6 Dog Behaviors Most Puppies Grow Out Of

Many puppy behaviors feel overwhelming in the moment, but several of the most common issues truly do improve as dogs mature. While not every problem disappears on its own, normal development and kind, consistent guidance can dramatically reduce certain troublesome habits.

This article walks through six behavioral issues that most dogs grow out of, why they happen, and how you can support your dog during each stage so those behaviors fade as smoothly as possible.

Understanding Which Behaviors Dogs Outgrow

Before diving into specifics, it helps to distinguish between behaviors driven mainly by developmental stages (which often improve with age) and behaviors that are learned and reinforced (which usually persist without training). Veterinary and behavioral sources note that many normal puppy behaviors, such as chewing during teething or short bursts of hyperactivity, tend to decrease as the dog’s brain and body mature, especially when owners provide structure and enrichment.

On the other hand, persistent problems such as serious aggression, chronic fear, or long-standing resource guarding rarely disappear without targeted behavior work. Knowing which category a behavior fits into helps you decide when to be patient and when to seek professional help.

1. Submissive Urination

Submissive urination happens when a dog pees in response to feeling intimidated, excited, or socially overwhelmed. It is most common in puppies and young dogs and is generally a communication signal, not a house-training failure.

Why it happens

Submissive urination is usually related to:

• A lack of confidence or social maturity
• Feeling threatened, even by well-meaning people leaning over, reaching, or scolding
• Overexcitement when greeting family members or visitors

As a puppy’s nervous system and social skills mature, this type of urination typically decreases—especially if guardians respond calmly rather than punishing the dog.

How to help your dog grow out of it

• Keep greetings low-key: ask visitors to crouch sideways, speak softly, and avoid looming or direct eye contact.
• Let your dog approach people on their own instead of being pulled forward.
• Use treats and calm praise for confident approaches without accidents.
• Avoid punishment altogether; scolding often worsens submissive urination by increasing anxiety.

With time and gentle handling, many dogs naturally gain confidence and stop peeing during greetings or stressful social moments.

2. Peeing and Pooping in the House

House soiling is one of the most stressful puppy issues for guardians, but it is also one of the most reliably resolved with maturity and deliberate training. Veterinary behavior guidance emphasizes that frequent supervised trips outside, rewarding elimination in the correct spot, and avoiding punishment are the foundations of successful house training.

Why young dogs have accidents

• Immature bladder and bowel control
• Not fully understanding where they are supposed to go
• Inconsistent schedules or limited opportunities to go outside
• Accidental reinforcement of going indoors (for example, attention or cleaning up in front of them)

House-training strategies that speed up the process

• Supervision: Keep your puppy within sight using baby gates, leashes, or confinement when you cannot watch them.
• Predictable routines: Take them out after waking, after eating or drinking, after play, and before bed.
• Reward outside elimination: Give treats and praise immediately after they finish, while you are still outside.
• Calm cleanup indoors: Clean accidents with an enzymatic cleaner and avoid scolding, which can make puppies hide when they need to eliminate.

Most healthy dogs with consistent routines and reinforcement grow out of indoor accidents as they reach physical and behavioral maturity.

3. Puppy Mouthing and Nipping

Puppy mouthing—using teeth on hands, clothes, or hair—is extremely common. It can be painful and frustrating, but it is closely tied to normal development, teething, and play.

Why puppies use their mouths so much

• Teething discomfort between about 3 and 6 months of age
• Exploring the world through their mouths
• Play and social communication, learned from littermates and other dogs

While some puppies calm down naturally as their adult teeth come in, guidance is still important so they learn appropriate bite inhibition and gentle play.

Teaching your puppy polite mouth manners

• Provide a variety of safe, vet-approved chew toys to redirect biting.
• When your puppy bites too hard, calmly stop interacting for a few seconds, then resume with a toy.
• Avoid rough play that encourages biting at hands or sleeves.
• Supervise interactions between puppies and children so no one gets overwhelmed.

Most dogs naturally become less mouthy as teething ends and their impulse control improves, especially if they have been gently redirected and rewarded for softer behavior.

4. Adolescent Shyness and Startle Behavior

Many guardians know that puppies have a “fear period” early in life, but fewer realize that dogs may also pass through an adolescent shyness phase. During this time, dogs can suddenly seem more suspicious, jumpy, or wary of people and objects they previously ignored.

What adolescent shyness looks like

• Startling at everyday noises or movement
• Backing away from friendly strangers or unfamiliar dogs
• Hesitating at new surfaces, environments, or objects
• Acting clingier with familiar family members while avoiding others

Changes in brain development and hormones during adolescence can make dogs temporarily more reactive to stimuli. With ongoing positive experiences, many dogs regain their prior confidence.

Helping your dog through this “spooked” stage

• Continue low-pressure socialization: short, positive exposures to people, places, and sounds.
• Let your dog choose distance; do not force greetings or approaches.
• Pair new or concerning things with treats, play, or other rewards.
• Consult your veterinarian or a credentialed behavior professional if fear is intense, persists, or escalates into aggression.

For many dogs, this shy stage is temporary. With patient support, they often emerge as more stable, confident adults.

5. Adolescent Hyperactivity and Restlessness

Adolescent dogs are famous for being wild, restless, and distractible. Even dogs who were easy puppies often seem to “forget” their manners for a while. Veterinary and behavior sources note that rowdy behavior frequently decreases over time when dogs receive appropriate exercise, mental enrichment, and consistent training.

Why adolescent dogs feel so intense

• Surging energy as their bodies grow and strengthen
• Brain regions related to impulse control are still developing
• Increased curiosity about the environment
• Testing boundaries, much like human teenagers

Managing and channeling that energy

• Physical exercise: Age-appropriate walks, play, and off-leash time in safe areas.
• Mental enrichment: Puzzle feeders, sniff walks, training games, and scent work.
• Training consistency: Short, fun sessions to practice basic cues like sit, down, come, and settle.
• Structured downtime: Teaching a “go to mat” or “settle” cue and providing calm spaces for rest.

As dogs transition from adolescence to adulthood, their baseline activity levels typically decrease, and they develop more “off switches” for relaxation—especially if those skills are gently encouraged while they are young.

6. Short Attention Span and Selective Listening

Many guardians worry that their dog is “stubborn” when they are really just young and easily distracted. A short attention span is normal in puppies and adolescents, and it typically improves as the dog’s brain matures and training history grows.

Why young dogs seem to ignore you

• Distractions win: other dogs, smells, and sounds are more interesting than your cue.
• Training repetitions have been too few or only practiced in quiet environments.
• Reinforcement has been inconsistent or too weak compared with competing rewards.
• Fatigue or stress makes it harder for the dog to focus.

Building better focus over time

• Start training in low-distraction environments and gradually move to harder locations.
• Use high-value rewards, especially in challenging settings.
• Keep sessions short and upbeat; stop before your dog checks out.
• Practice simple attention games, such as rewarding your dog for looking at you voluntarily.

With repetition and maturity, most dogs become more responsive and reliable. A previously scattered adolescent often turns into a focused adult partner when training has been positive and consistent.

Behaviors Dogs Usually Do Not Grow Out Of

It is important not to assume that every problem behavior will fade with age. Canine training and behavior professionals consistently emphasize that many issues worsen if not actively addressed, including:

• Chronic fear or phobias
• Serious resource guarding or aggression around food and toys
• Separation-related distress and panic
• Reactivity or aggression toward other dogs or people

If your dog shows intense fear, bites, or causes injuries, or if their behavior is getting progressively worse, consult your veterinarian and a certified behavior professional. Early intervention is far more effective than waiting to see if the dog will “grow out of it.”

Positive Training Helps Developmental Issues Fade Faster

Even for behaviors that usually improve with age, you can make your dog’s journey easier—and your household calmer—by using reward-based training and good management. Veterinary behavior resources regard positive reinforcement methods as effective and lower-risk compared with punishment-based techniques.

Key principles

• Reinforce what you like: reward calm, polite behavior generously.
• Prevent rehearsal of unwanted behavior whenever possible.
• Keep expectations realistic for your dog’s age and stage.
• Ask for professional help early if you are worried or stuck.

When developmental phases are met with patience, structure, and kindness, many “annoying” puppy habits truly do become distant memories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: At what age do most dogs grow out of puppy behaviors?

A: Many dogs show big improvements in house training, mouthing, and general calmness between 6 and 18 months, but full behavioral maturity often arrives around 2–3 years of age depending on size, breed, and individual history.

Q: How do I know if my dog’s behavior is a phase or a serious problem?

A: If behavior is mild, improving slowly, and manageable with simple training and management, it is often developmental. If it is intense, worsening, causes injury or significant fear, or disrupts daily life, it is time to consult your veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional.

Q: Can I just wait for my dog to grow out of bad behaviors?

A: Waiting without changing anything is risky. Normal developmental issues may ease with age, but many serious problems persist or escalate without training and support. Combining patience with positive reinforcement gives your dog the best chance to improve.

Q: Does neutering or spaying make behavior problems go away?

A: Spay/neuter can affect hormone-driven behaviors, but it does not replace training. Learned habits, fear, and aggression generally require behavior modification and management even after surgery. Discuss timing and expectations with your veterinarian based on your individual dog.

Q: When should I involve a professional trainer or behaviorist?

A: Seek help any time you feel overwhelmed, confused, or concerned about safety, or when your dog’s behavior is not improving despite consistent effort. Early, evidence-based guidance can prevent small issues from becoming long-term problems.

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medha deb

 

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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