Both my 2 Rotties are approching 18 months, so far so good. I was wondering if anybody had any problems dealing with their adolescent dogs, testing their boundaries?

I am very firm and consistent with mine but hearing that most dogs are abandoned to shelters for behavior problems during this phase of their lives, worries me a bit.

As long as you have already instituted some sound training with your dogs, and continue to enforce it, this phase of their lives will not likely be bad at all. The dogs who are given up during that phase usually have never been given any real training/discipline to begin with, so that by this time they are out of control, and their owners aren't prepared/willing to invest the time and energy needed to resolve the problems.

My first dog, a springer spaniel, actually went through her adolescent phase around 10 months. By the time she turned two, she had mellowed considerably. We just adopted our English Setter, who is already a year old. However, due to neglect from her past, she is still very much a puppy, so I don't know.

Just keep this in mind: No matter when your dog goes through adolescence, and no matter how long it lasts, it will never be as bad as the same phase in humans! (And we can get our dogs spayed and neutered-- for that I am soooo grateful!)

lol! Thanks for your reassuring thoughts! They have been trained NILIF since I got them so I guess I should not expect any major changes. My male sometimes, makes me repeat my commands like if he is thinking ''must I really do this mom?'' but I always follow through.

You're doing the right thing. Stay firm, consistent and persistent. This ime of testing the boundaries will pass shortly.

You have helpful tips here. Thanks. We will be going through the rough stages of puppy training again and the crazy times of chewn and destroyed furnitures, as we have a three weeks old puppy now. Our three old dogs have undergone into those acts during their teen years too.