Puberty and adolescence in dogs and cats

My dog hasn't been listening for a few months. My puppy is becoming disobedient as a teenager. My dog has recently started testing his limits. Between 6 and 18 months depending on the breed in dogs, and a little earlier in cats, your pet goes through a normal stage of development: puberty. It may become more assertive, more independent, test certain limits, become more territorial or seem less cooperative than before.

This is not defiance: your dog or cat is building its adult personality and looking for its place in its environment. A clear and consistent framework helps it get through this adolescent period calmly.

In cats, puberty (sexual maturity, around 6–10 months) should also be distinguished from social maturity, which comes later, usually between 2 and 4 years of age. This is when tensions over status can appear or resurface between cats in the household, even in animals neutered long ago.

However, if these changes become significant or persistent, or come with aggression, it is best not to wait before seeking help, so that the situation does not become entrenched.