Sarah is passionate about supporting dogs of all ages but adolescence is her favourite age group. It isn’t just people that benefit from a support bubble in times of need, dogs need them too.
Adolescent dogs are more likely to be surrendered or abandoned, but with greater understanding, and building quiet connections at a pace to suit each individual dog, we can support the maturing dog at a time when he is probably at his most vulnerable.
Many adolescent dogs become body sensitive around the five month mark. Body sensitivity, coupled with the natural biological process of the adolescent period, can lead to misunderstanding and confusion which in turn creates conflict and can break down the relationship between the adolescent dog and the guardian(s).
Should we really be intensifying/accelerating socialisation and training as many suggest, or should we be focusing on refining a more flexible strategy to support dogs, and their guardians through this wonderful (but sometimes challenging) phase?
Instead of thinking about what we should teach adolescent dogs, let’s consider what we can learn from them.
This presentation will explore the magnificent adolescent phase and will also include:
- Identifying the right decompressors for the individual dog
- Creating a support bubble for adolescent dogs
- Minimising frustration by paying attention to our own behaviour
- Modifying games
- Giving adolescent dogs choice, and a voice
- Establishing a body contact contract
- Building calm foundations within a frame work of ACE Free Work