Teenage Dog Academy
Adolescent Dog Training Classes in Adelaide for Dogs Aged 6–18 Months
Has your puppy turned into a teenager?
Suddenly more distracted? Finding it harder to focus around other dogs, people or exciting environments? Pulling more on walks? Struggling to settle? Or seemingly forgetting skills they knew perfectly well just a few weeks ago?
Welcome to adolescence! 🐶
The teenage stage brings big changes — and it’s also a fantastic time to continue building the skills your dog will need for life.
Teenage Dog Academy is our positive, force-free dog training course for Adelaide dogs aged 6–18 months. With small-group classes in Blackwood and Flagstaff Hill, we’ll help you navigate adolescence while building the focus, calmness and practical skills your dog needs for everyday life.
What will your dog learn at Teenage Dog Academy?
Our practical teenage dog training classes focus on helping adolescent dogs make good choices, manage excitement and stay connected with you around everyday distractions.
Throughout the course, we work on:
Calmness and emotional regulation
Focus and engagement around distractions
Settling calmly on a mat
Loose lead walking
Disengaging from dogs, people and exciting things in the environment
Polite greetings
Leave it and drop
Practical skills for everyday life
Scent games and enrichment
Why does my teenage dog suddenly seem harder to train?
Adolescence is a normal developmental stage that can bring increased independence, excitement and distraction. Dogs who previously seemed focused and responsive may suddenly find it harder to listen, settle or make good choices in exciting environments.
Teenage Dog Academy helps you understand these changes while giving you practical, positive training strategies to support your dog through adolescence.
✨ Maximum 6 dogs per class • Qualified Instructors • Positive & Force-Free Training • Indoor & Outdoor Training Opportunities ✨
Want some extra one-on-one support?
Add a one-hour private dog training session before, during or after the course for personalised help with the areas that matter most to you and your dog.
More Than Just Weekly Classes
When you enroll in the Teenage Dog Academy, you'll receive practical resources and support to help you continue your training long after each class has finished.
Online Theory Lesson – Available Immediately
Your training starts as soon as you enrol.
You’ll receive instant access to a pre-recorded online lesson covering important topics including canine body language, how dogs learn, training methods and how to support your dog through adolescence.
Teenage Dog Academy Student Hub
You’ll receive exclusive access to our online Student Hub with weekly lesson notes, training videos and practical resources you can access throughout the course.
Trainer Support
Receive ongoing guidance and support throughout Teenage Dog Academy to help keep you and your dog on track between classes.
Training Treats & Enrichment
You’ll receive premium training treats to use during class and continue training at home. Dogs also have access to enrichment activities during class to help them practise settling and staying engaged.
Graduation
Celebrate your dog’s achievements with a graduation photo, certificate and graduation bag including treat samples, discount vouchers and a long-lasting chew.
Upcoming Courses
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BLACKWOOD
Indoor, weatherproof venue
Saturday 17 October · 1:15 pm
17 Oct · 24 Oct · 31 Oct · 7 Nov -
FLAGSTAFF HILL
Indoor & outdoor training
Saturday 10 October · 11.40am
10 Oct · 17 Oct · 24 Oct · 31 OctSaturday 7 November · 11.40am
7 Nov · 21 Nov · 28 Nov · 5 Dec
No class 14 November
Course Details
Duration: Teenage Dog Academy includes four weekly in-person classes, held on the same day and time each week, plus an online theory lesson to complete at home.
Online Theory: As soon as you enrol, you’ll receive access to the online theory lesson so you can start learning straight away.
Age: Dogs must be 6–18 months old when the course begins.
Locations:
Blackwood Uniting Church
Flagstaff Hill Scout Hall
Class Size: Maximum 6 dogs per class.
Tuition: $249 for the complete program, including instant access to the online theory lesson, four practical classes, Student Hub resources, ongoing trainer support and premium training treats.
Requirements
To attend Teenage Dog Academy:
Dogs must be 6–18 months old when the course begins
Dogs must be comfortable around other dogs and people
Dogs must be able to eat treats in a training environment
If you’re unsure whether a group class is suitable for your dog, please get in touch before booking. Dogs who are fearful, highly reactive or uncomfortable around unfamiliar dogs or people may be better suited to private training.
Optional Private Training Session
Want some extra one-on-one support alongside the course?
Add a one-hour private training session for $155 when you book. Your session includes customised training resources and a detailed email summary tailored to your dog and home environment.
Private sessions can be used before or during Teenage Dog Academy, or within one month of completing the course.
Recommended Training Equipment
A quality treat pouch can make reward-based training easier and more convenient. Purchase a treat pouch and harness when booking Teenage Dog Academy and receive a 15% discount.
Please note: Dogs must be dog- and people-friendly to attend classes. If your dog is uncomfortable around unfamiliar dogs or strangers, private training will provide a more suitable and effective platform for training success.
Why Choose Paws & Reward for Teenage Dog Training?
Teenage Dog Academy is delivered by qualified dog trainers with professional backgrounds in animal behaviour and welfare, veterinary nursing and evidence-based dog training.
Our approach is positive, reward-based and force-free, with training designed around practical skills that help dogs and their families in everyday life — rather than rigid obedience routines.
✔ Qualified, experienced trainers
✔ Maximum 6 dogs per class
✔ Evidence-based, force-free training
✔ Designed specifically for adolescent dogs
✔ Practical skills for everyday life
✔ Real-world training
Teenage Dog Training FAQs
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Adolescence varies between individual dogs and breeds, but Teenage Dog Academy is designed specifically for dogs aged 6–18 months.
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Adolescent dogs can become more independent, distracted and easily excited as they develop. Skills your dog previously performed reliably may become harder around dogs, people and other distractions. Continuing positive training during adolescence can help strengthen those skills.
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Teenage Dog Academy works on practical everyday skills including calmness, focus around distractions, place training, loose lead walking, disengagement, polite greetings, leave it, drop and scent games.
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Teenage Dog Academy classes are held in Blackwood and Flagstaff Hill, supporting dog owners across Adelaide’s southern suburbs and foothills.
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Teenage Dog Academy costs $249 and includes four weekly practical classes, an online theory lesson, access to the Student Hub and training resources, premium training treats and ongoing trainer support.
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Teenage Dog Academy is a small-group training course, so participating dogs need to be comfortable around other dogs and people. If your dog is fearful, reactive or overwhelmed in a group environment, private training may provide a more appropriate starting point.
Ready to Navigate the Teenage Stage Together?
Adolescence can bring big changes — more distractions, bigger feelings, increased independence and behaviours you thought your puppy had already mastered!
Teenage Dog Academy will help you understand what’s happening during this important developmental stage while building the focus, confidence and practical skills your dog needs for everyday life.
Whether you’re dealing with frustrating walks, overexcitement, difficulty settling, disappearing focus or simply want to keep building on your puppy’s foundations, we’ll help you and your teenage dog work through it together.
Spaces are limited to a maximum of six dogs per class.