4-Week Enrichment-Based Training Plan for Adolescent Dogs (6–18 Months)

If your 6–18 month-old dog suddenly ignores cues, grabs anything not nailed down, and zoomies through your living room at 9 PM, you’re not alone. Adolescence can feel like you’re living with a tiny tornado. The good news? An enrichment-based training plan for adolescent dogs gives that energy a job, builds impulse control, and restores focus without marathon training sessions. In just 10–20 minutes a day, you can reduce chaos and boost calm.

This 4-week program blends short, engaging training with budget-friendly enrichment. You’ll get daily plans, clear goals, progress metrics, and troubleshooting. Let’s turn that mayhem into momentum.

Why adolescent dogs feel “harder” than puppies

Adolescence (roughly 6–18 months) is when your dog’s body is adult-sized but the brain is still wiring up. Impulse control is developing, novelty feels exciting, and reward-seeking is high. Hormones, growth, and independence collide. That’s why your dog:

Blows off cues they “knew”
Develops jumping and grabbing habits
Gets restless and bored, especially at night
Fixates on squirrels, smells, and moving things

The solution isn’t more discipline—it’s smarter outlets and structure. That’s exactly what this enrichment-based training plan for adolescent dogs provides.

Quick tip: If your dog’s behavior changed suddenly (e.g., new reactivity, big appetite shifts, lethargy), check with your vet first to rule out pain or medical issues.

How this enrichment-based training plan for adolescent dogs works

Time: 10–20 minutes per day, 5–6 days per week
Focus: Short, high-success reps to build focus, impulse control, and calm
Structure: One training skill + one enrichment activity per day
Tools: Mostly DIY—think snuffle mats, cardboard boxes, towels, and a flirt pole

You’ll train in micro-sessions (1–3 minutes) with play and sniff breaks, and end with a settle. Consistency beats intensity.

Pro tip: Keep treats pea-sized and high-value (chicken, cheese, lamb). Save the best rewards for the hardest reps.

Safety first for adolescent dogs

Growth plates: Avoid repetitive jumping or high-impact work for large/giant breeds until fully mature.
Flirt pole: Keep arcs low, avoid sudden stops, and limit sessions to 3–5 minutes. Always warm up and cool down.
Tug: Teach a clean “drop” or “out” cue. If teeth touch skin, pause the game.
Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs): Watch heat and respiratory stress; prioritize scent games and short sessions.
Sighthounds and herding breeds: Provide controlled chase outlets (flirt pole, fetch rules).
Surface safety: Remove staples/labels from boxes. Supervise all shredding and chewing.

Next steps: Gather treats, a leash, a mat/towel, a DIY snuffle setup (towel or snuffle mat), a flirt pole or tug toy, and a couple of cardboard boxes.

Core skills you’ll build over 4 weeks

Focus around distractions
Impulse control (doors, food, toys, greetings)
Calm settling on a mat
Loose-leash walking foundations
Recall with enthusiasm
Appropriate outlets for chase/chew/shred/sniff needs

Week 1: Settle, Focus, and Predictability

Goals:

Your dog orients to you when you say their name.
10–30 seconds of relaxed mat settle.
Start a solid “drop” cue for tug.

Daily plan (choose 10–20 minutes total):

Day 1: Name game + mat settle + scatter feed sniffari
Day 2: Hand target (touch) + figure-8 sniff pattern + tug with “drop”
Day 3: Pattern games on leash (1-2-3 Treat; treat at 3) + towel burrito food puzzle
Day 4: Doorway impulse control (wait at door) + snuffle mat meal
Day 5: Recall foundations (short distance indoors) + cardboard foraging box
Day 6: Enrichment-only day (lick mat or stuffed Kong, decompression walk)
Day 7: Review favorites + easy leash decompression stroll

How-to highlights:

Name game: Say name once; when your dog flicks eyes or turns toward you, mark (Yes!) and treat. 10–12 reps, then break.
Mat settle: Lure down onto a mat. Treat between paws. Feed slowly while breathing calmly. Gradually add tiny pauses.
1-2-3 Treat: Walk and say “1, 2, 3” with treats at “3” at your knee. Builds rhythm and orientation on leash.

Progress metrics:

Name game success: 8/10 first-try head turns = move on
Mat settle: 30 seconds relaxed (hip flop or chin down) = move on
Doorway impulse control: 3 doors in a row with no lunging = move on

Quick tip: Keep sessions short. If focus drops, end on a win and switch to sniffing.

Next steps: Note which rewards your dog works hardest for. You’ll use them in tougher skills next week.

Week 2: Impulse Control and Leash Manners

Goals:

Polite food/toy impulse control
10–15 step loose-leash walking in low-distraction places
30–60 seconds mat settle with mild distractions

Daily plan:

Day 1: “It’s Your Choice” (closed hand holds treats; reward for backing off) + snuffle mat
Day 2: Leash pattern games (1-2-3 Treat, treat at thigh) + find-it scent tosses
Day 3: Tug with rules (start/stop, drop) + settle on mat while you move around
Day 4: Doorway greetings (sit, door opens, reinforce) + scatter feeding outside
Day 5: Flirt pole rules (chase, drop, wait, chase) + calm chew (bully stick/frozen Kong)
Day 6: Enrichment-only day: “Forage box” (boxes, paper, kibbles) + decompression walk
Day 7: Review leash + a short sniffari

How-to highlights:

It’s Your Choice: Present treats in a closed fist. When your dog backs off, mark/treat from the other hand. Build to open hand.
Flirt pole: Cue “wait,” then release (“get it!”), let chase, cue “drop,” then restart. Keep sessions short.

Progress metrics:

Loose-leash: 15 steps with slack leash in driveway or quiet sidewalk = level up
Flirt pole: 3 consecutive “drops” within 2 seconds = level up
Mat settle: 60 seconds with you standing/sitting nearby = level up

Pro tip: Reinforce the behavior you want before your dog fails. If the leash tightens at step 10, feed at step 9 next time.

Next steps: Choose one walking route with fewer triggers for next week’s proofs (e.g., side streets, early mornings).

Week 3: Focus Around Distractions and Recall

Goals:

Reliable orientation on walks
Structured chase outlets without the “can’t turn off” spiral
Recall success indoors and in a fenced area/long line

Daily plan:

Day 1: Orientation games on walks (check-in gets a treat) + environmental sniffing breaks
Day 2: Recall (indoors → yard/long line) + tug with drop
Day 3: Park-and-pay: stop, feed for choosing you over distractions + snuffle mat dinner
Day 4: Flirt pole with distance drop + settle mat while mild outdoor sounds play
Day 5: Find-it scent trails (crumb trail through grass) + leash 1-2-3 Treat in new location
Day 6: Enrichment-only day: lick mat + decompression field if available
Day 7: Review recall; reduce prompts

How-to highlights:

Recall: Start at 6–10 feet on a long line. Say “Come!” once, get low, open arms, reward with party-level treats and 10–15 seconds of play.
Park-and-pay: When a mild distraction appears (a jogger in the distance), “park” and calmly feed your dog for staying under threshold.

Progress metrics:

Recall: 8/10 immediate turns on “Come!” indoors; 7/10 in fenced yard/long line
Walks: 3 minutes of mostly slack leash with check-ins every 5–10 steps
Flirt pole: “Drop” cue works at 6–8 feet

Quick tip: If your dog blows a recall, make the next one irresistibly easy and rewarding. Avoid repeating the cue.

Next steps: Identify your dog’s top three distractions (squirrels, kids, other dogs). We’ll plan controlled exposures in Week 4.

Week 4: Real-Life Proofing and Calm at Home

Goals:

Take skills on the road, one distraction at a time
Calm routine for the witching hour (evening zoomies)
Paws-off greetings and better decision-making at doors

Daily plan:

Day 1: Distraction ladder (one distraction at a time) + scatter feeding under a tree
Day 2: “Go to mat” from 6–10 feet with light background noise + foraging box
Day 3: Greetings practice (family/friends) with leash + treat delivery for sitting
Day 4: Leash walk in a slightly busier area; end with sniffari cool-down
Day 5: Recall with mild distraction at distance (long line) + lick mat wind-down
Day 6: Enrichment-only day: novel scent (lavender on towel, avoid strong oils) + decompression walk
Day 7: Progress check and graduation game day (your dog’s 3 favorite games)

How-to highlights:

Distraction ladder: Change one variable at a time (distance, duration, difficulty). Start far away. Reinforce generously.
Go to mat: Toss a treat onto the mat, say “mat,” feed for staying, then release. Build distance and mild noise (TV, clattering pots).

Progress metrics:

Greetings: 4/5 sits before petting or treat
Mat: 2–3 minutes relaxed with mild household movement
Walks: 10–15 minutes with manageable arousal and frequent check-ins

Pro tip: End sessions while your dog is still successful. Stopping on a win builds momentum and prevents frustration.

Next steps: Keep a simple log—what worked, where your dog struggled, and how quickly they settled afterward.

Eight budget-friendly enrichment games that do the heavy lifting

Scatter feeding/sniffari

Toss kibble in grass or leaves and let your dog forage. Sniffing lowers arousal.
Upgrade: Lay a short “trail” to encourage following their nose.

Snuffle mat or towel taco

Roll kibble/treats inside a towel; fold like a burrito.
Safety: Supervise chewers who might ingest fabric.

Forage box

Cardboard box + paper balls + a handful of kibble. Let them dig, shred, and search.
Quick tip: Remove tape/staples first.

Lick mats and stuffed Kongs

Fill with blended kibble, yogurt, banana, or pumpkin; freeze for longer sessions.
Great for post-walk decompression.

Tug with rules

Start when calm, cue “get it,” and practice “drop” in exchange for a treat.
Breeds that love it: Malinois, German Shepherds, Border Collies, terriers.

Flirt pole with impulse control

Chase on cue, drop, then wait before another release.
Keep sessions short and arousal manageable.

Scent trails and “Find it”

Hide 5–10 treats around one room. Gradually expand.
Scent hounds (Beagles, Bassets) excel and tire out mentally.

DIY cavaletti and perch work

Line up broomsticks or pool noodles for slow stepping; use a footstool or book stack for front-paw perch to build body awareness.
Safety: No jumping for growing large-breed adolescents.

Next steps: Rotate 2–3 of these each day to prevent boredom and discover your dog’s favorites.

Breed-specific notes

Herding breeds (Border Collies, Aussies, Cattle Dogs): Add problem-solving (toy puzzles, shaping tricks) and structured chase (flirt pole with rules).
Sighthounds (Whippets, Greyhounds): Short, intense chase outlets; prioritize calm decompression after.
Scent hounds (Beagles, Bassets): Daily nose work is non-negotiable; build recall with generous payment.
Terriers: Tug, digging boxes, and shred stations satisfy natural behaviors.
Guardian breeds (Great Pyrenees, Anatolian): Work at your dog’s pace, emphasize calm, clear routines; low social pressure with strangers.
Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs): Keep workouts short/cool; choose scent and lick-based enrichment.

Next steps: Adjust the daily plan to match your dog’s natural drives, and keep sessions short to prevent over-arousal.

Troubleshooting common adolescent dog problems

My dog is too hyped to train.
- Solution: Start with 3–5 minutes of sniffing or a short scatter feed. Train after they’ve decompressed.
- Safety: Skip flirt pole if they’re already at a 9/10 arousal.
Ignores me outside.
- Solution: Reduce distance to distractions, increase treat value, return to pattern games (1-2-3 Treat). Install check-ins again.
Jumps on guests.
- Solution: Leash and station at mat. Reward fast sits. Have guests toss treats to the ground for four paws down.
Pulls like a sled dog.
- Solution: Choose low-distraction routes. Reinforce slack leash every 1–3 steps. If pulling starts, “be a tree” and reset.
Won’t drop the toy.
- Solution: Trade up (show the treat before asking). Resume play after the drop to keep it fair.
Evening zoomies.
- Solution: Sniffari + lick mat dinner + calm mat settle routine. Avoid late-night flirt pole.

Next steps: If a behavior repeats more than twice daily despite training, scale back difficulty and increase reinforcement for calm.

When to bring in a behavior professional

Persistent fear or aggression (growling/snapping near resources, handlers, or dogs)
Leash reactivity that isn’t improving after 2–4 weeks
Separation-related distress (howling, destruction, escape attempts)
Compulsive behaviors (tail chasing, fly snapping)
Sudden behavior changes, pain sensitivity, or mobility issues

Look for a certified, force-free professional (e.g., KPA CTP, IAABC, CPDT-KA) and rule out medical causes with your vet.

Next steps: Keep your training log; it helps pros craft a targeted plan faster.

Essential, budget-friendly gear list

Treat pouch or pocket
10–15 ft long line
Standard 6 ft leash (avoid retractables for training)
Front-clip harness for pulling management
Mat or towel
DIY snuffle setup (towel or snuffle mat)
Flirt pole or tug toy
Cardboard boxes, paper, muffin tin for puzzles

Pro tip: You don’t need pricey gadgets. The best enrichment is sniffing, shredding, licking, and interactive play—with you.

Your simple weekly checklist

5 training days + 1 enrichment-only day + 1 flexible day
One skill + one enrichment block per day
Track: settle duration, recall rate, leash steps with slack, and arousal after play

Next steps: Put your sessions in your calendar like appointments. Tiny, consistent reps beat long, sporadic workouts.

Key takeaways

An enrichment-based training plan for adolescent dogs channels energy, builds impulse control, and boosts focus fast.
Short, fun, 10–20 minute sessions are enough—consistency wins.
Sniffing, chewing, shredding, and structured chase are not luxuries; they’re needs.
Progress comes from easy wins, then gradual proofing one variable at a time.

Ready to try it? Save this plan, start Week 1 today, and celebrate small wins.

Call to action: What’s your dog’s age and biggest challenge right now? Share your experiences and favorite enrichment wins in the comments—your tip might help another dog owner today.