The Puppy Diaries: Adolescence

Adolescence can be the bane of both parents and puppy people. Just like a teenager, an adolescent dog will start to “test” her environment. While some annoying puppy behaviors may go away, they can be replaced by other ever more annoying – or even dangerous – behaviors. (Please note, sometimes the puppy behaviors don’t even go away. They only will if you take the time to work with your puppy.)

The latest Puppy Diaries takes us through Scout’s graduation from Puppy Kindergarten and to a few visits with and from some of her friends. Scout is an adolescent now: she weighs in at around 50 pounds and is displaying more confidence than she did a few months ago.

In Scout’s case this is a good thing. She’s finished puppy kindergarten with a great trainer, has attentive parents and is growing up in a carefully managed and supportive environment. Yes, she’s going to have some slip-ups like she has with Mr. Abramson’s eyeglasses and the sausage. These slip-ups are almost unavoidable and the fact that Mrs. Abramson is good-humored enough to write about them means that Scout has a wonderful home.

Mrs. Abramson’s descriptions of Scout’s play, and the changes she has seen as Scout has grown, are marvelous. Watching dogs play is truly a privilege and it’s great to see that Mrs. Abramson is providing Scout with so many opportunities and paying attention to them too. Scout has benefited from her time in kindergarten and is growing up to be a balanced, well-mannered adult.