Impulse control
Teaching Impulse Control in Dogs: Why It Matters and How to Improve It
Impulse control is one of the most valuable skills you can teach your dog, yet it’s often overlooked—especially during the teenage phase when your once cooperative pup suddenly seems to forget everything you’ve worked on. From staying in a sit or down position, to not lunging at another dog on a walk, impulse control underpins so many behaviors we want to see in our canine companions.
Why Impulse Control Matters
Impulse control (also known as “self-regulation”) refers to your dog’s ability to resist reacting to immediate desires or distractions and instead wait for your guidance. It’s what helps your dog:
Hold a sit or down stay even when someone walks by or a toy is thrown.
Stay calm around other dogs instead of barking, lunging, or fixating.
Wait politely at doorways or before jumping out of the car.
Avoid stealing food from counters or chasing squirrels across the road.
In short, it’s the foundation of polite, responsive, and safe behavior—especially in high-stimulation environments.
Why Teenage Dogs Struggle With It
Just like human teenagers, adolescent dogs (usually around 6 months to 2 years old, depending on the breed) go through a period of rapid physical and hormonal change. During this time, they’re more likely to test boundaries, have mood swings, and struggle with focus.
Even if your puppy had great manners a few months ago, it’s totally normal for impulse control to seem like it’s vanished. Don’t panic—it’s not gone forever. It just needs to be reinforced and practiced in new, age-appropriate ways. For more information on this see my teenager blog.
Everyday Ways to Build Impulse Control
The good news? You don’t need fancy training sessions to teach impulse control. You can work it into your daily routines with simple exercises that ask your dog to “wait for permission.”
Here are some examples:
1. Wait to Eat
Ask your dog to sit or wait while you place their food bowl down. Release them with a cue like “Okay” or “Break!” once they’ve remained calm for a few seconds. Start small—don’t expect a full minute right away—and gradually increase the difficulty as they improve.
2. Wait at Doorways
Before opening the front door for a walk, ask your dog to sit. The door opening becomes the distraction. Only let them through once they remain calm and still. This helps prevent door-dashing and encourages patience.
3. Wait to Exit the Car
The same as above but using the car door instead of the front door. This is especially important for safety in busy or unfamiliar environments.
Using Food and Toys to Improve Impulse Control
Another way to teach self-control is through object-based exercises—starting with things your dog values less and building up to higher-value rewards.
Here’s how:
Start with low-value items. Use something mildly interesting like a piece of kibble or toy your dog doesn’t love.
Place it on the floor and ask your dog to leave it. Mark and reward them for making good choices (looking away, not lunging, staying in a sit).
Slowly increase the challenge. As your dog improves, use higher-value food or their favorite toy. You can then work up to throwing the toy- starting by just dropping it on the floor then gradually increasing the distance. The goal is for them to learn that waiting calmly earns rewards faster than grabbing.
How Impulse Control Helps with Overall Training
Once your dog develops stronger impulse control in specific situations, you’ll start seeing the effects ripple out into other areas of training:
Your dog becomes more focused during obedience sessions.
They recover faster from distractions.
You have an easier time teaching calm behavior around other dogs, people, and environmental triggers.
It’s like a muscle—the more you work on it, the stronger and more reliable it becomes.
Final Thoughts
Impulse control isn’t something that just “clicks” one day—it’s a skill developed over time, especially during adolescence when your dog needs extra help navigating their excitement and energy. By incorporating small daily exercises, using food and toys strategically, and setting clear expectations, you can build a dog who not only listens but chooses to stay calm and focused.
Patience and consistency go a long way. You’ve got this—and your dog does too.
