The Day I Learned to Listen to My Pug: A Lesson Every Owner Should Know
June 15, 2025
So, here you are. Six months deep into pug parenthood.
If you’re anything like the rest of us, you’re wondering how this snorting, squishy-faced chaos machine managed to steal your heart and wreck your sanity all in the same moment. One minute they’re cuddled up in your arms like a tiny angel, and the next, they’re dragging your underwear through the house like it’s a victory flag.
But pay attention—the age of six months marks a sea change. You’re not in that helpless puppy phase anymore, but you’re not out of the storm either. This is the teenage stage. That means stubbornness, sass, and sudden selective hearing.
But it also means your pug is finally old enough to learn, listen (kinda), and bond with you in a way that’ll last for life.
Let’s discuss what this stage actually looks like from an emotional, practical, and honest standpoint.
Your six-month-old pug is no longer a baby; instead, they resemble a hyperactive toddler who believes they are an expert on everything.
They’re curious, bold, and way too confident for their own good.
They test every limit, every rule, and every ounce of your patience.
Potty training? Still a work in progress.
Chewing? You better believe it.
Listening? Only if there’s cheese involved.
Beneath all of that mischief, though, is a dog who is frantically trying to learn about the world and you. They’re trying to figure it all out, and they’re looking to you to lead the way.
They are aware of the word “sit”—when they feel like it.
Indeed, they have heard “no,” but they think it’s a cute suggestion.
Six months is the time to go back to basics, not because they forgot, but because repetition builds muscle memory and real-world confidence.
Keep your commands short and your tone loving but firm.
Reward every win like it’s the first time they ever got it right.
Practice daily, even if it’s only for five minutes, to avoid becoming lazy.
Vary the environment so they learn to listen anywhere, not just on your living room rug.
Training at this age is like teaching a teenager how to drive. It takes time. It takes trust. It takes snacks.
A few weeks of success can give you a false sense of security, let’s face it. Then boom. A puddle in your hallway. Again.
Pug puppies love to keep you humble.
This stage is about reinforcing the routine and tightening up any weak spots.
Stick to a consistent potty schedule. Like religiously.
Praise them like they just discovered fire every time they go outside.
If there’s an accident, don’t get mad. Clean it, reset, and move on.
You’re not back at square one. You’re just smoothing the edges.
Crates often get a bad rap. However, that comfortable little den is a lifesaver for a pug, both for them and for you.
At this age, they might resist. They might whine. However, they are merely testing you; they are not rejecting the crate.
Make the crate feel like a retreat, not a punishment.
Add soft blankets, toys, and something that smells like you.
Feed meals in there. Let them nap in there.
Above all, maintain consistency.
This is where they learn self-regulation. Where they calm down, reset, and feel safe. Don’t give up on the crate now. It’s more important than ever.
Pugs at six months have one setting: full send. They see something, they want it, they GO.
Impulse control training is about helping your pug pause before they act. It’s challenging. For them and for you.
Work on “wait” before meals or going out the door.
Teach “leave it” with high-value distractions (food, toys, your shoes).
Use “stay” like it’s a yoga pose. Start short, and stretch it out as they succeed.
These skills are the difference between a dog that listens and one that sprints into traffic because a butterfly looked at them funny.
At six months, your pug is absorbing the world like a sponge. And unfortunately, they’ll absorb fear and anxiety just as fast as joy and excitement.
So socialization isn’t optional. It’s your secret weapon.
Gently introduce new dogs, people, sounds, and places.
Keep outings short, safe, and positive.
Pair every new experience with praise or treats.
This is how you raise a confident, inquisitive, and courageous dog. A pug who doesn’t freak out when the mailman shows up in sunglasses.
Pugs may be comedians, but they’re also thinkers. They will find their own amusement if they aren’t stimulated, and spoiler alert: it will involve chewing something pricey.
Hide treats around the house for a mini scavenger hunt.
Teach them silly tricks like “spin,” “high five,” or “boop.”
Use puzzle toys or frozen Kong snacks to keep them focused.
Their behavior definitely improves when their brain is rested.
Let’s be real. Some days, you’ll feel like a failure. You’ll cry into your hoodie while your pug gleefully shreds a roll of toilet paper like it’s performance art.
But you are doing amazing. Even when it feels like nothing’s working, it is.
Every moment you stay patient. Every time you reward the good. Every time you choose kindness over yelling. That’s what they remember. That’s how they learn.
Despite being messy and draining, training a six-month-old pug is well worth the effort.
These little dogs? They’re smart. They’re emotional. They’re stubborn. Above all, though, they are devoted. Once you push through this stage, you unlock a bond that lasts for life.
So take a deep breath. Take a break when you need to. And have faith that beneath the mischief, the chaos, and all that love, the dog of your dreams is right there.
You’re not just raising a pug. You’re raising your best friend.
And you’re doing better than you think.
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