Age Guide: Approximately 6 months +

These classes are suitable for those puppies who have attended previous classes (The Young Ones or Young Teens).  If you haven’t attended previous classes, there the course includes one Private 121 Training session.  However, you are encouraged to complete 3-4 Private 121 Training sessions prior to attending this class, but this is optional.

I limit places to 4 in class as larger groups tend to be chaotic and noisy, which is not a good environment for learning for both owners and puppies.  Occasionally I might allow a 5th puppy in class.  There is not an option to turn up without pre-booking, as it’s important for me to know everyone and the dogs attending on a personal level.

Why adolescent classes?
Understanding Your Adolescent Dog: What to Expect and How to Support Them

No matter how much socialisation you’ve done, how consistent your training has been, or how much time and love you’ve invested, your dog will go through challenges during adolescence. And that’s okay. Accepting this phase for what it is will make your journey together so much smoother.

Adolescence can bring a whole range of behaviours: reactivity, hyperarousal, destructive tendencies, forgetting even the most basic cues, becoming easily distracted, the list goes on. Chances are, you’ll experience at least one of these behaviours, and quite possibly all of them at some point.

From around five months of age, and especially between 7-8 months, it might feel like everything is unravelling. You may question your efforts or feel like you’ve done something wrong. But let me reassure you, you haven’t. This is completely normal.

Adolescence can last up to three years, depending on your dog’s size and breed. While we can see physical changes like adult teeth coming in or changes in coat and features, it’s crucial to remember there’s a lot happening internally too. Emotional development, hormonal shifts, and brain restructuring are all part of the adolescent process.

You may notice barking at strangers, increased arousal, or your dog suddenly forgetting how to sit. These aren’t signs of failure. Your dog is not broken, and you haven’t messed up. This is a temporary, though sometimes intense, phase where your dog needs your patience, understanding, and support more than ever.

In our Adolescent Classes, we focus on:

• Management strategies to prevent unwanted behaviours
• Mental and physical enrichment to meet your dog’s growing needs
• Returning to basics, when needed, to rebuild confidence
• Gradually increasing the challenge of known behaviours
• Personalised support for individual struggles

This stage isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress, patience, and preparation. We’ll help you ride the waves and shift focus from the struggles to the successes. Together, we’ll guide your dog through adolescence and lay a strong foundation for adulthood.