Why Your Puppy Isn’t Listening - Carrie's Canines & FriendsCarrie's Canines & Friends

Puppy Not Listening?

Is your puppy not listening when you call them?

You’re definitely not alone. One minute they’re looking at you, the next they’re chasing a leaf like you don’t exist.

If it feels like your puppy has selective hearing — especially outside — don’t worry. They’re not being defiant. In fact, there are common reasons why puppies struggle to focus, and they have nothing to do with stubbornness.

If your puppy isn’t listening during walks, they may be too distracted by the environment. Rather than thinking they are just being naughty, what is going on around them right now?

In this blog, I’ll walk you through why your puppy isn’t listening, how to fix it with kind, real-life training, and how to build focus without shouting or saying their name 27 times in a row.

Why Puppies Seem to ‘Ignore’ Us:

❌ 1. The world is basically Disneyland

Puppies are explorers and just love to investigate. Everything is exciting. And right now, you’re competing with grass, birds, wind, bin bags, and last night’s takeaway container on the pavement.
Fix: Don’t jump into the chaos of life. Train focus in quiet places first.

❌ 2. We speak ‘human’, not ‘puppy’

Saying “come on, let’s go” in five different ways confuses them. They’re not ignoring you — they’re trying to figure out what on earth you want.
Fix: Use clear and consistent cues like “here” or “this way” and teach them what it actually means with rewards, don’t leave them trying to work out what you want from them.

❌ 3. Listening isn’t rewarding… yet

If responding means the fun ends (lead on, game over), your puppy learns to delay responding. Would you run to someone who ends your party?
Fix: Sometimes recall means “come and get a snack, then go play again.” Make it worth their while. You need to build your relationship with your puppy and I like to think of it ‘the party at the park is always with me!’.

How to Teach Focus When Your Puppy Isn’t Listening

✅ Play “Look at Me” in easy settings first
Start in your living room. Mark and reward every glance toward you. Work up to eye contact. Make it a game — “When I look at you, good things happen.”

✅ Train where they can win
A park full of dogs and humans is not the best place to teach recall from scratch. Start in your garden. Then your driveway. Then a quiet walk. This is “Puppy Hogwarts” — level 1 before level 10!

✅ Make yourself more interesting (yes, really)
If you’re just standing still shouting “here”, you’re losing. Try crouching down, using your voice warmly, clapping, running away — yes, be the fun one, remember be the party in the park.

The good news is, a puppy not listening can be turned into a puppy that wants to check in. Think about building your bond and relationship and the other training stuff comes a lot easier!

Signs Your Puppy Is Confused (Not Being Stubborn):

They stop and stare blankly (translation: “Is this a test?”)
They do every trick they know in one go (sit, spin, lie down, sneeze) hoping for a win
They sniff the floor to avoid failing
They act like you’ve never said the word “here” before in your life

If this happens: slow down, make it easier, reward more. You’re not failing — you’re learning how your individual puppy ticks.

What to Do When Your Puppy Isn’t Listening

If your puppy isn’t listening consistently, it’s not a sign of disobedience. It usually means the environment is too hard, the cue hasn’t been reinforced enough, or the reward isn’t motivating enough.

Try reducing distractions, increasing your reward value, and making the task easier so they can get it right — and want to repeat it.

Reward-based training is supported by leading organisations like the Dogs Trust, who recommend using positive methods to teach your dog what to do.

Real Client Example (The Chicken Fix):

One of my clients had a mini schnauzer who was brilliant at home — sit, down, wait — nailed it.

But in the park? You’d think she was a wild fox.

We changed the reward from kibble to roast chicken and practised around no dogs or people before slowly adding one distraction in the distance.

Two weeks later? The same dog was checking in and sitting politely for chicken. The owner was still shocked. I wasn’t.

When your puppy isn’t listening look at what you are offering as a reward to your dog.

Quick Wins for Better Focus:

✔️ Use movement, not just words – dogs love to chase and follow
✔️ Reward immediately, not eventually – your timing matters
✔️ Keep sessions short & sweet – if it feels like a drag, it is
✔️ Celebrate success like they’ve passed their driving test

Q&A: Common Questions from Puppy Owners

Q: “Why does my puppy listen at home but ignore me outside?”

Because the outside world is harder. More smells, more distractions. Start by training indoors, then gradually add challenges like you would in any other skill.

Q: “What’s the best treat for getting focus?”

Whatever your puppy loves. Try chicken, sausage, cheese, or even a toy if they’re more play-driven. The key is that it’s special and only comes out for training.

Q: “Should I tell them off when they ignore me?”

Nope. It might make them more hesitant next time — or teach them to ignore you when they feel unsure. Instead, ask yourself: was the cue trained clearly? Was the environment too hard?

Q: “Is it too late to teach focus?”

Absolutely not. Whether your puppy is 9 weeks or 9 months, you can still teach focus — but you may need more patience if habits have already formed. It’s never too late to build a better connection.

Conclusion:

Before expecting perfect recall, ask yourself if your puppy listening skills have been built gradually.

Your puppy doesn’t need military-style obedience.

They need clarity, rewards that make sense to them, and time to learn what listening looks like — even when the world is full of brilliant distractions.

If you’re stuck in the “they’re ignoring me” loop, I’m here to help you find your way out with kind, thoughtful training that works for your real life — not just on paper.

Want more help?

Struggling with recall, loose lead walking, or general focus?
Click here to explore my Dream Puppy Programme — practical, science-led help for puppy parents who want calm, connected companions.