What to Do When Your Puppy Ignores You Completely

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This often happens during adolescence—and it’s developmentally normal.

Why do puppies “stop listening”?

• Brain rewiring

• Increased independence

• Competing environmental rewards

• Regression during fear periods

Your puppy isn’t being stubborn. They’re becoming who they’re meant to be and learning autonomy.

What actually works?

• Increase reinforcement value - by using high-value rewards (real meat, cheese, or specialized treats), and by delivering the treat right after desired behavior. Increase motivation by using unique, interactive toys like flirt poles, utilizing hunger before training sessions, and keeping sessions short (about 5-10 minutes).

• Reduce distractions - train your puppy in low-stimulation environments. Parks are great for training but crowded parks/parks with water fowl can overstimulate/distract your puppy. Follow the 3D's Rule.

• Go back to basics - Begin re-training your puppy to sit, stay, come, down, leave it, heel) using positive reinforcement (treats and praise).

• Prevent rehearsal of ignoring cues - do not allow your puppy to ignore your cues. Consistently guide them into the correct action to prevent them from ignoring cues.

Consistency matters more now than ever.

Do not give a cue unless you are ready to follow through with the action immediately.

This will teach your puppy they can not get away with not responding.

Note: If a cue is consistently ignored, the complexity of the task might be too high. Reduce the difficulty (fewer distractions) to ensure success, then slowly increase it.

➡ Related reading: Why Positive Training Fails With Some Puppies

➡ Context Guide to Behavior: Puppy Behavior Problems in the First 12 Months

➡ Related Training: Reducing Distractions & Perfecting Redirection

➡ Best Training Rule Guide: Why Dog “Rules” Exist (And Why They’re Often Misunderstood)