Eight months old and suddenly ‘forgetting’ everything? Your puppy’s brain is rewiring itself during adolescence—here’s how to navigate it successfully.
You did everything right. You started training early, your puppy was responding beautifully to cues, and you were so proud of their progress. Then, seemingly overnight, your eight-month-old dog acts like they’ve never heard the word “sit” in their life. They’re pulling on the leash again, ignoring recall, and testing every boundary you’ve established.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone, and more importantly, your dog hasn’t actually forgotten their training. What’s happening is a completely normal developmental stage that catches most dog owners off guard—and how you respond to it will determine whether you build a well-mannered adult dog or struggle with behavioral issues for years to come.
The Teenage Dog Phase: What’s Really Happening
Between six and eighteen months old, dogs go through adolescence—their version of the teenage years. Around eight months is often when this phase hits hardest. Just like human teenagers, adolescent dogs experience:
Hormonal changes that affect their brain chemistry and impulse control
Increased independence and a natural drive to test boundaries
Heightened distractibility as they become more aware of their environment
Fear periods where previously accepted things suddenly seem scary
Selective hearing (yes, really—studies show their brains temporarily prioritize environmental stimuli over learned cues)
Your dog isn’t being stubborn or spiteful. Their brain is literally rewiring itself, and the neural pathways you built during early training are competing with powerful biological drives.
Why Force-Based Training Fails During Adolescence
This is where many dog owners make a critical mistake. When their dog starts “acting out,” they assume they need to be stricter, louder, or more corrective. Traditional training methods that rely on punishment, corrections, or dominance-based techniques often backfire during adolescence because:
Fear and stress impair learning. A dog in a stressed state can’t effectively process new information or recall previous training.
Punishment damages trust. Adolescence is already confusing for your dog—adding fear or pain to the equation creates anxiety and can lead to aggression or shutdown.
It doesn’t address the root cause. Your dog isn’t misbehaving out of defiance; they’re struggling with impulse control and competing motivations.
It can create lasting behavioral problems. Dogs corrected harshly during fear periods may develop phobias, reactivity, or aggression that persists into adulthood.
The Force-Free Solution: Training That Works With Your Dog’s Development
At Dances With Dogs, we use positive reinforcement training methods that are specifically designed to work with your dog’s natural learning process—not against it. Here’s what actually works during the adolescent phase:
1. Increase Reinforcement Value
Your dog is now more distracted by the world around them, so you need to make listening to you more rewarding than whatever else is competing for their attention. High-value treats, enthusiastic praise, and play rewards help recapture their focus.
2. Proof Behaviors in New Contexts
Your dog may know “sit” perfectly in your living room, but struggle at the park. This is normal. Adolescent dogs need to relearn behaviors in different environments, gradually increasing the level of distraction.
3. Manage the Environment
Set your dog up for success by controlling their environment during this challenging phase. Use long lines instead of off-leash freedom, avoid overwhelming situations, and create structured routines that reduce decision-making.
4. Stay Consistent and Patient
This phase is temporary, but it requires consistency. Every time you let a behavior slide or react with frustration, you’re inadvertently training your dog that the behavior works.
5. Rebuild the Relationship
Adolescence is an opportunity to deepen your bond. Training sessions should be fun, rewarding, and positive. When your dog chooses to listen despite distractions, that’s a huge win worth celebrating.
Common Adolescent Dog Training Challenges in Miami
Living in South Florida presents unique training challenges during your dog’s teenage phase:
Leash pulling becomes more pronounced as your dog becomes stronger and more interested in the sights, sounds, and smells of Miami neighborhoods.
Reactivity to other dogs, bikes, and wildlife (hello, iguanas!) often emerges or intensifies during adolescence.
Recall problems are especially concerning in areas like Coral Gables, Pinecrest, and South Miami, where off-leash opportunities are limited.
Heat-related distractibility makes training during cooler morning or evening hours essential for success.
Our professional dog trainers throughout Miami understand these local challenges and can help you navigate them using science-based, force-free methods.
When to Call a Professional Dog Trainer
If your adolescent dog is struggling with any of these issues, professional training can make all the difference:
- Leash pulling that’s making walks stressful or impossible
- Ignoring basic cues they previously knew
- Increased barking, jumping, or other unwanted behaviors
- Reactivity toward people, dogs, or other animals
- Difficulty settling or increased hyperactivity
- Any signs of fear or anxiety
The good news? This phase is completely manageable with the right approach. Our team at Dances With Dogs has helped hundreds of Miami dog owners successfully navigate adolescence and come out the other side with well-mannered, confident adult dogs.
Why Dances With Dogs for Adolescent Dog Training?
Since 2002, we’ve specialized in force-free, science-based dog training throughout Miami, including Coral Gables, South Miami, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Kendall, and Cutler Bay. Our approach is different:
Certified expertise: Our owner, Katie Casell, is multi-certified through Karen Pryor Academy and CATCH Canine Trainers Academy, and she personally trains all staff members in positive reinforcement methods.
Professional team: All our trainers are employees (not contractors) with full insurance and background checks.
Fear-Free: We’re committed to training methods that build confidence and trust, never fear or pain.
Proven results: We’ve built long-term relationships with clients throughout Miami because our methods create lasting behavioral change.
Customized programs: We understand that every dog and every family is different, and we tailor our training to your specific needs and goals.
The Bottom Line
Your eight-month-old dog hasn’t forgotten their training—they’re going through a normal, temporary developmental phase that requires patience, consistency, and the right training approach. Force-free methods that work with your dog’s natural learning process are not only more humane, they’re also more effective at creating lasting results.
Don’t let adolescence derail all the hard work you’ve put in. With professional guidance and positive reinforcement training, you can navigate this challenging phase and build the strong foundation your dog needs to become a well-behaved adult.
Ready to get your dog back on track? Schedule a consultation with our professional dog training team in Miami today. We’ll assess your dog’s specific challenges and create a customized training plan that works for your family.
Dances With Dogs | Professional Dog Training & Pet Care Services
Serving Miami, Coral Gables, South Miami, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Kendall & Cutler Bay
Force-Free | Fear-Free Certified | Science-Based Methods
Contact us today to schedule your dog training consultation and discover why Miami dog owners have trusted us since 2002.