The Truth About Summer Regression (And Why It’s Normal)

The Summer Slump: When Progress Feels Like It’s Disappearing

You did the training. Your dog was holding Place, walking calmly on leash, even responding to recall like a champ. But then… summer hit.

Kids are home. Guests are coming over. You’re traveling more. And suddenly, your dog starts jumping, barking, or forgetting everything they just mastered. You wonder: “Is all this progress falling apart?”

Here’s the truth: summer regression is normal. In fact, it’s expected. And when you understand what’s actually happening, it stops feeling like failure—and starts looking like feedback.

Why Regression Happens in the Summer

Let’s talk nervous systems and routines. Dogs are creatures of habit. Their behavior is directly tied to predictable structure—what Dr. Stephen Porges, creator of the Polyvagal Theory, calls “neuroception of safety.” When the environment is stable, dogs stay regulated. When things shift—new people, new schedules, new environments—they struggle to stay grounded.

At A Peaceful Pack, we’ve seen it across the board:

• Place drills start breaking down.

• Door rushing returns.

• Recall fades in outdoor chaos.

That’s not because the training didn’t work. It’s because the routine holding that training in place disappeared.

What Regression Actually Means (It’s Not Failure)

Regression is your dog saying:“The environment changed… does the rule still apply?”

This is a powerful moment. Because the answer they get—your leadership or your silence—determines whether the behavior stays strong or slides backward. Here’s the reframe: regression isn’t backtracking. It’s a retest. Every behavioral dip is a signal to reinforce, not a reason to panic.

The Most Common Summer Regression Triggers

1. Kids Home All Day: More stimulation. Less calm. Increased energy spikes without structured downtime.

2. Travel and Schedule Disruptions: Crate time drops. Morning walks get skipped. Rules start loosening—intentionally or not.

3. Guests and Events: Dogs practice excitement, not neutrality. Greetings get louder. Place gets ignored. People pet without permission.

4. Hot Weather = Less Structured Walks:Shorter walks. More off-leash time in the yard. Less leadership, more reactivity (especially near fences).

The Regression Response: Your 3-Step Recovery Plan

1. Reinstate Structure—Even If It’s Smaller

Start with a mini routine. You don’t need 2-hour training blocks to rebuild momentum.

Think:

• Place command while you cook.

• Down stays while kids play.

• Crate time during family movie night.

This small daily rhythm reminds your dog: “We’re still doing the work.”

2. Revisit Your Tools Without Shame

If your dog was off-leash and now ignores you, go back to the long line. If Place used to be automatic but now breaks every five minutes, go back to the e-collar stim at their working level. This isn’t regression—it’s reinforcement. Go back to basics with speed and confidence.

3. Correct Early, Reward Fast

Don’t wait for full-blown chaos. Catch the thought pattern as it starts.

• Jumping? Correct the lean forward.

• Recall delay? Tap stim at first hesitation.

• Fence reactivity? Interrupt the fixation before the bark.

Regression thrives in silence. Stop it with clarity. And when your dog makes the right choice? Mark and reward fast. Your dog isn’t confused—they’re recalibrating. Help them rewire.

Why This Reframe Works (Psychologically and Biologically)

Dr. Carol Dweck, author of Mindset, explains that setbacks are essential to long-term learning. They create new neural pathways. But only when they’re followed with intentional response.

Same with dogs.

If your dog’s recall falters, that’s not the end. That’s a moment to rebuild trust. If your dog stops holding Place, that’s not a personality flaw. It’s a nervous system saying, “This feels different—can I still rely on you?”

Reaffirm the rule. Reinforce the pattern. Reclaim the rhythm. That’s leadership. That’s love.

Regression is a Season. Clarity is the Cure.

Just like summer is a season, so is regression. It doesn’t mean your dog is broken. It means your dog is recalibrating to a louder world.

And your role? To provide the calm. To reestablish the rules. To lead with structure, not shame.

So if you’re in the thick of it—if the barking is back, the jumping returned, the pulling feels like Day 1 again—take a breath. You’re not starting over. You’re stepping up. And that’s what makes the difference.

References

• Dr. Stephen Porges – Polyvagal Theory – Safety through structure, nervous system co-regulation

• Dr. Carol Dweck – Mindset – Setbacks as feedback, not failure