Why Your Puppy “Forgets”

You thought you had it down. Your puppy’s recall was snappy, their leash walking was finally smooth, and when ypu said “leave it” they actually left it!

Then, one day, it’s like they woke up and decided they don’t know anything anymore. Suddenly, they’re tugging the leash, ignoring cues, and staring blankly when you ask them to sit.

It feels frustrating—What happened to all that training?

But here’s the thing… nothing disappeared.

Your puppy didn’t forget their training. They’re just reorganizing what they know.

Regression isn’t the backslide it feels like. It’s part of the process—a sign that growth is happening beneath the surface.

Why Regression Happens – The Brain’s Remodeling Phase

Puppies don’t learn in straight lines. Neither do we as humans. They absorb information in bursts, and sometimes, that means breaking down what they’ve learned to rebuild it stronger.

It’s similar to how kids forget seemingly simple things when they hit growth spurts. One day, they’re tying their shoes without issue, and the next, they’re struggling to get the laces right.

The brain, during development, prioritizes big-picture growth over fine-tuned skills.

In puppies, this can show up as:

• Ignoring recall cues – Even though they once nailed it.

• Pulling on the leash – Despite weeks of loose leash training.

• Jumping up again – When they previously waited politely.

It’s not a sign of failure.

It’s their brain sorting and reshaping neural pathways, testing old behaviors to see what still fits.

The “File Cabinet” of Puppy Learning

Think of your puppy’s brain like a filing cabinet.

Every time you train a new behavior—sit, stay, come—you add a file to that cabinet. In the beginning, everything is thrown into random drawers, accessible but disorganized.

At the beginning, they've only learned a little amount - there's no need to waste energy on organization. Think of this as the Rapid Skill Acquisition phase.

Regression is your puppy pulling those files out, spreading them across the floor, and deciding where they really belong. The physical growing has stalled, the Rapid Skill Acquisition phase has slowed down, its now time to focus the energy on reconciliation.

It’s messy. But once the cabinet is reorganized, those behaviors become easier to retrieve and more reliable.

But It Feels So Personal

Here’s the hard part—regression often feels like defiance.

You might think, They know this. They’re just choosing not to listen.

But puppies aren’t capable of manipulation the way we sometimes assume.

They’re not ignoring you out of spite. They’re struggling to access the behavior in the moment.

In human terms, it’s like trying to recall facts under pressure. You know the information is in there, but the added stress makes it harder to pull forward.

It takes time learn the skill of performing under stress.

For puppies, distraction, excitement, and environmental shifts all create that same mental block.

How to Work Through Regression Without Losing Your Mind

1. Return to Basics

If your puppy’s recall is suddenly unreliable, don’t push harder—scale back. Go back to practicing in simple environments with fewer distractions.

Think of it as reinforcing the foundation. The behavior is still there, it just needs polishing.

Even one or two successful repetitions in a calm space reminds their brain how to retrieve that file.

2. Reward Small Wins

When regression hits, it’s tempting to focus on what’s not working. But what you reward grows.

Celebrate even the smallest effort—the glance back when you call their name, the half-second of loose leash, the pause before jumping up.

By reinforcing the attempt, you’re telling their brain: This is still impimportant.

3. Lower the Stakes

Sometimes, when regression shows up, the best response is to take the pressure off.

If your puppy struggles with stay during a training session, ask for a down instead. If loose leash walking feels impossible, switch to free play or sniffing for part of the walk.

When learning feels like a partnership—not a constant test—confidence returns faster.

The Role of Developmental Stages

Regression often aligns with key developmental milestones:

The 4-5 Month Mark – When puppies begin exploring boundaries more actively.

Adolescence (6-12 Months) – The most common stage for regression, as hormones and independence kick in.

Maturity (18-24 Months) – Sometimes referred to as the “second adolescence,” where dogs may test behaviors they haven’t questioned in months.

Each phase is an opportunity to revisit and refine old skills.

What feels like starting over is actually deepening their understanding of those behaviors.

Progress Isn’t Linear (And That’s Okay)

One of the most valuable shifts you can make as a handler is accepting that setbacks aren’t signs of failure.

Puppies learn in waves—sometimes forward, sometimes backward.

But even during regression, learning doesn’t stop.

That leash-pulling moment? It’s still reinforcing what happens when tension builds.

The recall they ignore? It’s still shaping their understanding of distance and distraction.

Everything counts, even the messy parts.

The Long Game – Trusting the Process

Here’s what most people miss: Regression isn’t a break in learning. It’s a sign that learning is sticking.

Your puppy wouldn’t regress if the behavior wasn’t already wired into their brain.

So, the next time they “forget” a cue, take a breath.

Trust that even in those challenging moments, growth is happening beneath the surface.

One day, the leash will stay loose. The recall will feel automatic. And the jumping will naturally fade.

Not because regression didn’t happen—but because you walked them through it with patience, not frustration.

That’s where the magic lies.