The Phase Most Owners Struggle With

After talking about what to expect during that first year, I wanted to touch on a phase that almost every dog owner goes through—and often feels frustrated by.

It’s that stage where your puppy isn’t quite a baby anymore, but not fully mature either.

This is where things can start to feel inconsistent. Commands that were once easy suddenly feel ignored. Focus seems to drop. Boundaries get tested.

And it can feel like you’re going backwards. But you’re not.

What you’re seeing is your dog growing into themselves. They’re becoming more aware, more independent, and more confident in their environment. And with that comes testing—seeing what they can get away with and where the lines are.

This happens across all breeds. A Boerboel may begin to challenge leadership more directly, while a Yorkie, Shorkie, or Toy Aussie may start picking and choosing when they want to listen.

This is where consistency becomes everything.

A lot of people, without realizing it, loosen up during this stage. They stop reinforcing the basics as much or let small things slide because the dog “knows better.”

But this is actually the time to lean back into structure.

Go back to what you were doing in the beginning. Keep training sessions short and clear. Follow through when you give a command. Stay steady in your expectations.

This phase does pass, but how you handle it will shape the kind of adult dog you end up with.

Stay consistent, stay patient, and trust the process.