Week 13 · the teenage stretch · after the baby months
This isn’t week 13 of your puppy’s life. It’s the next chapter, after the baby months. The automatic cuteness wears off. The puppy who used to come running when you rattled the treat bag suddenly finds the gate, the neighbor’s cat, or their own nose a lot more interesting. That’s adolescence. It’s normal, and it’s not personal.
What You’ll Probably Notice
- Skills look rusty. Sit works at home and disappears outside
- Your dog hears you and picks something else. That’s distraction, not spite
- Bigger feelings. More excitement, more worry, quicker frustration
- Freedom that was going fine turns into a chewed chair or a dash out the door
- Some dogs get nervous about things they used to ignore
None of that means your early training failed. The world just got more interesting than your cue. The answer isn’t getting tougher. It’s better rewards, a bit less freedom for now, and easier reps they can win.
Keep Doing What Works
Rewards still work. A teenage dog who gets yelled at learns to avoid you, not to think.
- Make recall worth it again. Better rewards, easier places
- A minute of settle on the dog bed every day
- Same potty spot. Accidents can come back when the routine slips. Clean up, shorten the gap, no scolding
- Keep chews around. A busy mouth on the right thing beats your furniture
- Keep the leash a good thing. Clip it on for fun outings, not just when you’re annoyed
If a cue falls apart, make it easier instead of louder. This isn’t the time to test the hardest version of everything in one afternoon.
Less Freedom, Then More
A lot of “he used to be so good” stories are really freedom stories. The baby puppy stayed put because everything was new and they were tired. The teenager has opinions and longer legs.
Go back to a smaller map for a while. A gate isn’t an insult. It stops the door-dashing and counter-surfing while you rebuild. After a week of easy wins, give one room back.
If your dog gets nervous about something new, do what you did during socialization. Shorter outings, more distance, stop while they’re comfortable. Don’t drag them through it.
Practice Out in the World
A pet-friendly mall at a quiet hour is a good place to rebuild skills that fall apart outside. Smooth floors, people, and sounds, all in a controlled way. Keep it short. Reward every check-in and every calm moment on a loose leash. Leave before your dog is done. Ten good minutes is a great session.
Now Size Matters
This is where dogs split up. These ranges are a general guide. Your dog may be earlier or later.
- Small dogs like the Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, and Chihuahua are often physically grown around 8 to 12 months. They look done early. Their behavior usually isn’t, so keep training.
- Medium dogs, including most Aspins, are often physically grown around 12 to 18 months. Expect a real teenage stretch, not a short blip. Don’t compare your Aspin to the neighbor’s small dog who “calmed down” earlier.
- Large and giant dogs like the Labrador and Golden Retriever are often physically grown around 18 to 24 months. Behavior can take longer. Plenty of Labradors still act young at 2, 3, even 4. That’s not because you were too soft.
Behavior can lag behind the body at any size. A full-grown dog can still need the dog bed, the chews, and a recall you reward.
What Not to Think
Don’t decide that kindness stopped working and you need to get tough. You and your dog aren’t opponents. You’re the person who makes the right choice obvious and worth it. And your dog isn’t ruined. Teenage dogs grow up. Your job is to keep the good habits alive, even when they look a bit messy.
Week 13 Checklist
- This is adolescence, not week 13 of life
- Rusty skills get easier reps and better rewards, not a louder voice
- Less freedom when things fall apart, more after success
- Potty, chews, settle, and leash stay in the week
- Nervous days get shorter outings
- Size sets a rough timeline: small earlier, medium and most Aspins in the middle, large later
Next Week
Week 14 is the same stretch at home: zoomies, barking, and a routine that works.
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