One of the Riskiest Assumptions Dog Owners Make: "He'll Grow Out of It"

One of the most common things dog owners say - especially with puppies or adolescent dogs - is:

• "He's just a puppy."

• "He'll calm down."

• "He'll grow out of it."

It's an understandable belief. After all, human kids mature, phases pass, and energy levels change.

But with dogs, this assumption can quietly create long-term behavior problems.

A young dog chewing on a shoe, showing common problem behavior that owners hope will fade

Dogs Don’t Outgrow Behaviors — They Practice Them

Dogs learn through repetition.

Every time a dog jumps, pulls on the leash, ignores commands, barks excessively, or reacts emotionally to something... they are rehearsing a pattern, not just expressing a phase.

If a behavior is repeated, it becomes:

• More automatic

• More efficient

• More deeply ingrained

Time alone doesn't erase habits - experience shapes them.

Problem Behaviors Tend to Strengthen, Not Fade

Ignoring problem behaviors or hoping they will disappear can backfire. Many behaviors that owners hope will disappear actually worsen with age. For example:

• Jumping becomes stronger, more forceful

• Pulling becomes harder to manage physically

• Excitability turns into frustration or reactivity

• Ignoring cues becomes selective listening

• Mild anxiety develops into bigger emotional responses

Why?

Because the dog has spent months (or years) practicing the exact behavior we don't want. This is why waiting often makes training more difficult and time-consuming.

Adolescence Is the Surprise Phase

Around 6-24 months, many owners are shocked when their "sweet puppy" suddenly becomes:

• More reactive

• More stubborn

• More intense

• More easily overstimulated

In reality, adolescence doesn't create new problems - it magnifies existing patterns.

Behaviors that were tolerated early often resurface bigger, louder, and harder to change.

Waiting Often Makes Training Harder

Delaying training or intervention can make problems worse. When owners wait for a dog to “grow out of it,” they miss the chance to teach alternative behaviors or reinforce good habits early on. This delay can lead to:

• Increased frustration for both dog and owner

• More time and effort needed to undo bad habits

• Potential safety risks if aggressive or fearful behaviors develop

  
  

Starting training early, even with simple commands and boundaries, helps dogs learn what is expected and builds a foundation for good behavior.

Early behaviors are easier to modify because:

• Habits are weaker

• Emotional responses are less fixed

• The dog is more adaptable

• Owners aren't yet frustrated

The longer a dog practices unwanted behaviors, the more training shifts from guidance to rehabilitation.

Growing Out of It vs Learning Better Skills

The phrase “growing out of it” suggests that time alone fixes behavior. In reality, dogs need to learn better skills to replace unwanted behaviors.

Dogs absolutely mature.

Energy levels shift. Impulse control improves. Confidence increases.

But maturity works with training, not instead of it.

Dogs don't magically stop jumping - they learn impulse control.

Dogs don't magically stop reacting - they learn emotional regulation.

Dogs don't magically start listening - they learn clarity and consistency.

Training provides dogs with clear guidance and helps them develop self-control. This approach is more effective than hoping behaviors disappear on their own.

A dog focused on a trainer during a sit command, illustrating early intervention in training

The Good News: Early Intervention Works

Most common behavior issues are very fixable when addressed early.

Small adjustments in structure, expectations, and communication can prevent:

• Reactivity

• Anxiety patterns

• Leash struggles

• Household chaos

• Owner frustration

Training early is not about being strict.

It's about giving dogs clear skills for the human world they live in.

Practical Tips for Early Intervention

• Observe and identify problem behaviors early.

• Redirect unwanted behaviors to positive alternatives.

• Reward good behavior with praise, or play.

• Set clear boundaries and be consistent with rules.

• Seek professional help if behaviors escalate or become difficult to manage.

  
  

Final Thoughts

"He'll grow out of it" feels comforting.

But in dog behavior, waiting often means allowing patterns to deepen.

Dogs don't outgrow habits.

They grow into whatever they repeatedly practice.

And the earlier we guide those patterns, the easier life becomes - for both dog and owner.