A dog owner’s hilarious warning about the “teenage puppy phase” has left internet users howling with laughter.
The poster, who goes by the social-media handle @bear_thegerman_shep, shared a chaotic video of her German shepherd, Gus, caught in the act of shredding a house plant on her cream-colored couch. The destruction, which showcased Gus lying proudly among the soil-covered remnants, quickly went viral, amassing over 510,300 likes and more than 5.5 million views on TikTok.
“No one warns you about the teenage puppy phase,” the exasperated owner captioned the scene of mayhem. She asked, “What did you do? Oh my God,” as she surveyed the carnage. Gus, ever the mischievous teen, lay nonchalantly beside the uprooted plant, his innocent expression doing little to hide the hefty mess he had left behind.
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Newsweek reached out to @bear_thegerman_shep for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
German shepherds, known for their intelligence and loyalty, can be challenging to train—especially during their adolescent phase.
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The American Kennel Club says these dogs require consistent training from an early age to help channel their high energy and natural instincts. This training timeline is crucial in managing their behavior as they transition into adulthood.
The teenage phase often starts between six and 12 months, and lasts until 18 to 24 months. It can be particularly difficult as dogs push boundaries, much like human teenagers.
The U.K. charity RSPCA says that adolescent puppies may exhibit stubbornness, increased energy, and destructive tendencies, making training and patience essential.
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Consistent exercise and mental stimulation are key to keeping them occupied and reducing destructive tendencies.
Owners are encouraged to engage their adolescent pups with activities such as obedience training, agility courses, or interactive toys that challenge their minds and channel their high energy in constructive ways.
A stock image of German shepherd laying on a couch. A similar dog made a mammoth mess after stealing his owner’s plant, and the video went viral.
BigDuckSix/iStock / Getty Images Plus
TikTok users couldn’t help but relate to the trials of raising a German shepherd, finding humor in Gus’s antics.
“German Shepherd puppy stage is not for the weak!!” one user commented, while another added: “He literally looks like a teenager, idk [I don’t know] how to explain it.”
A third TikTok user named Oscar referred to it as the “velociraptor stage,” and said: “He’s like, hi mom.”
Willow posted: “A German Shepherd with a white / cream / beige couch—you are brave.”
“We love what he’s done with the place,” added another user.
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