A Bernedoodle who once came running may suddenly seem more interested in a smell, another dog, or what is happening across the street. Adolescence brings physical and social changes, and skills can look inconsistent as the dog meets harder distractions. This does not mean earlier training has disappeared. It often means the environment has become more difficult than the current level of practice.
Why It Can Feel Like Backsliding
Young dogs gain confidence, strength, and curiosity. A cue learned in a quiet kitchen may not yet be reliable at a park. New fears can also appear, even around familiar things. VCA notes that adolescent behavior may include increased independence, changing responses, and periods of uncertainty. Timing varies by individual and size.
Make the Next Repetition Easier
Return to a quieter place, increase distance from distractions, and reward the first correct response. Ask for one behavior at a time. If recall is unreliable near an open area, use a long line in a safe setting and practice when the dog is likely to respond. Do not test a skill in a high-stakes situation just to see if it works.
Keep Household Rules Predictable
Everyone should use the same cues and boundaries. Prevent repeated jumping, door rushing, counter surfing, and leash pulling with gates, leashes, and supervised access. Management protects the dog from rehearsing habits while training catches up.
Give the adolescent dog adequate rest, movement, and mental work. Short reward-based sessions and sniffing activities can be more productive than repeating commands until the dog is frustrated. Keep practicing handling, settling, and calm observation.
Notice Stress and Get Help
Record what changed, where it happens, and what the dog’s body looks like beforehand. A sudden change in behavior, pain, or new sensitivity deserves a veterinary check. Seek qualified behavior support if fear, reactivity, guarding, or separation distress is intensifying.
Stay patient and adjust expectations to the dog’s developmental stage. Reliable adult behavior is built through many supported repetitions. For signals that can be easy to miss, read the existing body language article and revisit the training basics.
Protect Skills During the Teen Months
Use a long line in a legal, open area when practicing recall. Keep high-value rewards available and call the dog when you have a strong chance of success. If the dog ignores you, avoid repeating the cue while the dog continues toward the distraction. Move closer, reduce the challenge, or guide the dog safely with the line.
For leash manners, reinforce check-ins and slack leash before the dog reaches the end of the lead. For greetings, add distance and reward calm observation rather than requiring the dog to meet. Adolescent dogs may need more support around triggers they previously ignored.