Mental Maturity

[ladyjubilee]

So in a discussion about service dogs someone mentioned that different breeds matured more slowly than others. Not a training issue, but attaining an adult response. At what stage did your Dutch Shepherd start behaving like an adult dog?

[Jay knowles]

Hi mines 13 months now and is now behaving quite well, I would say by the time she's 18 months she should be pretty good. Jay

[Dutchringgirl]

sadie is 9 and I am still waiting

[Tim91118]

When I think of mental maturity, I think in terms of whether the dog is ready to take on the tasks it was bred for. A dog has to show confidence and perseverance to complete a task no matter how difficult.

[Mark77]

Some are more naturally mature than others. Riddick (age 8) can be a serious, no non sense dog but he also acts like a giant puppy with the people he likes. He's got the most outgoing personality out of the three dogs, extremely social as long as he trusts people. He's like the perfect end of the world sidekick dog- which I can't really describe.

Asia (age 8.5) has always acted like an older dog even when she was young, very reserved, absolutely the most trouble free dog I've ever owned. Asia does not like being messed with, has an extremely low tolerance with other dogs because she thinks she's human and has only what I can describe as one of the scariest mean streaks I've ever seen. She's not real big for Dutchie, absolutely the sweetest disposition but out of nowhere she can be just mean. Basically she's my most dominant dog and my oldest.

Zoe (age 5) the Mal never grew up, still whines like a puppy which I find horribly annoying but I think that has to do with her position in the "pack". Zoe is scary smart, figured out how to open doors, open the lid on the food container and she remembers everything. She would have been an awesome dog for a single dog home.