by Trish King

Having a happy relationship with your dog means learning how to work together. If there´s a topic you´d like to see Trish cover, email editors@fetchthepaper.com.

Most of our consults at the Marin Humane Society involve adolescent dogs (those between five months and two years or so of age). Most of the dogs surrendered to shelters are in this age range as well. Some dogs pass through the phase with little trouble, but most drive their owners crazy! During this phase, it can be hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve often thought that someone could make money raising dogs until they’re adults, but that someone would probably go nuts.

Adolescent dogs have insatiable curiosity about the world which they explore through all their senses, including taste. They have no idea what things are supposed to look like normally or how much they cost. They don’t know what cars can do to them, or that people on bicycles are just people. To the dog they can be moving objects, and moving objects were put there to be chased and nipped. Other bad behaviors:

• Digging: they’re on their way to China by way of your lawn.
• Chewing: a brand new set of molars needs exercise, and furniture seems like a good place to start.
• Jumping up: playing with you and other dogs as though you are all made of steel.
• Running away: remember when your three-month-old puppy stuck to you like glue? No more; this dog has places to go and people to jump on.
• Growling or snarling: some dogs figure this is as good a time as any to challenge authority, which happens to be you.
• Obedience: They’ve never heard of the word and don’t understand the concept.
• Not doing homework, taking your car, dying their hair: Oops, that’s teenage people! However, dogs go through the same thing, in their own way.

So, what do you do about it?

Wring your hands, clean up the mess, and by golly manage your dog. Start by thinking of your dog as a phenomenally active two-year-old child. Parents expect to have to child-proof their home against the damage a little one can do; multiply that by 10, and you have some of the damage that can be inflicted by your dog. Here are some suggestions to get through this period and still own your dog.

1. Limit the amount of space you allow your dog. Many people crate train their puppies to housetrain them. Don’t put it away when your puppy turns into an adolescent. You can put your dog in his crate to sleep or when you need some time to yourself. But don’t stop there. Limit your dog’s space in the house to a manageable size until you are pretty sure he’s trustworthy. A room blocked by baby gates is one method. Then you can catch him as he begins to chew on that table leg. And you can take all potentially attractive items off low tables or even high ones if he’s a big dog!
2. Though many people use a doggie door, it’s usually not a good idea to let your dog have complete in and out privileges, and certainly not at night. That will give him a very large space to protect and encourage such behaviors as barking and fence fighting. Instead, let him use his doggie door when you are home, and confine him when you’re gone. Give him more space as he proves himself capable of handling it.
3. If she jumps on guests, even if she’s just overly friendly, take away her greeting privileges. Many if not most people don’t like to be greeted with paws on their chest. Set up a tie-down (a short leash attached to an immovable object), and when guests arrive ask them to wait a couple of minutes while you attach your dog to this. When he’s quiet and they’ve settled in, you can let him off his tie-down (though you may wish to leave a leash on for control), and he can socialize. This is better than putting him outside where he will feel ostracized and may whine and bark, which is nearly impossible to control while you’re entertaining. If he whines or barks on the tie-down, try ignoring him. If you have to, tell him to hush and squirt water on him.
4. If he jumps on you as you are walking in the door, ignore him. Make him invisible. Walk through him, maybe to a pre-determined location such as a kitchen counter where you can ask him to sit, then reward him with a cookie. Sometimes I walk all the way through the house with dogs trailing behind me, waiting for their greeting. It only comes when they are very quiet.
5. If your dog is “mouthy” (chews on you), you should treat it as a serious problem. It’s an instant signal that playtime is over. Adolescents need to know this is a serious infraction of the rules. I suggest that you stop playing abruptly, freeze, stare at the dog, and growl loudly and deeply “No” (one of the few times you should use that word, since it loses its value the more it’s used). When the dog backs off, smile and begin playing again. If the dog continues to mouth, go through the whole thing again, then walk away.
6. Your dog should learn that although he shouldn’t play rough with you, he can play rough with objects. So the same time you teach him not to mess with your (or any other human’s) skin, teach him to play tug of war with a toy of your choosing. The tug part is easy (!); teaching them to drop it can also be easy. You just have some treats handy, and while the dog is tugging, you say “drop it,” and push a treat in the side of the dogs’ mouth. As he tastes the food, he’ll let the toy go. Praise him, and start the game over again. Within minutes, he’ll be tugging and letting go at your command; after all, this is a win-win situation! Adolescents also often want to play hard with other dogs. That’s just fine as long as the other dogs are in on the decision. If your dog is a rough player and overwhelms other dogs, play referee and move him off. It’s only polite. Through the whole thing, remember, adolescents (at least most of them) do grow up!