TEENAGE DOBERMANS!

[DeltaDoberman]

Hi all! How was the teenager stage for your dogs? How long did it last?

Our girl Delta is 14 month now! We have put a ton of time and effort into training her, everyday. Our rituals are loose leash walks, obedience, place training, play, hikes, etc.

She is pretty motivated when she is on "Training mode" specially if treats are involved. She is also very high energy, and sometimes I ask myself "How have we been doing this for a year and you still don't know better?!!!" Either way, she is pretty good, not destructive, super social and confident.

HOWEVER, we moved apartments a couple weeks ago, and I don't know if it is the change of environment or the teenage phase kicking in but she has been a handful to say the least! She's having a lot of trouble settling, after walks or training sessions. She's also become defiant and I can tell she is testing limits. She will knowingly do things she is not supposed to, like get on the couch, to get our attention. The "OFF" command that used to work, is not enough anymore so we actually have to get up and get her off the couch, to which she reacts snapping and barking (Most of the time I think its a playful, teenage rebel thing, but of course I still do not like it and don't want to allow it). In response to this we have gone back to more crate time and leash time inside the apartment. For the last couple weeks we have been going on our walk (1hr), feeding her, and then putting her in her kennel at the same time each day, in hopes she learns to self soothe and relax. However, she still has a hard time settling (I am typing this as I hear her whine in the other room for the last 30 min).

Anyway!!! we are trying our best but if you have any tips they would be greatly appreciated! Also what was your experience with your dogs as teenagers? When do they typically start to settle/mature?

 

[JanS]

Most of our dogs hit the teenage stage at around 7 months and settled down by the time they were a year or so. Of course they still have puppy/naughty moments way past that but for the most part they were less than 2 when they really settled down.

The "OFF" command that used to work, is not enough anymore so we actually have to get up and get her off the couch, to which she reacts snapping and barking

That can be a tough one but I would just ignore her when you get her off the couch so she knows it's not going to get your attention. Does she have a bed in the room that you could make her go to instead of the couch or crate?

 

[DeltaDoberman]

I appreciate your reply, thank you! I was hoping for her to settle a bit at around a year but mentally prepared for this to go on until she's two.

We do have her bed in the same room as the couch (where we work) we often try to redirect her to this bed as her place. She prefers trying to sneak into our room and laying on our bed... I don't love that but at least she can relax there.

 

[GennyB]

Our rituals are loose leash walks, obedience, place training, play, hikes, etc.

This all sounds good and like it would wear her out, right? Nope, you probably just built stamina. I would add in some mental stimulation to wear her out. Also try rewarding her when she is calm. I have no doubt your move left her a bit unsettled so helping her learn that calm is okay.

 

[DeltaDoberman]

This all sounds good and like it would wear her out, right? Nope, you probably just built stamina. I would add in some mental stimulation to wear her out. Also try rewarding her when she is calm. I have no doubt your move left her a bit unsettled so helping her learn that calm is okay.

You’re totally right, thank you! To clarify, however, on a day to day basis we regularly take one walk in the morning, one in the evening and a couple training sessions during the day. We also do place training, diy mental stimulation, training, and Kong like toys to satisfy that mental aspect. Either way, you’re right, I do think we need to dile it back on the physical activity.
I’m also reflecting on how the walks we take are much more stimulating than the ones we had before. We used to live near a trail in a part of town that was less hectic. Now we are in the city so as soon as we walk out there is many more sounds (cars, people, dogs), smells, and visual stimulation.

 

[Two Dobes]

That is an adjustment for her, and while I often say that dobermans are very adaptable; sometimes it may take a little longer for them to get into the new groove. Hopefully she will get into the routine of your new place, and settle in.

 

[Ddski5]

My male- 16-20 months of training hard.
My female- 12-16 months of easy training.

I am sure it has a lot to do with genetics and environment but I strongly think it’s all about building obedience and structure AND maintaining it without any owner laziness. I don’t mean to imply that you are slacking but I know there were plenty of times in which I let things slide and they took that inch for a mile- esp in the teenage months.

Patience, persistence, and consistency all mixed with fun is the key. Just have to stay on top of it and when it kicks in and she gets it…it’s one of the greatest feelings to know you hard work has truly paid off.

It’s so parallel with raising children. You let them slide, let them do what they want and they turn into crack heads. You keep your thumb on them and keep them on the right track and I promise she will be your best friend.

No way would I give into the whining in the crate, you do and she will continue to manipulate you. You will regret it later. Took work and patience but I would only let mine out once they became quiet for 3 minutes.

Good luck and keep us updated please.

 

[DeltaDoberman]

My male- 16-20 months of training hard.
My female- 12-16 months of easy training.

I am sure it has a lot to do with genetics and environment but I strongly think it’s all about building obedience and structure AND maintaining it without any owner laziness. I don’t mean to imply that you are slacking but I know there were plenty of times in which I let things slide and they took that inch for a mile- esp in the teenage months.

Patience, persistence, and consistency all mixed with fun is the key. Just have to stay on top of it and when it kicks in and she gets it…it’s one of the greatest feelings to know you hard work has truly paid off.

It’s so parallel with raising children. You let them slide, let them do what they want and they turn into crack heads. You keep your thumb on them and keep them on the right track and I promise she will be your best friend.

No way would I give into the whining in the crate, you do and she will continue to manipulate you. You will regret it later. Took work and patience but I would only let mine out once they became quiet for 3 minutes.

Good luck and keep us updated please.

Thank you so much for this reply! I appreciate the honesty and the reassurance. They are certainly too smart and know how to test limits. Your advice of obedience, structure and consistency is well appreciated! Just this morning we went on one of the best walks we had been on EVER and I had that you are referring to of "hard work has paid off" and she is finally getting more accustomed to the new environment.

It's interesting in the crate because she sleeps there over night with no issues, most of the times in the evenings if she goes in there is little to no barking. It is the morning one that she still struggles with. But I want to help her get used to it, feel safe there, and learn to settle. So we will keep working on it!

Thanks again!

 

[MyBuddy]

Most of our dogs hit the teenage stage at around 7 months and settled down by the time they were a year or so. Of course they still have puppy/naughty moments way past that but for the most part they were less than 2 when they really settled down.

I'd say Annie is about the same. She will be a year next month and I was just thinking about a month ago how much calmer she seems to be than when she was a young puppy. She still wants to play, go outside and play Fetch with the ball or go for walks on the property. But she will settle down when told. In fact these last 2 weeks that I've been sick I thought were really going to be a problem. At first she didn't understand that I was in bed and could not play with her. My husband tried to keep her entertained but was not always available. I think it took a couple of days for her to realize something was wrong and that she just had to go lay down. She was really good about it.

 

[JanS]

I was just thinking about a month ago how much calmer she seems to be than when she was a young puppy. She still wants to play, go outside and play Fetch with the ball or go for walks on the property. But she will settle down when told.

And to me that is a huge milestone.

 

[Ravenbird]

My male- 16-20 months of training hard.
My female- 12-16 months of easy training.

I am sure it has a lot to do with genetics and environment but I strongly think it’s all about building obedience and structure AND maintaining it without any owner laziness. I don’t mean to imply that you are slacking but I know there were plenty of times in which I let things slide and they took that inch for a mile- esp in the teenage months.

Yes on the genetics - my female from solid working lines finally started coming together by 20 - 24 months. Her training was constant, and fairly consistent but what @Ddski5 said - every time I let something slide it would be 2 steps back and she'd push harder to do that thing again. These dogs thrive on mental stimulation and one on one work/play with their human. The bond it builds is an extra bonus. If you live where there are group dog classes for obedience or scent work, just the stimulations of learning to focus on you while other dogs/people work (obedience class) or the game of scent work where they use their nose and you reward them - you let them be the smart one as you play dumb and leave all obedience at the door - these things wear them out mentally and bring them a new view of you as a partner who works with them and is to be respected. You don't have to want to compete to do these things, but the training gives you goals to teach your dog (and you!). There are lots of threads here on doing sports and obedience with our Dobermans.