Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog: How should an owner handle adolescent behaviour changes?

When a young Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog becomes less reliable, return to the last version of the behaviour that was working and rebuild from there. Schedule the first attempt after the dog's normal age-appropriate outlet, not at peak excitement. Return to easier cues, shorten sessions, increase reinforcement, and manage the environment while skills are rebuilt. Keep the easier version in the routine while reliability returns; do not test the hardest version every day.

What can change during adolescence

Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog's exercise is recorded as Growing puppies will have plenty of energy and will need daily walks and attention. Here, that matters because it changes the amount and timing of movement, stimulation, and recovery this situation needs.

Rebuild the behaviour you want

  1. Return to easier cues, shorten sessions, increase reinforcement, and manage the environment while skills are rebuilt.
  2. Use this exercise note (Growing puppies will have plenty of energy and will need daily walks and attention) to choose the starting amount of movement and the length of the recovery period.
  3. Keep the easier version in the routine while reliability returns; do not test the hardest version every day.

Arrange an assessment if

Escalate for sudden personality change, pain, disorientation, or aggression that cannot be safely managed.

References

Height: 27-29 inches (males), 22.5-28 inches (females)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height

Weight: 100-130 lbs
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight

Life expectancy: 12-14 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy

Grooming: Despite the breeds scraggly fur, our dogs are very low-maintenance. They do not require a bath, nor daily brushing. In the event that they become wet or totally filthy, the dogs are simply confined for a time, until the dirt, mud, or what-not may be easily brushed out. A dry Mioritic is a clean Mioritic.     Besides the daily monitoring…
AKC page Grooming > official section copy

Exercise: Growing puppies will have plenty of energy and will need daily walks and attention. Adults will be much more taciturn and a daily walk would be enough for them. Livestock Guarding Dog's in general are not high energy because their preference is to stay with the flock (or people).
AKC page Exercise > official section copy

Training: Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog's are extremely territory conscious and they are incorruptible guardians. But their territory does not end at the property gate! It can be anywhere where the pack is or stays. Everything is guarded that can be seen from a watch post usually chosen at an elevated place.     They are absolute creatures of…
AKC page Training > official section copy

Official breed description: The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog origins come from near the Carpathian Mountains. The breed is very impressive in size and character.
AKC page About the Breed > official breed description

Official breed standard: http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/349g01-en.pdf
AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard

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