Golden Retriever Teenage Phase Explained

Golden Retriever adolescence

While many people group all of the Golden Retriever puppy behavior stages together, all young dogs actually go through two separate phases before adulthood: the puppy stage and the adolescent stage. Dogs are considered puppies from birth until they’re six to eight months old. The next phase of their life, between six and eight months until about the age of 18 months to two years, is adolescence.

While the puppy stage usually gets the most attention for its difficulty, many pet parents find the adolescent stage even more challenging. During this phase, it’s completely normal for your dog to experience behavioral changes, including:

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An independent streak. Adolescent dogs are ready to explore the world around them, and since Golden Retrievers are a naturally smart, high-energy breed, you’ll likely notice your teen Golden Retriever wander more than they may have as a puppy.

Training regression. No matter how hard you worked on training with your puppy, as soon as they hit adolescence, get ready for them to seemingly forget everything they once mastered. This is a common and usually temporary phenomenon.

Increased fearfulness. In this phase, many dogs go through a fear period, during which they may seem more skittish or react fearfully to things that never bothered them before. This period helps your dog learn how to be cautious and, therefore, safe.

Conflict with adult dogs. Plenty of adult dogs indulge or at least ignore adolescent dogs, who tend to test boundaries by nipping their body or trying to play when the adult is not interested. Most young dogs learn what behavior is and is not allowed with other dogs this way, but it’s always a good idea to monitor your adolescent dog around an adult dog for their safety.

Handling your adolescent Golden Retriever

The best way to approach handling your Golden Retriever’s behavioral shifts is to understand that these changes are typically short-lived. Your dog is experiencing a growing awareness and curiosity about the world, and remaining calm and patient during this time is crucial for your relationship and your dog’s wellbeing.

One way to manage a rambunctious adolescent is to increasingly engage your dog with activities such as training sessions, exercise, or mental challenges like puzzle toys to redirect their energy and promote healthy development. These activities not only help distract them from mischief but also contribute positively to their mental and physical development.