Why Your Teen Dog “Forgets” Their Training

Your dog knew how to sit at six months. They walked nicely on a leash, recalled at the park, and even waited patiently for meals.

But now, at ten months old, they suddenly act like they’ve never heard the word “sit” in their life. They pull, ignore your calls, and seem more interested in everything else but you.

It’s tempting to believe they’re being stubborn or testing limits on purpose. Maybe they’re pushing boundaries just because they can.

But that’s not what’s happening.

Your teenage dog isn’t defiant—they’re growing.

The Brain Remodel – What’s Really Happening

Adolescence in dogs isn’t just about physical changes. Their brain is rewiring, much like a human teenager’s.

During puppyhood, the brain rapidly absorbs and stores information. By the time your dog hits adolescence (typically between 6-18 months), their brain starts reorganizing those connections.

Old pathways—the ones linked to behaviors like recall and leash walking—become temporarily unstable as new, more complex neural connections take priority.

This remodeling is why they seem to “forget” things they once knew.

But that information isn’t gone. It’s just being filed into a new part of the brain.

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What Regression Really Means

When your dog “regresses,” it’s not a step backward. It’s part of moving forward.

Consider it like renovating a house. To build a better, more solid foundation, you might need to temporarily knock down walls.

For your dog, that means breaking down familiar behaviors—recall, polite greetings, leash skills—and rebuilding them with greater depth and reliability.

The regression isn’t failure. It’s their brain rebuilding muscle memory in a more permanent way.

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Why This Feels Personal (But Isn’t)

It’s easy to assume your dog is pushing back intentionally.

They know what “sit” means. They know not to jump up. So why are they acting like they don’t?

Because their brain isn’t prioritizing that information right now.

Instead, they’re focused on exploring independence, navigating more intense social interactions, and responding to new hormonal changes.

It’s not rebellion. It’s a shift in cognitive energy.

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How to Respond (Without Losing Your Mind)

The natural reaction is to double down—repeat cues louder, use more corrections, or try to force them into compliance.

But meeting adolescence with frustration only fuels the cycle.

Here’s how to navigate it instead:

1. Revisit the Basics (With Grace)

If your dog starts ignoring recall at the park, go back to practicing it on a long line in a quiet space.

It’s not about starting over—it’s about reinforcing the behavior in the context of their new brain.

Short, easy wins help stabilize old skills.

2. Reinforce What’s Still Working

Catch the moments they do remember. Celebrate the spontaneous sit at the door or the eye contact on a walk.

Adolescents thrive on positive reinforcement, even if it feels small.

3. Lower Your Expectations (Temporarily)

Your dog isn’t losing their skills—they’re just reprioritizing.

Adjust what you expect. If they recall nine times out of ten at home but only twice at the park, reward those two.

Progress will rebuild slowly but steadily.

The Power of Patience

Adolescent dogs can push boundaries, but it’s rarely intentional disobedience.

Instead of treating setbacks as failure, see them as opportunities to strengthen trust.

When you guide your dog calmly through this phase, they learn that even when their brain feels scattered, you’re still their anchor.

And that trust?

It’s the foundation that carries them into adulthood.