Puppy to Teenager: Why Early Training Matters for London Dogs
That tiny puppy phase doesn’t last nearly as long as you think.
One minute your puppy is following you everywhere. The next, they’re noticing every dog, squirrel and pigeon, becoming more independent and seemingly questioning everything they’ve already learned.
Welcome to adolescence!
For many dogs, changes associated with adolescence can start from around 5–6 months, although this varies between individual dogs and breeds.
And for puppies growing up in London, there’s a lot to navigate: busy streets, dogs, people, traffic, cafés, parks and endless distractions.
At Kirby Dog Training, we love helping owners build the foundations they’ll need before puppyhood turns into the teenage phase.
What can change during adolescence?
As puppies mature, you might notice:
Recall becoming less reliable
More pulling or zig-zagging on the lead
Increased interest in dogs, people and wildlife
Difficulty settling
More frustration or excitement
Changes in confidence
Barking or lunging on walks
Suddenly seeming to “forget” previously learned skills
This doesn’t necessarily mean your dog is being stubborn or that their puppy training hasn’t worked.
Their needs are changing; and our training needs to change with them.
Don’t wait for a problem to start training
Puppy training isn't just about teaching sit, down and stay. We're thinking about the adult dog your puppy is going to become.
Can they walk through a busy London street without becoming overwhelmed?
Can they disengage from another dog?
Can they settle while life happens around them?
Can they confidently explore new environments?
Can they come back when called when something exciting is happening?
Working on recall, loose lead walking, confidence, settling and engagement around distractions during puppyhood can give you brilliant foundations for adolescence.
And remember: socialisation doesn't mean your puppy needs to meet every person and dog they see. Learning to calmly observe the world without needing to interact with everything is an important skill too.
“But my puppy is really good at the moment…”
Great! That's actually a brilliant time to train.
Dog training doesn't need to start when something has already gone wrong.
Proactive puppy training can help you build the skills you'll want before you desperately need them.
Adolescence is a normal developmental stage. Rather than expecting a “perfect” dog, we can adjust our expectations, meet their needs and continue building communication and useful everyday skills.
Ultimately, good dog training should help dogs and their humans live more harmoniously together.
Puppy & adolescent dog training in London
If you’re looking for puppy training in London or support with your teenage dog, Kirby Dog Training offers personalised 1:1 dog training tailored to you, your dog and your everyday life.
We can help with puppy training, adolescent behaviour, recall, loose lead walking, confidence building, settling, overexcitement, frustration and reactivity.
Your puppy won't be a baby for long. Building those foundations now can make navigating adolescence, and life together, much easier.
Looking for a puppy or adolescent dog trainer in London? Get in touch with Kirby Dog Training to find out how we can help.