🐾 Module 2

Growing Pains, Gangly Legs & Teen Attitude

Somewhere between “adorable baby” and “reasonable adult”, your dog becomes…
a teenager.

They suddenly:

• Eat like a horse
• Listen like a cat
• Trip over their own feet
• Forget everything they previously knew

And yet somehow burn calories just by existing.

Welcome to adolescence.

🧠 What Actually Changes During Dog Adolescence

Your dog’s body and brain are doing a lot at once.
This is a transition phase, not a free-for-all.

🦴 Physical Changes

• Growth slows, butdoesn’t stop
• Muscles start developing
• Bones are still maturing
• Joints are vulnerable (especially in big dogs)

Your dog may look:

• Tall and skinny
• Awkward and uncoordinated
• Like they were assembled in a hurry

This is normal.
Do not try to “fill them out” with extra food.

⚡ Energy Levels Stay Ridiculously High

Despite slower growth, your dog:

• Has endless energy
• Needs mental and physical outlets
• Appears to be powered by chaos

More energy does not mean they need more food.
It means they need:

• Exercise
• Training
• Enrichment

Calories are not a substitute for activity.

🍽️ Appetite Changes (And Confusion Begins)

Some adolescent dogs:

• Act constantly hungry
• Eat faster
• Beg harder
• Pretend they’re wasting away

Others:

• Suddenly lose interest in meals
• Become “picky”
• Skip meals occasionally

Both can be normal.

This is where many owners panic.

🧬 Hormones Enter the Chat

Adolescence brings:

• Hormonal shifts
• Mood swings
• Behaviour changes
• Selective hearing

This can impact:

• Appetite
• Digestion
• Attention span

Food is not the solution to teenage attitude.

🚫 What This Is Not the Time For

This stage can feel chaotic — but feeding mistakes here cause long-term problems.

❌ Overfeeding

Extra food does not:

• Speed maturity
• Improve behaviour
• Fix awkward phases

It does increase the risk of:

• Obesity
• Joint issues
• Long-term health problems

❌ Panicking About Every Change

Teenage dogs are inconsistent by nature.

One skipped meal ≠ a crisis.
One hungry day ≠ starvation.

Observe patterns, not moments.

❌ Switching Foods Every Week

Frequent food changes:

• Upset digestion
• Mask real issues
• Create picky eaters

Consistency allows you to tell what’s actually working.

🥣 Should You Change Your Dog’s Food Yet?

Short answer: Probably not.

Your dog is still growing — even if they don’t look like it.

🐕 When to Stay on Puppy Food

Stick with a high-quality puppy food until:

• Small breeds:~10–12 months
• Medium breeds:~12 months
• Large & giant breeds:12–18 months

Large and giant breeds in particular need:

• Controlled calories
• Balanced minerals
• Slow, steady growth

🦴 Why Large Dogs Need Extra Caution

Big dogs grow fast — and that’s the problem.

Rapid growth increases the risk of:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow issues
• Joint stress

Switching to adult food too early can:

• Disrupt bone development
• Reduce long-term soundness

Bigger dog ≠ faster food upgrade.

🍽️ Real-World Feeding Examples

🐕 Example 1: The “Always Hungry” Teen

Your dog eats meals, begs constantly, and stares at you like you’re cruel.

✔ Keep portions consistent
✔ Increase exercise, not food
✔ Ignore the drama

Hunger behaviour ≠ nutritional deficiency.

🐕 Example 2: The Suddenly Fussy Eater

Your dog skips a meal or eats slowly.

✔ Leave food down 15–20 minutes
✔ Remove uneaten food
✔ Offer next meal as scheduled

Healthy dogs don’t starve themselves.

🐕 Example 3: The Gangly Giant Breed

Your large dog looks skinny, awkward, and all legs.

✔ Stay on large-breed puppy food
✔ Avoid supplements unless vet-directed
✔ Focus on slow, steady growth

Awkward now often means strong later.

🧠 Key Takeaway for This Stage

Adolescence is about:

• Stability
• Consistency
• Patience

Your dog doesn’t need:

• Extra food
• Constant changes
• Panic-driven decisions

They need:

• Appropriate nutrition
• Routine
• Time to grow into themselves

Even if they act like lunatics in the meantime.