Ever feel like your dog just refuses to mature? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? Here are the signs that your dog might still be stuck in perpetual puppyhood.
1. Constantly Chasing Squirrels
Chasing squirrels is endearing in a puppy, but less so in a fully-grown dog. You’d think by now they’d realise they’re never going to catch one.
2. Incessant Barking at Strangers
Barking at every stranger might have been cute at first, but now it’s just annoying. Shouldn’t they have figured out the postman is not a threat by now?
3. Jumping Up on Guests
A full-grown dog jumping up on guests is embarrassing and sometimes painful. It’s high time they learned some manners and kept all four paws on the ground.
4. Chewing on Everything
Chewing on shoes and furniture might be expected from a teething puppy, but an adult dog should know better. The cost of replacing chewed-up items is adding up quickly.
5. Digging Holes in the Garden
Digging holes was a forgivable puppy habit, but now it’s ruining your garden. This behaviour should have been left behind long ago.
6. Ignoring Commands
Selective hearing is not endearing when your dog is an adult. Consistently ignoring basic commands is a sign of perpetual puppy syndrome.
7. Overexcitement Around Other Dogs
While socialising is important, going berserk every time they see another dog is not. By now, they should know how to keep their cool.
8. Still Not House-Trained
Accidents in the house are acceptable for a new puppy, but not for a dog in their mid-20s in dog years. This is a clear sign that training has not stuck.
9. Overreacting to Car Rides
Getting overly excited or scared during car rides indicates your dog hasn’t outgrown their puppy anxieties. Trips to the vet or park shouldn’t feel like a dramatic ordeal every time.
10. Fear of Common Household Noises
Being startled by vacuum cleaners or dishwashers should be a thing of the past. Continuous fear of household noises suggests they haven’t matured mentally.
11. Begging for Food at the Table
Begging at the dinner table is cute once or twice, but a dog should learn to eat their own food. This habit is just plain annoying now.
12. Excessive Whining
Whining for attention is understandable in a young pup, but not in an adult dog. It’s a sign that they haven’t learned more mature ways to communicate.
13. Obsessive Licking
Constantly licking people or objects is a behaviour that should be managed. It’s not only annoying but can also be unhygienic.
14. Destroying Toys
An adult dog should play with toys, not destroy them within minutes. Continually buying new toys is costly and frustrating.
15. Overly Protective
Being overly protective of you or their toys shows a lack of maturity. They should know by now that not everything is a threat.
16. Struggling with Basic Leash Training
Pulling on the leash or refusing to walk properly should be resolved in puppyhood. If this is still happening, it’s a sign they haven’t grown up.
17. Jumping on Furniture
A full-grown dog should know where they’re allowed and not allowed. Jumping on the furniture as they please is a sign of disregard for house rules.
18. Attention-Seeking Behaviour
Constantly demanding attention through barking, nudging, or whining is exhausting. They should have learned more appropriate ways to get your attention by now.
Time for Tough Love
It’s time to accept that your dog might never fully grow up. While it’s endearing, it’s also important to enforce boundaries to ensure both your sanity and their well-being. Are you doing enough to help your dog transition from perpetual puppy to a mature adult?
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jaromir Chalabala.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
