Funny enough, most dogs dumped in shelters are in that age window... between 12 months and 24 months (teenage) they are dumped in shelters and 'rehomed' as people do not understand how to cope with the teenage phase of a dog.
Owners often wonder what happened to their calm puppy. New behaviors start appearing. Owners feel as if their adorable puppy just went crazy. They do not understand why that sweet puppy of yesterday turned into a relentless jump machine ready to test all the limits and unwilling to listen anymore. Many owners feel they have done something wrong, there is a lot of guilt and shame in 'failing' a dog and having to rehome.
But the reality is, if people understood teenage phase, they would know that their dog testing the limits is temporary. They are still developing, they are discovering the world and just like a human teenager, they also want to 'break the rules'. They also forget the things we tell them as fast as they understood them. They also need role models. They need us to be tolerant, and understanding. They are still young, no matter how grown they look. They are puppies in a larger package. They need well-behaved, adult dogs to look up to. They need to calmly and gently be reminded of what is expected of them, with loving reassurance, with the patience of a hero. Our patience and kindness will guide our dog to adulthood where they feel safe. They need us more than ever during this stage, not to be dumped at the shelter, but to be given activities to enhance their curiosity and their potential.
Once they are out of the teenage phase they calm down. Their bodies are finally complete. Their brain is in the right place, the hormones in balance. They are more in control of their emotions. They are not as impressionable.
3 years old is an about perfect age to adopt a dog.
It is out of puppyhood, with potty issues resolved, a personality defined, growth plates in place (less risk of permanent injury due to overexercise), still young and healthy but no puppy initial issues such as chewing, fear periods, and abandonment issues. Lower maintenance, more things to enjoy.
The energy and jumpiness of teenage years is gone, so is the hormonal nightmare that comes with it.
Laura Becker, CBCC-KA
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