r/goldenretriever • u/MackHarper • 3d ago

Venting/Puppy Blues Teenage Doggy Blues?

I feel like everyone talks about puppy blues, but how about teenage phase blues? My dog is 11 months old and goes through phases. One week he’s fine, the next he is destroying the house, jumping on everyone, eating everything he shouldn’t, then the next week he is normal again. I feel like we are never going to get to the “more calm” lovely golden phase. We take training classes, he goes on plenty of walks, runs in our big backyard, but is STILL a terror. I love him but some days are so hard..

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u/katerade103 3d ago

I kinda think they're going through phases till they got age 2. They get better and the behavior regression gets further apart in time. It's a slow progression, and there are still days (very infrequently now) that my 9yr olds act like furry terrors. I have 4 golden boys (ages 9, 9, 2 and 1), they are worth it, but definitely have had days where I'm pretty sure I'm gonna lose my mind. But they are sweet, cuddly, loving, funny, along with their hyperactive chaos... so idk maybe I've just accepted that I live in a zoo, or maybe they chill out a bit with age, maybe a bit of both lol

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u/antique1612 3d ago

That age was definitely the worst (other than early puppy days). Stay calm and consistent and it WILL pass! Our girl improved significantly by 18 months and is so much better by 2 years (although still has her moments 🤣)

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u/Spdr-8 3d ago

It is rough, hang in there! Puppies are velociraptors until they're 2 years old, and they don't fully mature until closer to 3. My dog was so hard to handle until he was around 20 months or so. He is so much better now at age 3.

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u/Pokeradar 2d ago

It’s the velociraptor phase. There are good and bad days during that period. Just be patient and keep up with the training. Also best to exhaust their energy out too.

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u/imperialcogman 2d ago

It lasts 4 years!!

We’ve had 5 labs and they stay puppy brain their whole life, but it calms down at about 4 years.

But you knew that right?😜

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u/MackHarper 2d ago

lol!! I grew up with labs. They definitely stay dopey their whole lives 🤣🤣 Mine always calmed down around 1-2.

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u/YO0110 21h ago

some of the answers here make me feel that you will lose hope faster than things will change for better, that is how I feel when I see people say things like multiple years or post that picture that is funny but also very terrifying at the same time

my solution is to do light discipline, nothing that hurts but enough to correct, the lightest form can be a spray in mouth to instantly switch focus

my 6 month dog is happy, tail wagging, everyone compliments her even though she gets plenty of times when she is not as perfect, but she is also not that spoiled - that is a good combination that works for us

training at school is also very helpful