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Was Your Dog Harder to Train During the Pandemic? Science Says You're Not Alone

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 15:29 GMT by gizmodo.com
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The Pandemic’s Quiet Side: Why Your Dog Might Have Been Harder to Train – and What Science Says

When the world locked down in early 2020, the most dramatic changes in many households weren’t the new work-from‑home desks or the surge in streaming subscriptions. For millions of pet owners, the quietest, most personal shift was the way their dogs behaved. A new study, highlighted in Gizmodo’s recent piece “Was Your Dog Harder to Train During the Pandemic? Science Says You’re Not Alone,” reveals that the pandemic didn’t just alter our schedules—it also disrupted the delicate rhythm of training and socialization that keeps our canine companions happy and obedient.

The Study That Brought the Data to Light

At the heart of Gizmodo’s article is a large, internet‑based survey conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan’s Center for Animal Behavior. Over 4,000 respondents—most of whom were dog owners in the United States—completed a questionnaire that probed changes in their pets’ behavior, owners’ training strategies, and the overall emotional climate of the household during COVID‑19 lockdowns.

The researchers found that 62 % of owners reported a noticeable decline in their dog’s willingness to learn new commands or obey existing ones during the pandemic. The most common challenges were increased disobedience, longer training sessions that ended in frustration, and a sudden uptick in behavioral problems such as excessive barking or chewing.

What makes the data compelling is that it wasn’t limited to a single demographic or region. Whether the family lived in an apartment in New York or a suburban home in Texas, the pattern held: dogs that had been trained in a consistent routine before the pandemic struggled when that routine was interrupted.

“Training is a social activity that thrives on consistency,” says Dr. Emily Chen, a behavioral scientist at the University of Michigan and lead author of the study. “When the home environment changes—like when you’re stuck at home 24 h a day—dogs can feel a loss of structure that translates into what we see as “harder to train.”

Why the Routine Matters

Dogs, like most animals, rely on environmental cues to understand expectations. In a typical day, a dog knows that a morning walk precedes a treat, that a voice says “sit” during a training session, and that a leash is put on at a certain time. When these cues are removed or altered, the dog’s internal “schedule” is disrupted.

The article references a 2021 review in Applied Animal Behaviour Science (available at [ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.106123 ]) that shows a strong correlation between routine stability and reduced stress in companion animals. The pandemic, by forcing families to alter work hours, travel, and daily habits, essentially created a new “environmental baseline.” Dogs, unable to readjust quickly, often responded with anxiety or defiant behaviors—both of which can masquerade as “harder to train.”

Training Techniques That Held Up

While many owners struggled, the Gizmodo piece also offered a silver lining: positive reinforcement emerged as the most resilient training strategy during the lockdown. The survey found that owners who used clicker training, treats, or play rewards to reinforce desired behaviors reported fewer frustrations and higher success rates than those who relied on punishment or aversive methods.

Dr. Chen explains that positive reinforcement “helps the dog’s brain associate the action with a reward, which creates a stronger, more flexible learning pattern.” She cites evidence from the Journal of Veterinary Behavior that indicates reward‑based training can mitigate anxiety even when routines are disrupted ([ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2020.02.004 ]).

The Role of Socialization

Another key takeaway from Gizmodo’s article is the importance of socialization—exposure to new environments, people, and other animals. During lockdowns, many dogs lost their regular “walk‑and‑meet” interactions. This deprivation, the study notes, is linked to a higher incidence of aggression and fearfulness. Owners who found ways to keep their dogs physically active—through indoor agility setups or safe, isolated dog parks—reported a smoother training experience.

“When dogs are bored or anxious, they can channel that energy into unwanted behaviors,” says Dr. Chen. “Regular exposure helps maintain their confidence and keeps the learning process on track.”

Expert Tips for Post‑Pandemic Training

To help readers recover from the training hiccup, Gizmodo includes practical advice from canine experts:

1. Re‑establish a predictable routine—set regular times for meals, walks, and training sessions. Dogs thrive on predictability.
2. Keep training sessions short and fun—about 5–10 minutes each, with frequent positive rewards.
3. Gradually re‑introduce socialization—start with controlled, low‑stress encounters before moving to bustling parks or crowded spaces.
4. Be patient and consistent—avoid punishing or rushing the learning process, which can reset progress.

The article also links to an informative resource from the American Kennel Club (AKC) on “Training Your Dog in a Post‑COVID World” ([ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/your-dog-training-in-a-post-covid-world/ ]), which expands on these strategies and includes sample training schedules.

A Shared Experience

Beyond the science, the Gizmodo piece poignantly captures a shared human experience. Many owners—whether first‑time dog parents or seasoned trainers—found themselves wrestling with a pet that seemed less eager to learn or more prone to mischief. The article’s title, “Was Your Dog Harder to Train During the Pandemic? Science Says You’re Not Alone,” resonates because it acknowledges that the problem is not a fault of the dog or the owner; it’s a symptom of a broader, global disruption.

The study’s findings are a reminder that animals, like humans, are sensitive to changes in their environment and social interactions. As we navigate a post‑pandemic world, re‑building routines, fostering positive reinforcement, and ensuring ample social exposure can help both dogs and their owners regain that harmony.

In sum, Gizmodo’s article is more than a summary of a research paper—it’s a call to action for dog owners everywhere to re‑invest in training, patience, and the simple, everyday rituals that keep our four‑legged companions happy, healthy, and well‑behaved.