09/15/2026
POV: You spent months training your puppy…only for them to wake up one morning like, “Sit? Sorry, have we met?” 🐶😂
✅Yesterday: Nailed every cue.
🍁Today: Deeply invested in a leaf.
❓Tomorrow: Honestly, TBD.
But here’s what’s really happening: Your dog hasn’t forgotten their training. Their adolescent brain is still developing, hormones are shifting, emotions can run bigger, and the environment has become way more interesting. When excitement, frustration, or uncertainty rises, accessing familiar skills becomes harder.
💡Pro tip: Be careful not to create a poisoned cue. This happens when a word like “come” or “sit” is repeated, pressured, or followed by something unpleasant so often that your dog begins associating it with frustration instead of success. Say the cue once, lower the difficulty, and reward the response. If the cue has already developed negative baggage, introduce a fresh word and rebuild it through short, positive practice sessions.
The training is still in there…no cap. Your teenager just needs patience, consistency, and a little help finding it. 💯
