PuppyweeksPuppy development
Adolescence Onset: what to expect
Adolescence is the canine teenage phase — hormones, selective hearing, distraction, and for many owners the hardest stretch. The dog you trained can seem to vanish. It’s normal and it passes. Bigger dogs stay adolescent longer than small breeds, so expect this to run further than generic puppy timelines suggest.
When does this happen?
| Toy · Small | Weeks 17–24 |
|---|---|
| Medium | Weeks 17–28 |
| Large | Weeks 17–32 |
Bigger dogs stay adolescent longer — larger breeds reach each later stage weeks after smaller ones.
Not sure this is your puppy’s exact stage? Check the Puppy Stage Finder. Wondering if suddenly ignoring cues they knew is normal? Get a straight answer.
Common questions
Why is my adolescent dog suddenly ignoring me?
Around 4–7 months, hormones and a reorganising brain make adolescent dogs distracted and selectively deaf to cues they knew well. Go back to basics in low-distraction settings and rebuild — it’s a phase, not lost training.
How long does dog adolescence last?
It varies by size: smaller dogs often move through it faster, while medium and large breeds stay adolescent longer, sometimes well into the second year. Larger breeds reach each later stage weeks after smaller ones.
When should I spay or neuter my dog?
Timing depends on projected adult size and is a decision to make with your vet — smaller dogs are often done earlier, while for larger breeds many vets wait until growth plates close (roughly 9–15 months). There’s no single rule.
Grounded in established canine behavioural science — see our sources.