Looking after your adolescent dog
Looking after your adolescent dog
Parenting a teen (pup)? Here’s what you need to know about vet visits, nutrition and everyday care.
When your pet is unwell or hurt, it can feel overwhelming. Some situations can safely wait for your regular vet, while others call...
Wellness plans and pet insurance serve different roles in your pet’s healthcare — but they complement each other perfectly. Here’s how they work...
Do you know how to keep your dog or cat safe in a fire, flood or cyclone? We give tips on making an...
Most graduates of puppy schools will know that treats can be a powerful tool when you want to reward and reinforce good behaviour...
As pet owners, we want the best for our furry friend. And we especially want them to live long, healthy and happy lives. One...
As devoted pet parents, we want nothing but the best for our canine companions – and that begins with providing them with the...
Our pets often surprise us with their curiosity and occasional unpredictability. While we all hope to avoid emergencies, being prepared with basic first...
Desexing is a common surgical procedure performed under a general anaesthetic by veterinarians. In female cats and dogs, the surgery is called speying...
Chocolate is a big no-no for our pets. While we enjoy its rich, sweet taste, it contains ingredients our dogs and cats can’t...
Although parasites in dogs and cats are tiny and most often out of sight, these nasty critters can wreak havoc on your pet’s...
Chocolate is a big no-no for our pets. While we enjoy its rich, sweet taste, it contains ingredients our dogs and cats can’t...
Desexing is a common surgical procedure performed under a general anaesthetic by veterinarians. In female cats and dogs, the surgery is called speying...
Our pets often surprise us with their curiosity and occasional unpredictability. While we all hope to avoid emergencies, being prepared with basic first...
As devoted pet parents, we want nothing but the best for our canine companions – and that begins with providing them with the...
As pet owners, we want the best for our furry friend. And we especially want them to live long, healthy and happy lives. One...
Most graduates of puppy schools will know that treats can be a powerful tool when you want to reward and reinforce good behaviour...
Do you know how to keep your dog or cat safe in a fire, flood or cyclone? We give tips on making an...
Wellness plans and pet insurance serve different roles in your pet’s healthcare — but they complement each other perfectly. Here’s how they work...
Behaviour and understanding your dog
Behaviour and understanding your dog
When your sweet puppy becomes a cheeky teenager, check out our vet-approved advice to help them feel calm, confident and understood.
If your dog seems to panic every time you leave the house, they could be dealing with separation anxiety. Separation anxiety in dogs...
If you've ever noticed your dog dragging their bottom (often called scooting or tobogganing) along the floor, you might be wondering what's going...
If you've ever caught your dog snacking on their own poo – yep, we said it – you’re not alone. As gross as...
If you’ve ever caught your dog or cat chomping on your green lawn – and wondering aloud why is my pet eating grass?...
You want your dog to be a social butterfly, right? Whether you've got a bouncy pup or a wise old hound, giving them...
If you’ve ever caught your dog or cat chomping on your green lawn – and wondering aloud why is my pet eating grass?...
If you've ever caught your dog snacking on their own poo – yep, we said it – you’re not alone. As gross as...
If you've ever noticed your dog dragging their bottom (often called scooting or tobogganing) along the floor, you might be wondering what's going...
Quiz: Do you know your pet car safety?
Think you’re a pro at keeping your furry friend safe on the road? From seatbelts to travel tips, test your knowledge and find out if your car safety game is on point.
Quiz: Do you know your pet car safety?
Think you’re a pro at keeping your furry friend safe on the road? From seatbelts to travel tips, test your knowledge and find out if your car safety game is on point.
Common health conditions in adolescent dogs
Common health conditions in adolescent dogs
Learn how to spot, manage and prevent the most common health issues that affect dogs – from ear infections to kennel cough and everything in between.
If your pet has severe hip dysplasia or other hip join problems, they might need a hip replacement. Here’s your essential guide to...
If you’ve ever seen a footy player go down on the field clutching their knee in agony, you’ll know that knee injuries can...
Kennel cough is highly contagious and spreads fast in shared dog spaces. Find out what it is, how it spreads, what signs to...
Not all scooting is harmless. From impactions to infections, here’s how to tell when your dog’s anal glands need a vet’s attention. It...
Hip dysplasia is a common but often painful condition that affects both dogs and cats, especially larger breeds like German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers,...
Ear infections (also known as Otitis) are a common reason for pet owners to visit the vet. While they’re more common in dogs,...
Hip dysplasia is a common but often painful condition that affects both dogs and cats, especially larger breeds like German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers,...
Not all scooting is harmless. From impactions to infections, here’s how to tell when your dog’s anal glands need a vet’s attention. It...
Kennel cough is highly contagious and spreads fast in shared dog spaces. Find out what it is, how it spreads, what signs to...
If you’ve ever seen a footy player go down on the field clutching their knee in agony, you’ll know that knee injuries can...
Pet age calculator
Curious to know how old your pet really is in human years? Answer a few quick questions to discover their true age and life stage.
Pet age calculator
Curious to know how old your pet really is in human years? Answer a few quick questions to discover their true age and life stage.
FAQs
Your top adolescent dog questions, answered by the experts.
Dogs typically enter adolescence or their ‘teenage phase’ between six and eight months of age. The exact timing depends on their breed and size – smaller breeds tend to hit adolescence earlier, while larger breeds begin their teenage years a little later and take longer to fully mature. For most dogs, adolescence lasts until they are 18 to 24 months. If you’re not sure what stage of life your dog is in, check out our Pet Age Calculator.
Adolescence in dogs brings a mix of hormonal, physical and behavioural changes – just like it does in humans. Physically, adolescence can bring on a rapid growth spurt, leaving them looking a little gawky until they settle into their adult bodies. You might also notice your dog is showing more curiosity, seeking more independence and testing boundaries. They might have mood swings, bursts of energy or selective hearing, and many dogs get the urge to chew anything they can get their paws on. Desexing your dog can make some of these behaviours easier to manage. Your vet can keep an eye on your dog’s growth and development and conduct a full adolescent health check.
Yes, many dogs go through what can feel like a ‘rebellious’ phase during their teenage phase. As they hit puberty, they may test boundaries, ignore commands they previously had down-pat and generally act more independent. This is all perfectly normal, and it doesn’t mean you’re back to square one when it comes to training. The key is to stay calm, keep boundaries consistent and go back to basics with your training cues. Try to avoid losing your patience or punishing your adolescent dog if they act out, and make sure you offer plenty of positive reinforcement (and rewards) when they follow commands. If you’re concerned about your adolescent dog’s behaviour, chat to your vet.
Most dogs are finished their teething phase before adolescence; however their adult teeth are still settling into their gums, which can trigger an uncontrollable urge to chew. If your adolescent dog has started to gnaw on household items, redirect them to a chew toy and make sure they are getting plenty of exercise and training – chewing can also be a sign of pent-up energy or boredom.
When a dog becomes an adult depends on their breed and size. Smaller dogs reach maturity between 12 to 18 months, while larger or giant breeds may not reach maturity until they are two to three years old.
Dogs typically enter adolescence or their ‘teenage phase’ between six and eight months of age. The exact timing depends on their breed and size – smaller breeds tend to hit adolescence earlier, while larger breeds begin their teenage years a little later and take longer to fully mature. For most dogs, adolescence lasts until they are 18 to 24 months. If you’re not sure what stage of life your dog is in, check out our Pet Age Calculator.
Adolescence in dogs brings a mix of hormonal, physical and behavioural changes – just like it does in humans. Physically, adolescence can bring on a rapid growth spurt, leaving them looking a little gawky until they settle into their adult bodies. You might also notice your dog is showing more curiosity, seeking more independence and testing boundaries. They might have mood swings, bursts of energy or selective hearing, and many dogs get the urge to chew anything they can get their paws on. Desexing your dog can make some of these behaviours easier to manage. Your vet can keep an eye on your dog’s growth and development and conduct a full adolescent health check.
Yes, many dogs go through what can feel like a ‘rebellious’ phase during their teenage phase. As they hit puberty, they may test boundaries, ignore commands they previously had down-pat and generally act more independent. This is all perfectly normal, and it doesn’t mean you’re back to square one when it comes to training. The key is to stay calm, keep boundaries consistent and go back to basics with your training cues. Try to avoid losing your patience or punishing your adolescent dog if they act out, and make sure you offer plenty of positive reinforcement (and rewards) when they follow commands. If you’re concerned about your adolescent dog’s behaviour, chat to your vet.
Most dogs are finished their teething phase before adolescence; however their adult teeth are still settling into their gums, which can trigger an uncontrollable urge to chew. If your adolescent dog has started to gnaw on household items, redirect them to a chew toy and make sure they are getting plenty of exercise and training – chewing can also be a sign of pent-up energy or boredom.
When a dog becomes an adult depends on their breed and size. Smaller dogs reach maturity between 12 to 18 months, while larger or giant breeds may not reach maturity until they are two to three years old.
Still scratching your head?
Still scratching your head?
The teen phase can be a rollercoaster, but your vet can support you every step of the way.
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