Rebels With Paws

Rebels with Paws

Teen angst doesn’t just affect humans but man’s best friend as well, according to new research.

Scientists in the United Kingdom found that dogs go through the same “rebellious” phase as humans during adolescence, Science Alert reported.

In their study, the research team analyzed the behavior of more than 370 pooches to observe whether their behavior changed as they aged.

They noted that once canines reached eight months – the start of puberty in dogs – their behavior shifted: They were less inclined to heed their owners.

In one experiment, the team observed how 93 dogs consisting of “teen” Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and mixed-breeds hesitated to follow a “sit” command when their owners ordered it.

The researchers added that this behavior was not present when the dogs were younger than eight months, or when they overcame their angsty phase.

Moreover, this defiant attitude was mostly directed at the owner and seen less often when strangers gave commands.

Lead researcher Lucy Asher explained that this is an important period in a dog’s life and that the pup needs patience and attention – like a human teenager.

“It’s very important that owners don’t punish their dogs for disobedience or start to pull away from them emotionally at this time,” said Asher.