Surviving Adolescence

Surviving the Teen Dog Phase: Tips to Help You Both Thrive

Adolescence can be a wild ride for dogs and humans alike! If you’re living with a teenage dog right now, take a deep breath, you’re not alone. 

Here are some practical ways to help you and your young canine buddy get through this sometimes-chaotic stage with your sanity (and your bond) intact.

🐾 Keep Up with Training Lessons

Stick with those training lessons! All those basic cues you learned in puppy class — watch, sit, down, stay — still matter. Keep practicing them every day.

If your dog suddenly struggles with a cue, try one of two things:

1️⃣ If it’s an essential behavior for daily life, take a step back and revisit the basics — think of it as starting fresh. Don’t worry: your dog will pick it back up faster this time around (even if it’s the second… or third… or fourth time!).

2️⃣ If it’s a fun trick or advanced skill that isn’t urgent, give it a break. Let your dog’s brain reset for a few weeks, then circle back for a quick refresher later.

🎾 Play, Play, Play!

Never underestimate the power of play. It’s one of the most underused tools in training and in building a great relationship with your dog. Make time for 5–10 minutes a day of your dog’s favorite game — tug, fetch, hide and seek, you name it!

Better yet, weave skills into your play. Games that teach cues, impulse control, or recall can be super effective and fun for you both.

Check out the Play With a Purpose Membership on Patreon to learn how to play in ways that encourage learning good behaviors.

🐕 Find the Right Exercise Balance

Teen dogs are often overflowing with energy, but finding the sweet spot for exercise is key. Too little, and all that pent-up energy can bubble over into mischief. Too much, and you risk turning your dog into a super-athlete who needs massive workouts just to cope.

What’s the best approach? Short, frequent play sessions throughout the day help burn energy without overdoing it. Mix in some enrichment that uses some mental energy, such as playing Find It Games. 

Save the long marathons for special adventures, not daily routine.

🌟 Stay Positive and Upbeat

Focus on everything your dog has learned and keep the training fun! The more enjoyable you are, the more your easily-distracted teen will want to stick with you. Be silly, be upbeat, and celebrate the little wins.

😂 Mistakes Happen — Laugh It Off

Every dog makes mistakes, especially adolescents. When your pup pulls a stunt that tests your patience, take a breath and try to find the humor in it later. Call a friend, share your story, and laugh about that moment you dashed outside in your pajamas to catch your runaway dog.

The more you can laugh, the easier it is to let go of frustration and move forward. After you’ve had your giggle, think about how you can prevent the same mishap next time with better management and a little extra training.

Remember: You don’t have to tackle the teenage dog stage alone! The Crazy Canine Adolescent Community is here to support you with tips, cheerleading, and a safe place to share the ups and downs. Come join us, we’re all in this together! 💛🐾

Turn Struggles Into Strengths

 Turn Struggles Into Strengths: A Supportive Dog Training Membership That Works

Do you ever feel like you're constantly managing your dog's behavior instead of enjoying life with your dog?

Whether it's barking, pulling on the leash, jumping on guests, or reacting to other dogs or people, these daily struggles can leave you feeling frustrated, defeated, and unsure of what to try next.

You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

That’s why we created the Turning Struggles Into Strengths membership here at Yooper Paws of Love. This membership is designed for dog owners who are ready to move beyond basic obedience and dive into understanding the “why” behind their dog’s behavior—so they can build lasting change through connection, not correction.

And this August, we’re taking it to the next level with monthly live workshops to guide you even further!

What Is the “Turning Struggles Into Strengths” Membership?

This powerful, supportive membership offers a mix of deep-dive resources, actionable training tools, and community encouragement—at an affordable price.

For just $14/month, you get:

✅ Challenging Behaviors Workshop Series
12+ hours of video lessons to help you navigate leash manners, reactivity, impulse control, and more.

✅ Behavior-Specific Resources
Monthly posts tackle real-life challenges like:

• Resource guarding

• Separation anxiety

• Barking (fearful and excited)

• Jumping on guests

• And more, based on actual member needs

✅ Access to 3 Additional Collections
All members receive instant access to:

• Play With a Purpose Collection

• Helping Fearful Dogs Feel Safe Collection

• Confident Canines Collection
  These are perfect for building confidence, connection, and calmness in your day-to-day life.

🗓️ New! Monthly Live Workshops Begin August 4th

To give our members even more hands-on support, we’re launching a new live workshop series beginning:

📅 Monday, August 4th
🕚 11:00 AM (Central Time)

These workshops will be held on the first Monday of every month, offering focused support, guided Q&A, and new strategies to help you continue building strength and success with your dog.

Can’t make it live? No worries—replays will be available for all Patreon members in the Turning Struggles Into Strengths Membership!

🔒 Doors Close Soon – Enroll Before August 4th!

Enrollment for this round of the Turning Struggles Into Strengths membership closes at midnight on Monday, August 4th. Once doors close, you won’t be able to join until the next open registration period.

This is your opportunity to join a supportive, positive, judgment-free space where you can get the help you need without breaking the bank.

For less than the cost of a one-time private lesson, you get:

• Expert training advice

• Personalized feedback

• Access to proven methods that build trust and understanding

❤️ From Struggle to Strength—Together

At Yooper Paws of Love, our goal is to help dogs and their people work as a team so you can enjoy life together with less stress and more joy. We focus on relationship-based training that teaches your dog to make good choices, manage their emotions, and look to you for guidance.

If you're tired of the struggle and ready for real, lasting change—this is your next step.

👉 Join the Membership Now

Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Still not sure if this membership is right for you?

Email us at dogtraining@yooperpaws.com for a free sample post in this membership.
Schedule a FREE 15-minute phone consultation and we’ll help guide you to the best option based on your needs.

Online Dog Training Works.

Supportive Training Should Be Accessible to Everyone.

Let’s turn your struggles into strengths—together.