What age is the hardest with a puppy?

The adolescent phase stands out as particularly challenging due to its unpredictability. Hormonal changes can lead to erratic behavior, while their increased energy levels might make them more prone to mischief. This phase is markedly different from the others, requiring a unique approach in handling and training. This period is characterized by a surge in energy, hormonal changes, and a quest for independence. Your previously obedient puppy might now exhibit behaviors such as excessive barking, jumping, or even ignoring commands they once followed. This phase can be trying for owners, but understanding it is key to navigating through it successfully. Common issues during this phase include defiance and disobedience, increased aggression or fearfulness, destructive behaviors and restlessness, and regression in training and housebreaking. The adolescent phase typically occurs between 6-18 months.

The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become teenagers and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he’s about eight months old and continue until he’s two years old. Adolescence does not begin and end overnight. However, some noticeable changes include becoming larger and stronger, as well as exhibiting stubborn behavior and a desire to begin exploring outside a previous comfort zone. As your puppy gets older and more confident, he will likely no longer stay close by, and it may feel like any prior training has disappeared. There is a secondary chewing phase between 8-to-10 months that occurs as the adult teeth settle in the jaw. Although this is the most challenging time when raising a puppy, it is also the most rewarding. By training early and continuing to train, you’ll find the adolescent period is easier to navigate, and you’ll help the puppy become a well-adjusted, polite adult dog.