Why You Shouldn’t Get Frustrated When Your Puppy Isn’t Listening

Unless your puppy is up at night studying the dictionary, it's highly unlikely they know what you're saying!

Bringing a new puppy into your home is exciting, but it can also be frustrating when they don’t seem to listen to you. You tell them to sit, and they stare at you blankly. You call their name, and they ignore you completely. It’s easy to feel like they’re being stubborn or defiant—but the truth is, they just don’t understand you yet.

Puppies Don’t Speak English

As humans, we rely heavily on language. We communicate through words all day, every day, and we instinctively expect others to understand us. But dogs don’t come pre-programmed to know what “sit,” “stay,” or “come” mean. To them, these are just random sounds at first.

Imagine moving to a country where you don’t speak the language. If someone says, “Please take a seat,” in a language you don’t know, you wouldn’t immediately understand what they want. However, if every time they say that phrase, they gently guide you to a chair and reward you, you’d eventually start to connect the phrase with the action. This is exactly how puppies learn words—through association and repetition.

How Puppies Learn Words

Over time, puppies begin to associate certain sounds with actions and outcomes. If every time you say “sit,” you gently guide them into position and give them a treat, they’ll start to connect the word “sit” with both the action and the reward.

The key here is patience and consistency. If you repeat words in the same way and use clear body language, your puppy will start to pick up on what you’re asking. However, if you get frustrated and start changing the way you say a command, your puppy might get confused. For example, saying “sit” one moment and then “sit down” the next might seem minor to you, but to your puppy, it’s like being asked to do something completely different.

Puppies Respond More to Tone and Body Language

Since dogs don’t naturally understand human words, they rely more on tone of voice and body language. If you call your puppy in a frustrated or angry tone, they may hesitate to come to you, not because they’re being disobedient, but because they sense your frustration and feel unsure.

Instead of focusing just on words, try to use clear hand signals and a friendly, encouraging tone. Many dogs respond better to visual cues than verbal ones, so pairing a hand signal with a word can speed up learning.

Frustration Slows the Learning Process

When you get frustrated, it’s easy to raise your voice, repeat commands over and over, or even give up. But frustration doesn’t help your puppy learn faster—it actually does the opposite. Dogs learn best in a positive, stress-free environment. If they sense that you’re upset, they may become anxious or shut down, making training even harder.

Instead, take a deep breath, remind yourself that your puppy is still learning, and focus on rewarding even small successes. Training takes time, but every moment you spend teaching your puppy helps them better understand your language and expectations.

Final Thoughts

If your puppy isn’t listening, it’s not because they’re stubborn—it’s because they’re still figuring out what you’re asking. Be patient, stay consistent, and remember that learning a new language takes time. With positive reinforcement and clear communication, your puppy will soon start to understand and respond to your commands, making training a fun and rewarding experience for both of you.