Teen Manners for dogs over 5 months of age, as well as Puppy Pre-School Grads!
Teen dogs (Adolescents) are going through hormonal changes during which you may see 'Big Feelings' (barking, lunging, pulling). These social butterflies often lack impulse control, and want to greet everyone, so we'll be working on that with.
Throughout classes we will touch on these important subjects specific to Adolescence:
- Behaviour changes that occur during adolescence
- Common adolescent dog behaviour concerns: counter surfing, barking, destructive chewing, biting and mouthing during play/when excited.
- Adolescent fear periods (what are they, when do they typically occur, signs your dog is entering a fear period, what to do during this time)
- Meeting adolescent dog’s needs (physical exercise, mental stimulation, enrichment, social needs, rest)
While Playing Fun Games and Interacting with your Teen, you'll be Luring, Capturing & Shaping and introducing your Teen to:
- Attention & engagement (pattern games, captured attention)
- Polite greetings - Dog / Human
- Polite greetings - Dog / Dog (practice with gate in between)
- Nose to hand targeting
- Settling and relaxation (rewarding calm behaviour, mat training, calm down routine)
- Building calm and focus around distractions (engage-disengage, pattern games)
- Loose leash walking & Recall
Just like human teenagers, adolescent dogs have the energy and motivation to do more. More exploration, more play, more interaction with their friends (humans and non-humans!), but they lack the necessary knowledge and experience to think about and manage their actions and reactions.
* Please note: We are not able to accommodate 'reactive' type behaviour, such as dogs that are likely to bark excessively, pull and / or lunge.
If you are not sure, please email details about the situation to info@cathiescanineconnection.com, or contact your Vet.