German Shepherd puppies often grow quickly, but physical size can be misleading. A young German Shepherd may look nearly full-grown while still thinking and behaving like an immature adolescent.
Between approximately 6 and 24 months of age, many German Shepherds enter a developmental stage that can test even experienced owners. A puppy that previously followed commands may suddenly seem distracted, independent, overly energetic, suspicious, or difficult to control.
This does not necessarily mean training has failed or that the dog has developed a bad temperament. Adolescence is a normal stage of development, but it requires consistency, patience, structure, and continued training.
At Vom Dreifke Shepherds, we believe owners should understand this stage before it begins. Knowing what to expect can prevent frustration and help young German Shepherds develop into dependable adult companions.
What Is German Shepherd Adolescence?
Adolescence is the transition between puppyhood and adulthood.
During this stage, a German Shepherd experiences major physical, hormonal, emotional, and behavioral changes. The dog may become stronger and more confident while still lacking mature judgment and impulse control.
Adolescent German Shepherds are often:
- Energetic
- Curious
- Easily distracted
- More independent
- More aware of their surroundings
- More physically powerful
- Emotionally inconsistent
- Likely to test previously established boundaries
The dog is not necessarily trying to dominate the owner. In many cases, the dog is simply learning how the world works and discovering which behaviors are allowed.
When Does Adolescence Begin?
German Shepherd adolescence often begins around 6 months of age, though timing varies.
Some behavioral changes may become noticeable earlier, while others appear closer to 9 or 12 months.
Large working breeds generally mature more slowly than small breeds. Many German Shepherds are not fully mentally mature until 2 to 3 years of age.
A dog may reach adult height before developing adult decision-making skills.
Common Signs of Adolescence
Owners may notice that their German Shepherd:
- Responds more slowly to commands
- Becomes distracted during training
- Pulls harder on the leash
- Ignores recall
- Jumps on people again
- Becomes more interested in other dogs
- Barks at unfamiliar people or sounds
- Tests household boundaries
- Steals or destroys objects
- Has difficulty settling
- Becomes more protective of the home
- Shows sudden bursts of energy
- Appears confident one day and uncertain the next
These behaviors do not mean the dog has forgotten everything.
Adolescent dogs often understand the command but struggle to choose obedience over a more exciting distraction.
Why Previously Learned Commands May Seem to Disappear
Many owners are surprised when a dog that reliably sat, stayed, or came when called begins ignoring those same commands.
The dog usually has not forgotten the training. The environment has become more important and exciting.
An adolescent German Shepherd may be more interested in:
- Smells
- Wildlife
- Passing dogs
- Visitors
- Vehicles
- Sounds outside
- Other people
- Movement in the distance
Commands must be practiced in gradually more distracting environments.
A dog that performs perfectly in the kitchen may not yet understand how to perform the same behavior at a busy park.
Training Must Continue Beyond Puppyhood
Puppy classes are an excellent beginning, but training should not end when the dog reaches 6 months old.
Adolescence is when consistent training becomes especially important.
Continue practicing:
- Sit
- Down
- Stay
- Come
- Place
- Leave it
- Drop it
- Heel or loose-leash walking
- Doorway manners
- Calm greetings
- Crate behavior
- Waiting for food
- Settling around distractions
Training sessions should remain clear and structured. Short, frequent sessions are often more effective than occasional long sessions.
Why Recall Often Becomes Unreliable
Recall is one of the most commonly affected skills during adolescence.
A young puppy may naturally stay close to the owner. As independence increases, the dog may begin exploring farther away and placing greater value on distractions.
Do not repeatedly call a dog that is likely to ignore you.
Instead:
- Use a long training line
- Practice in controlled areas
- Reward successful recalls
- Avoid chasing the dog
- Do not punish the dog after they return
- Gradually increase distractions
- Use high-value rewards when needed
Every ignored recall teaches the dog that coming is optional.
A long line allows the owner to reinforce the command safely without giving the dog complete freedom.
Leash Pulling May Become More Difficult
A German Shepherd that pulled lightly as a puppy can become difficult to control once they gain size and strength.
Leash training should begin before pulling becomes physically overpowering.
Practice:
- Rewarding attention near the owner
- Changing direction when the dog pulls
- Stopping forward movement when the leash becomes tight
- Walking in lower-distraction areas
- Keeping sessions short
- Using properly fitted equipment
- Teaching a clear heel position
Allowing pulling sometimes but correcting it at other times creates confusion.
Consistency matters more than strength.
Increased Barking and Alertness
As German Shepherds mature, they often become more aware of activity around the home.
An adolescent dog may begin barking at:
- Delivery drivers
- People walking past
- Vehicles
- Neighbors
- Unfamiliar sounds
- Guests entering the home
- Dogs outside
German Shepherds are naturally alert, but owners should teach when barking is appropriate and when the dog should disengage.
Useful commands may include:
- Quiet
- Place
- Leave it
- Come
- Watch me
- Kennel
The goal is not to eliminate awareness. The goal is to teach the dog to look to the owner for direction.
Testing Household Boundaries
Adolescent dogs often revisit behaviors that owners thought were resolved.
They may begin:
- Jumping on furniture
- Counter surfing
- Stealing food
- Ignoring doorway rules
- Pushing past people
- Taking household items
- Demanding attention
- Breaking stays
- Refusing to settle
This is why clear household expectations should remain consistent.
A behavior should not be allowed simply because the dog is tired, excited, or difficult to manage that day.
Every family member should follow the same rules whenever possible.
The Importance of Place Training
The place command can be especially valuable during adolescence.
A dog trained to remain on a designated bed or platform can learn to settle during:
- Family meals
- Guest visits
- Household activity
- Deliveries
- Cooking
- Children playing
- Cleaning
- Evening relaxation
Place training teaches emotional control, not just physical positioning.
The dog learns that they can remain calm even when something interesting is happening nearby.
Exercise Is Important, but More Is Not Always Better
Adolescent German Shepherds need appropriate physical activity, but constant intense exercise can create an increasingly conditioned athlete who still does not know how to settle.
Exercise should be balanced with:
- Obedience
- Scent work
- Structured walks
- Food puzzles
- Place training
- Calm chewing activities
- Short training sessions
- Rest
Repeated high-intensity ball chasing may tire the dog temporarily while increasing excitement and endurance over time.
A well-balanced German Shepherd should learn both how to work and how to relax.
Mental Stimulation Matters
German Shepherds are intelligent working dogs. Lack of mental stimulation can contribute to destructive or restless behavior.
Appropriate mental activities include:
- Searching for hidden food
- Learning new commands
- Tracking games
- Puzzle feeders
- Controlled tug
- Obedience routines
- Scent-based activities
- Practicing commands in new locations
Mental work does not need to be complicated.
Even asking the dog to sit, wait, make eye contact, and follow a release command before receiving food can build self-control.
Adolescent Chewing and Destruction
Although teething is usually ending, adolescent dogs may continue chewing because of boredom, stress, habit, or excess energy.
Common targets include:
- Shoes
- Furniture
- Remote controls
- Children’s toys
- Bedding
- Trim
- Clothing
- Trash
- Outdoor objects
Preventing access is part of training.
Use crates, gates, closed doors, supervision, and appropriate chew items. Allowing the dog to repeatedly destroy objects gives the behavior more opportunity to become established.
Freedom should be earned gradually.
Socialization Still Matters
Socialization should continue beyond early puppyhood.
Adolescent German Shepherds may begin viewing unfamiliar people, dogs, or environments differently as they mature.
Continue exposing the dog to:
- Calm public environments
- New surfaces
- Controlled traffic
- People of different appearances
- Appropriate dogs
- Veterinary handling
- Grooming
- Vehicles
- Household sounds
- Training in new locations
Socialization does not mean greeting everyone.
A well-socialized German Shepherd should be able to observe people and dogs without becoming fearful, overly excited, or uncontrollable.
Dog Parks May Not Be the Best Choice
Dog parks often involve unknown dogs, unpredictable behavior, limited owner control, and excessive excitement.
Negative interactions during adolescence can affect future behavior.
Safer options may include:
- Play with known, stable dogs
- Structured training groups
- Parallel walks
- Controlled socialization
- Supervised one-on-one interaction
Not every German Shepherd needs to play with unfamiliar dogs.
Neutrality around other dogs is often more valuable than constant interaction.
Hormonal and Sexual Maturity
As adolescent German Shepherds reach sexual maturity, owners may notice new behaviors.
Males may:
- Mark more frequently
- Become distracted by female dogs
- Show increased interest in scents
- Mount
- Challenge boundaries
Females may:
- Enter their first heat cycle
- Become more affectionate or withdrawn
- Show mood changes
- Attract male dogs
- Attempt to escape
Owners should use secure fencing, leashes, supervision, and careful management.
Hormonal changes do not eliminate the need for training. They make consistent handling even more important.
Fear and Confidence Changes
Adolescence may include periods of temporary sensitivity.
A dog may suddenly react to something that previously seemed harmless.
The German Shepherd may bark, hesitate, freeze, or back away from:
- Unfamiliar objects
- New people
- Loud noises
- Moving decorations
- Dark areas
- Changes in the environment
Avoid forcing interaction or punishing fear.
Create distance, remain calm, reward recovery, and allow the dog to investigate gradually.
Avoid Giving Too Much Freedom Too Soon
A common mistake is treating a physically large adolescent like a fully trained adult.
The dog may not yet be ready for:
- Unsupervised access to the entire home
- Off-leash freedom
- Uncontrolled greetings
- Free access to visitors
- Long periods outside alone
- Sleeping loose at night
- Being left with valuable objects
Freedom should increase as the dog demonstrates reliable behavior.
Management is not a failure. It prevents the dog from practicing unwanted habits.
Crate Training Is Still Useful
Some owners stop using the crate once their puppy appears house-trained.
However, a crate can remain useful during adolescence for:
- Preventing destruction
- Encouraging rest
- Managing visitors
- Traveling
- Veterinary recovery
- Maintaining routine
- Preventing unsafe access
The crate should not be used as punishment.
It should remain a familiar, comfortable place where the dog can settle safely.
Rest Is Essential
Overtired adolescent dogs may become:
- Mouthy
- Wild
- Irritable
- Reactive
- Destructive
- Unable to focus
- Difficult to settle
Young dogs still need significant rest, even when they appear energetic.
A predictable schedule that includes exercise, training, meals, quiet time, and sleep can improve behavior.
Avoid Inconsistent Corrections
Correcting a dog only after becoming frustrated creates confusion.
Owners should address behavior early and calmly.
For example, if jumping is not allowed, it should not be encouraged when the dog is clean but punished when the dog is muddy.
If pulling is not allowed, the dog should not be permitted to drag the owner toward selected people or dogs.
Clear expectations help the dog understand what works.
Do Not Compare Your Dog to Others
German Shepherds mature at different rates.
One dog may appear focused and serious at 10 months, while another remains playful and immature well beyond a year.
Development depends on:
- Genetics
- Temperament
- Training
- Environment
- Health
- Exercise
- Household structure
- Previous experiences
Focus on steady progress rather than comparing your adolescent dog with a fully mature adult.
When to Seek Professional Training
Professional help may be appropriate when the dog:
- Is difficult to control physically
- Shows increasing aggression
- Guards food, toys, or people
- Lunges at dogs or strangers
- Cannot settle in the home
- Ignores recall
- Displays severe fear
- Has bitten a person or animal
- Shows behavior that is getting worse
- Causes the owner to feel unsafe
Early guidance can prevent adolescent behavior from becoming a long-term habit.
Choose a trainer who understands working breeds, German Shepherd development, and the difference between fear, excitement, and aggression.
How Long Does Adolescence Last?
Adolescence does not end on one specific date.
Behavior often improves gradually as the dog matures and training becomes more established.
Many German Shepherds begin showing greater emotional stability between 18 and 24 months, but some continue maturing until 3 years old.
Progress may not be perfectly consistent.
Owners may experience several good weeks followed by a temporary setback. This is normal during development.
Final Thoughts
The adolescent stage can be one of the most demanding parts of raising a German Shepherd, but it is also one of the most important.
The dog is becoming larger, stronger, more observant, and more independent. Continued training during this stage shapes the adult dog they will become.
Remain consistent. Maintain structure. Supervise carefully. Practice obedience in different environments. Reward calm behavior and do not give more freedom than the dog is prepared to handle.
With patience and clear guidance, the challenging adolescent phase can lead to a confident, trustworthy, and well-mannered adult German Shepherd.
At Vom Dreifke Shepherds, we prepare our puppies for life beyond our home and provide continued support to help families through every stage of development.
To learn more about our German Shepherd puppies, training services, and breeding program in Dinwiddie, Virginia, visit vomdreifkeshepherds.com.