Why Your Puppy Has Suddenly Stopped Listening to You
Updated: 3 days ago
Yesterday your puppy sat the moment you asked. Today they look straight past you as if they've never heard the word in their life. It's worrying when it happens, but it's usually not about you at all. Listening is a skill, and lots of things can make it harder for a while, from tiredness to a busy room to the start of adolescence.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Puppies stop listening for a handful of common reasons: they're growing up and their brain is changing, there's more going on around them than they can cope with, the reward for listening isn't worth it anymore, they're tired, or they're moving into adolescence. Go back to easier places, use better rewards, keep sessions short, make sure they're getting enough sleep, and rebuild in small steps.
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They're growing up
Puppies change fast. A puppy who was happy to stay close at nine weeks is often far more curious and independent at four or five months. That's normal development, and it can make cues that seemed solid fall apart for a while.
There's too much going on
A cue that works in a quiet kitchen may not work with visitors in the house or great smells in the garden. Your puppy hasn't forgotten. They've just not practised it with that much going on. Read a 4-week plan for training around distractions.
The reward isn't worth it
If "come" used to mean chicken and now means a pat on the head, or the lead going on, your puppy notices. Keep rewarding the things you want to keep.
They're tired
An overtired puppy can't concentrate. If listening goes downhill in the evening, look at their sleep first. Read why puppies need more sleep than training.
Adolescence
From around six months, many dogs go through a stage where they seem to forget everything. It's a real stage of brain development, and it passes. Read why adolescent dogs forget training.
How to rebuild listening
Go back to the quietest room and practise easy cues
Say each cue once, then wait
Use better rewards for a while
Keep sessions to a minute or two
Add distractions slowly, one at a time
Reward check-ins your puppy offers on their own
When to get help
If your puppy suddenly seems in pain, very sleepy, or not themselves as well as not listening, speak to your vet. Sometimes a change in behaviour is a sign they're not feeling well.
RENEE'S TIP
For a week, write down when your puppy listens and when they don't. You'll often spot a pattern, like evenings, after visitors, or in the garden, and that tells you where to start.
QUICK CHECK
ā Go back to easier places
ā Better rewards for a while
ā Short sessions, cue said once
ā Check they're getting enough sleep
ā Speak to your vet if they seem unwell
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FAQs
Why has my puppy suddenly stopped listening?
Usually it's growing up, more distractions, rewards that aren't worth it, tiredness, or the start of adolescence.
At what age do puppies stop listening?
It often shows up around four to six months, as puppies get more independent, and again in adolescence.
Is my puppy ignoring me on purpose?
It's very rarely that. Listening is a skill, and it gets harder when there's more going on or your puppy is tired.
How do I get my puppy to listen again?
Go back to quiet places, use better rewards, keep sessions short and build up slowly.
Could my puppy be unwell?
If they seem in pain, unusually sleepy or not themselves, speak to your vet.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
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