I realized the other day that it has been awhile since I spoke of my dog Raider and his adolescent antics.
That’s because he’s been a really great dog as of late. He turned three on Feb. 14 and that three-year age mark tends to be the turning point in a dog’s maturity – physically, mentally and behaviourally. If a dog owner has done their homework of early and ongoing socialization, plus lifestyle-related obedience applied throughout the day, along with plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation, then around the age of three a dog matures into an absolutely wonderful companion that’s a joy to have around. But if the owner has not done any of the above, or very little with no consistency, a dog that turns three will be less than a joy. In fact, that dog could be a behavioural nightmare.
Three is a tough age for dogs. It’s sort of like turning 21 for young adults. You think that you know it all because you are no longer a teenager. But the fact is, you are just beginning to learn how to be an adult and live in an adult world, which can be terrifying if you didn’t prepare for it in your youth. Dogs who haven’t been properly socialized when it comes to interacting with other dogs, and who haven’t been provided proper leadership and boundaries, will often show fear masked as bravado and find themselves in fights with other dogs and, in worst case scenarios, show aggression towards people.
The owners of these dogs often find themselves scratching their head wondering what’s wrong with their dog, not realizing that they created the problem, and end up giving the dog up to a shelter under the impression that something is wrong with it. Worse, they may unnecessarily euthanize the animal assuming it is a rogue dog.
There is nothing wrong with these dogs other than the fact that the owner failed to provide the necessary leadership and guidance during the puppy and adolescent years. The end result is a disrespectful, fear-based dog that uses intimidation and aggression to get what it wants because it has never been taught patience, self-control, limitations and boundaries.
Fortunately the old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is just a bunch of hooey in this case. With the help of a qualified professional trainer who understands the dog did not get adequate guidance as a youngster, these adolescent canine bullies can easily be retrained, resocialized and remain with their owners.
As I said at the beginning of this column, Raider is a joy. Of course, he got the best of training and socialization from me, and as a result he is easily the best dog I have ever had of this age. I also believe that part of his fantastic personality is because he is a rescue. Raider had two other homes before I got him at 12-weeks-old and he came from less than ideal circumstances in the interior of B.C. When people ask me what he is I say he is a Chilcotin cattle dog. As he has matured, I can now see the breeds he is mixed with much more distinctly. He is without a doubt mostly Australian cattle dog, followed strongly by border collie. Australian shepherd is the third mix, and finally a touch of German shepherd just for some added spice. With all those highly intelligent, independent-thinking and high-energy breeds in his genetic makeup, he had the potential to be a nightmare dog in the wrong home with little or no leadership. But due to the years of work I have put in, he now has the mental maturity to be a companion service dog, a working sheep- or cattle-herding dog, an agility superstar, and a kick-butt tracking and nosework dog. He has the potential to be so much more than a bully and I can’t wait to see where our journey takes us over the next decade. But for now, he is my riding buddy and a brother to my other two senior dogs Zumi and Piper.
Put the time into training young dogs and provide consistency with that training throughout their lives and you will also have an amazing dog that leaves more than just footprints on your heart.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her at [email protected].
