SDTI Monthly Newsletter
August 2026 Edition
Get future newsletters in your RSS reader Adolescence in Service Dog — Thriving During Development
Adolescence is a time of significant developmental change for dogs, yet few people discuss the impacts it has on behavior. This newsletter does!
Mini Quiz Challenge
What is the best age to spay or neuter a service dog candidate?
A) Every dog should be spayed or neutered at 6 months of age.
B) Every dog should remain intact until 2 years of age.
C) The timing should be based only on whether the dog has reached physical maturity.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when deciding when to spay or neuter a dog. Research has shown that breed and sex can influence the potential risks and benefits of different timing decisions. The 2020 study by Hart et al., Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for 35 Breeds of Dogs: Associated Joint Disorders, Cancers, and Urinary Incontinence, found significant differences among breeds in health outcomes associated with neutering age.They did a second study as well. Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for Mixed Breed Dogs of Five Weight Categories: Associated Joint Disorders and Cancers.Â
Did You Know?
That a dog who was previously confident may suddenly become cautious about new people, places, or experiences. This is a normal developmental stage. Allow your adolescent dog time to process, avoid forcing interactions, and continue building confidence through positive, supported experiences.
That adolescence is often when service dog candidates appear to “forget” behaviours they already know?
Changes in the developing brain can affect focus, impulse control, and confidence. Temporary inconsistency is a normal part of development—not a sign that your training has failed.
That adolescence is a critical time for building emotional resilience?
Carefully paced exposure to new places, people, and situations helps your service dog candidate learn that the world is safe and that they can rely on you for support.
That more exercise is not always the answer for an adolescent service dog who is struggling?
Adolescent dogs often need opportunities to practice calmness, problem-solving, and settling—not just more physical activity. Learning to regulate arousal is an important working skill.
Featured Resources
Free Blog Post: Dealing with the Crazy Adolescent Brain! (Part 1 of 3)
My dog has just turned 8 months and life is a Gong show. He’s forgotten all his manners and jumps on me and everyone else. He is chewing things, stealing things and runs away. I got him from a breeder who has specialized in therapy and service dogs for many years. With my disabilities, I am having problems managing this behavior.  What can I do?
Social Play is an Important Aspect During Adolescence
Discover what are normal behaviors during play in this fun to watch video.
Paid Blog Post: Service Dog Adolescence: A Trainer's Guide to Helping Dog–Handler Teams Thrive
When adolescent service dogs suddenly change, is it training or development? Learn how trainers can support service dog teams through this critical stage.
Training Tips
Go Back to the basics
If your dog is showing signs he’s have a hard time with adjusting to new or even familiar locations away from home, Withdraw from the more challenging locations and improve on the basics in familiar environments. Extend the learning even further, but be creative in doing so. That will set him up for success when he’s ready to back out. It’s not failure, it’s rebuilding the foundations while his brain and body are re-organizing.
Desirable Behavior is Contagious
In adolescence, dogs are struggling to learn what is acceptable behavior. Find a few socially and behaviorally solid dogs to interact with and train alongside on a regular basis. Their presence can create a model for your dog’s behavior as he matures.
Meet Your Dog Where He Is
Adolescence is a time of rapid change, and every service dog candidate moves through it differently. When introducing your adolescent dog to new environments, people, or situations, let their emotional and developmental stage guide the pace.
Meeting your adolescent dog where they are today builds confidence, strengthens your partnership, and creates a foundation for steady, reliable service dog work tomorrow.
NEW! Treibball Online Class
New Course Now Available: Online Treibball Skills Class!
I’m excited to announce that my new self-paced Online Treibball Foundations course! Train whenever it fits your schedule using simple, inexpensive equipment that most people already have around the house.
This isn’t just a course about teaching dogs to push exercise balls. It’s a step-by-step program that teaches how to train using shaping, stimulus control, reinforcement placement, problem-solving, and thoughtful progression. You’ll learn how to break complex behaviors into small, achievable steps so both you and your dog can succeed.
Service dog handlers will develop valuable training skills while improving their dog’s focus, self-control, confidence, body awareness, and ability to work through challenges.
Dog sports enthusiasts will enjoy a fun, engaging activity that builds teamwork and provides excellent mental enrichment while laying the foundation for future Treibball competition.
Professional trainers will gain a complete training system that demonstrates how to teach complex behavior chains using clear mechanics and positive reinforcement. The techniques taught throughout the course transfer well beyond Treibball to many other training goals.
The self-paced course includes more than 30 practical training videos, theory lessons, troubleshooting tips, and a supportive discussion forum where you can ask questions and share your progress. Train at your own pace, revisit lessons whenever needed, and build strong training skills that will benefit you and your dog for years to come.
Ready to get started? Join the Online Treibball Foundations course today and discover how building a strong foundation makes advanced training easier, more enjoyable, and more successful.
SKILLS THAT CARRY OVER TO SERVICE DOG WORK
| Treibball skill | Service task it strengthens |
|---|---|
| Nose & body targeting | Deep pressure therapy, medical alerts, button pressing |
| Distance work | Retrieve, fetch, room-clearing, going for help |
| Impulse control under arousal | Public access stays, crowd blocking, self-regulation |
| Problem solving and persistence | Working through novel situations without frustration |
FREE QA Chat
Date: Sat. August 8, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM PDT (Pacific/Vancouver) | 20:00 UTC
Your Local Time: Click here to see this in your time zone
Topic: Thriving During Adolescence in Service Dogs
You are not alone! Bring your questions, share your experience and find solutions to the Crazy Adolescent Brain. Meet our community! Please arrive on time.Â
The QA Chat will be recorded and added to the library so if you cannot attend, it will be available. At just CA$11 per month (~US$8.10), it’s a great way to support us. Sign up for a day, get access for the month. Cancel anytime!