You see another dog approaching. Your puppy gets excited. And the other dog parent asks: “Does your puppy want to say “hi”? My dog’s super friendly!”

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “He knows this,” or “She does it perfectly at home,” you’re not alone. Many dog parents experience the frustration of watching their dog respond reliably in the living room, only to seem completely confused at the park. It can feel like your dog is ignoring you or being stubborn. But in most cases, something very different is happening.

Inside your living room? Angel. Outside in the hallway, park, or apartment building? Chaos. This is one of the most common frustrations in dog training. And it has nothing to do with your dog “testing you.”