[jasper21]

Could this be possible? I thought it happened earlier and we had sailed through it unscathed.
Just this week, young Jasper seems to have gone through a personality change. From being timid with other dogs when he was younger, then he became playful, just this week he has started barking like crazy at other dogs (it's embarasing). His bark has also changed, it's deeper and louder - do dogs voices break, like humans? He is very boisterous, jumpy and wants to run (away). He has also started ignoring us (especially when distracted). On Tuesday he jumped out the car before I got his lead on and ran amok in Pets at Home car park, chasing the cars and nearly getting run over, completley ignoring me (very scary). Today he ran up to some children and barked at them (wanting to play).
Absolutley nothing has changed in his routine etc. He gets 3-4 walks per day and training every day, and beginners agility once a week.

Please say this is just adolescence, otherwise I'm not sure how to handle all this. Our well mannered puppy has turned into a monster.

 

[Amaryllis]

Dogs do change as they mature. A dog that loved other dogs as a puppy can become dog aggressive as an adult. And 11 months does sound right for testing boundaries, backsliding on training and generally being a pain in the rear.


However, any complete change in behavior could be a medical issue. You may wish to consult with your vet.

 

[trainingjunkie]

I think that adolescence can run from 4 or 5 months to 2 or 3 years! There's a long transition between puppyhood and adulthood and all dogs make those transfers at their own pace.

One dog trainer I know firmly believes that adolescence begins at 16 weeks to the day. She's really hung up on that. But for sure, it continues through 2 to 3 years for many dogs, labs coming quickly to mind!

Keep exercising, keep training, and hang in there! It passes! Do the work, the results will follow!

 

[jasper21]

Thank-you Amarylis and training junkie, you have put my mind at ease.

 

[hanksimon]

If the dog is not fixed, 10 -11 months is when hormones kick in. On the other hand, the dog may be more confident and may be barking to entice other dogs to play...

 

[canagua]

Jasper how did your dog get on? Is he OK now with people, other dogs etc?

 

[jasper21]

Hi Canagua, thanks for asking. Jasper is 18 months now. He is fine with people again though sometimes timid of men, the barking has stopped thankfully. He is now growling at other dogs who are bigger than him (only when he is on lead) and has had a few scraps. We think it is fear as he is often timid and shies away from some dogs too. Off lead he is fine and playful. I'm not sure why he is fearful as he has been and still is socialised lots. He really is very gentle with people now and is working as a therapy pet.

 

[titiaamor]

I did read once that this age is when they develop their long vision, so all of a sudden they are seeing things they've never seen.

Hi Canagua, thanks for asking. Jasper is 18 months now. He is fine with people again though sometimes timid of men, the barking has stopped thankfully. He is now growling at other dogs who are bigger than him (only when he is on lead) and has had a few scraps. We think it is fear as he is often timid and shies away from some dogs too. Off lead he is fine and playful. I'm not sure why he is fearful as he has been and still is socialised lots. He really is very gentle with people now and is working as a therapy pet.

 

[hanksimon]

Also, this is the end of the last fear cycle, I believe ... possibly related to better vision. Keep up the socialization exercises [yes, all of his life ... I still do socialization and Bite Inhibtion exercises with my 12 yo]. He should calm down again in about 6 months and start to mellow nicely.

 

[canagua]

Sadly sometimes you can overdo the socialisation with people and other dogs with the breed. If he's not happy do not overdo it. The Spanish do go though a few fear periods.