areas, clear separation of phases.
5. Choose quality social interactions: not every encounter with another dog is worthwhile. It’s better to have a few good encounters.
6. Building a bond: quiet activities together, scent work, trust-building routines.
7. Veterinary checkup: If there are sudden changes in behavior, check for pain, thyroid issues, and hormone levels.

Common Mistakes and Myths

• "Now you have to be tougher." Wrong. Toughness damages relationships and learning outcomes. Consistent, calm guidance is more effective.
• "If he doesn't learn this now, he'll never learn it." Wrong. Learning is a lifelong process. Adolescence is a phase, not an endpoint.
• "Puberty justifies everything." Not really. Clear structures remain important—just without the pressure.
• "Neutering solves puberty-related problems." Often incorrect. Early neutering can actually exacerbate anxiety-related problems (Hart et al. 2014). Weigh the options carefully.
• "My dog is trying to provoke me." Dogs don't provoke in the human sense. Their behavior is usually a sign of being overwhelmed or going through developmental changes.

State of the art in 2026

Consensus: Adolescence in dogs is a real, biologically grounded phase characterized by behavioral changes analogous to puberty in humans. Asher et al. (2020) provided the first empirical evidence of selective response patterns toward primary caregivers. The evidence supporting positive reinforcement as the method of choice is robust. Open questions concern the exact timing of this phase for each breed, the effect of early neutering on behavior, and key factors for successful adolescence support.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the puppy stage begin and end?

Begins around 6 months of age; ends between 12 and 24 months, depending on the breed. Larger breeds take longer to mature.

My young dog has suddenly lost his hearing—what should I do?

Lower expectations, assess the stimulus environment, reinforce signals with minimal distractions, and be patient. Asher et al. (2020) show that this is a phase, not a relationship crisis.

Should I have my young dog neutered?

There are no blanket recommendations. In cases involving anxiety-related issues, early neutering can be counterproductive (Hart et al. 2014). A case-by-case assessment by a veterinarian is required.

How much sleep does a young dog need?

More than parents often realize—14 to 17 hours a day, often more. Sleep deprivation exacerbates puberty-related issues.

Related terms

• Adolescence
• puppy
• Impulse control
• Inner peace
• Hunting behavior
• Walking on a leash
• Neutering

Sources and further reading

1. Asher, L., England, G. C. W., Sommerville, R., & Harvey, N. D. (2020). Teenage dogs? Evidence for adolescent-phase conflict behaviour and an association between attachment to humans and pubertal timing in the domestic dog. Biology Letters, 16(5), 20200097.
2. Casey, B. J., Jones, R. M., & Hare, T. A. (2008). The adolescent brain. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1124(1), 111–126.
3. Hart, B. L., Hart, L. A., Thigpen, A. P., & Willits, N. H. (2014). Long-term health effects of neutering dogs: comparison of Labrador Retrievers with Golden Retrievers. PLoS ONE, 9(7), e102241.
4. Vieira de Castro, A. C., Fuchs, D., Morello, G. M., et al. (2020). Does training method matter? PLoS ONE, 15(12), e0225023.
5. Kis, A., Gergely, A., Galambos, Á., et al. (2017). Sleep macrostructure is modulated by positive and negative social experience in adult pet dogs. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 284, 20171883.
6. Ziv, G. (2017). The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs – A review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 19, 50–60.