"They'll grow out of it!" As a dog trainer, this is one of the most common assumptions I hear from dog parents. While you desperately want to believe that your puppy's troublesome behaviours will naturally fade with age, the reality isn't quite so simple.
The Natural vs Modern Dog
Let's take a moment to consider our dogs for what they are - animals with natural instincts and behaviours. Yes, they're our beloved pets but they're still driven by instincts that served their ancestors well: sniffing, digging, chasing and yes, even rolling around in fox poo!
These natural behaviours aren't 'naughty' - they're just dogs being dogs. The challenge comes when these instincts clash with our modern lifestyle expectations.
The Habit-Forming Years
Think about your puppy jumping up. When they're tiny, it's adorable - those little paws barely reaching your knees. But fast forward a year, and suddenly you've got a full-grown dog launching themselves at every visitor. What changed?
The truth is, nothing changed - except your tolerance. Your dog didn't get the memo that what was cute at 12 weeks isn't acceptable at 12 months. They've simply been practising and perfecting a behaviour that's always worked for them.
The Power of Prevention
This is where we often trip up - we wait for problems to develop before addressing them. It's a bit like waiting for a garden to become overgrown before thinking about maintenance. Prevention is infinitely easier than cure.
Take lead pulling, for example. If your daily walk always follows the same route to the park where your dog gets to play, you're actually reinforcing the pulling behaviour. Every successful pull towards the park teaches your dog that pulling works.
Creating Better Habits
Instead of hoping behaviours will magically disappear with age, we need to actively shape the behaviours we want to see. This doesn't mean turning into a drill sergeant. It's about:
- Setting clear, consistent expectations from day one
- Providing appropriate outlets for natural behaviours
- Putting preventative measures in place before problems occur
- Making training fun and rewarding for both you and your dog
The Software Update
Here’s an analogy for you. I recently had to adapt to a software update where all the buttons had moved. Despite the new layout being perfectly functional, I found it really frustrating because I was so used to the old way. Our dogs face the same challenge when we suddenly decide to change the rules - it's much easier to establish the right patterns from the start.
Moving Forward
Training shouldn't be seen as something only 'naughty' dogs need. It’s an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with your dog and help them navigate our human world more successfully. Age alone won’t fix issues with pulling, jumping, or excessive barking but consistent, positive training will.
The good news? Training doesn't have to be a chore. You’re spending fun, quality time with your dog, understanding their needs and working together to find solutions that work for both of you.
And remember, your dog can absolutely learn new behaviours at any age. But they need your guidance to understand what you'd like them to do instead of just hoping they'll 'grow out of it'.
Want to share your experiences or get some support with your dog's training journey? Pop over to our
Potter Paws Community Facebook Group - we're a friendly bunch who are always happy to help fellow dog parents navigate the ups and downs of dog ownership. We’d love to see you there!
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