Ages & stages
What to train a dog at 6 months
Six months is where a lot of owners start to wonder what went wrong. Often nothing did. Adolescence tends to arrive somewhere around here, give or take, and it brings a taller dog, a louder opinion and a shorter attention span. This page covers what to work on through that stretch, what to leave alone for now, and which kind of help fits a dog this age.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Proof what exists
Make old cues work in new places.
Proofing means taking a cue your dog knows in the kitchen and practising it where life is louder. Pick one cue, usually sit or down, and run it in the driveway, then the sidewalk, then near a quiet park edge, always on leash. If your dog cannot respond, you moved too far too fast. Step back to an easier spot, win there, and inch forward again.
Impulse control is the other half. Ask for a brief sit before the food bowl goes down, before the leash clips on and before a door opens, with an adult holding the leash or a gate in place so bolting is not an option. Never close a door on your dog to make the point. Repeated through the day, these small pauses give an adolescent many short chances to practise waiting.
- One cue, three new places
- Back up when responses fail
- Pause before bowl and leash
- Leash held at every door
The backslide
Why a good puppy goes deaf, and what helps.
Many dogs around this age seem to forget recall, pull harder and test house rules they knew last month. It is often part of adolescence, not a sign the training failed. Respond with management: the long line comes back, counters get cleared, and freedom shrinks to what your dog can handle. Never punish a growl, since it is a warning worth hearing. If new fear, growling or snapping appears, that is a reason for a professional assessment, not a firmer hand.
Leave advanced off-leash work, distance stays and crowded public outings for later, once the basics hold up in ordinary places again. For help now, Day Training runs Monday to Friday at $650 plus GST per week with a weekly one-hour go-home lesson, so your dog sleeps at home. On-Leash Foundations, a 2-week board and train at $1,865 plus GST, works on loose-leash walking, heel and everyday distractions. Program fit is decided at the consultation, and the smaller choice is the recommendation when it is enough.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
Why does a 6 month old dog suddenly stop listening?
Adolescence often starts around this age, and many dogs test limits and lose focus. Tighten management, go back to easier settings and keep rewarding responses. If the change comes with fear or aggression, book a professional assessment or see your vet.
Is 6 months a good age to start off-leash training?
It is a good age to build the pieces, like recall games on a long line and check-ins on walks. Full off-leash freedom usually works better once impulse control and recall hold up around real distractions. Keep a long line on in unfenced spaces until then.
What is impulse control training for dogs?
It is practice at waiting for permission instead of grabbing what they want. Short pauses before meals, leash clipping and doorways, with an adult holding the leash or a gate in place, build it into daily life. It tends to help with jumping, bolting and pulling.
Should a 6 month old dog do board and train or day training?
Both can fit, depending on your schedule and what your dog is practising at home. Day Training keeps your dog home each night with a weekly go-home lesson, while board and train adds a full structured routine. Program fit is decided at the consultation, and the smaller choice is the recommendation when it is enough.
Keep reading
Steady your adolescent dog
Book a consultation and we will look at what is slipping, what to proof next, and the format that fits.
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