Having a dog who ignores your commands can be frustrating. But with some patience and persistence, you can get your pooch to listen up and do what you ask.
Why is my dog ignoring me?
There are a few common reasons why dogs might not listen:
- They don’t understand what you want them to do. Be sure you’re using clear, consistent verbal cues and hand signals.
- They’re distracted or overstimulated. Getting your dog’s attention first will set them up for success.
- The reward isn’t worth it. Make yourself more exciting than the distractions and reinforce commands with high-value treats.
- You haven’t built a strong history of reinforcement. Dogs do what works. Consistent positive reinforcement for listening builds compliance.
- They’re challenging your authority. Some dogs will push boundaries to see what they can get away with.
- They’re not motivated. Find rewards that make your dog excited to listen and engage.
Tips for getting your dog to listen
Here are some simple techniques to troubleshoot a pooch who won’t listen:
1. Get their attention first
Before you give a command, say your dog’s name or make an unusual noise to get them to look at you. Maintain eye contact as you give the cue. If your dog is highly distracted, move closer or use a high-value treat to get their focus.
2. Keep training sessions short
Dogs have short attention spans. Expecting a dog to listen and learn for long periods will only set them up to fail. Keep training sessions to 10-15 minutes max, and take breaks to play or relax.
3. Reinforce listening
Every time your dog responds to a cue, reward them with treats, praise, or play. This builds the habit of compliance. For important commands like come and leave it, always reinforce the behavior.
4. Build a foundation first
If your dog doesn’t know a command well, go back to square one. Teach it in a low-distraction environment first before testing it in more challenging scenarios. Build a rock-solid response on basic cues through repetition.
5. Use a leash or long line
When teaching important obedience cues like come, working on a fixed length long line lets you reinforce the behavior and prevent rewarding ignoring you.
6. Vary your reinforcement
Dogs get bored doing the same old thing. Mix up the rewards you use – praise, petting, different treats, toys – so listening remains fun and engaging.
7. Try higher-value rewards
If your dog ignores a cue, the distraction is likely more rewarding than what you offer. Up the ante with a reward your dog can’t resist like chicken, hot dogs, or freedom to play.
8. Manage the environment
Remove distractions and set your dog up for success during training sessions. Proof commands in minimized distraction environments before big tests like the dog park.
9. Don’t repeat cues
If you say “sit” five times and your dog eventually complies, he’s learned he can ignore you four times. Give a cue just once, then guide your dog into position if needed.
10. Stay calm and patient
Dogs mirror our energy. If you get angry or impatient, your dog will be less likely to listen. Take a deep breath and refocus on rewarding effort.
How to teach your dog the basic commands
To set your dog up for success, spend time teaching the core obedience cues using positive reinforcement:
Watch me
Hold a treat at your dog’s nose, say “watch me” then move it to your eyes. Reward eye contact. Build duration over time.
Sit
Hold a treat over your dog’s nose, move it back between ears, causing their butt to lower. Say “sit” then reward in position.
Down
Ask for a sit first. Hold a treat by your dog’s nose, lower it straight down to the floor. Say “down” then reward laying down.
Stay
After a sit or down, say “stay”, take one step back, then return and reward for staying put.
Come
Call your puppy’s name excitedly while backing up. When they follow, say “come” then reward. Build distance and distractions gradually.
Leave it
Hold a treat in your fist. Let your dog sniff then close fingers around it when he licks or paws. Say “leave it” then open fist and reward.
Take it
Offer a treat in your open palm. Let your dog sniff the reward. Say “take it” and let him eat the treat from your hand.
Drop it
Give your dog a toy then say “drop it”. When he releases, say “yes!” then reward with a treat while he’s not holding the toy.
Troubleshooting common training challenges
If your dog still struggles with obedience, consider what might be making listening difficult for them:
| Problem | Potential Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Doesn’t pay attention | Bored or overstimulated | Make training more exciting, keep sessions brief |
| Too distracted outdoors | Too challenging environment | Long line, high-value rewards, start training indoors |
| Leaves stay position | Not fully trained, insufficient reinforcement history | More repetition, reward every stay for now |
| Won’t come when called | Distractions more rewarding | Long line, run backwards, super rewards |
| Doesn’t drop or give up items | Insufficient reinforcement history | Reward every release, 2 toys for trading |
| Responds slowly | Still learning, not fluent behavior | More repetition, reward approximated efforts |
| Gets mouthy during training | Overexcited, self-rewarding | Calm energy, reward calmness |
When to get professional help
While nearly every dog can learn basic obedience, some pups present challenges beyond what an owner can reasonably handle alone. Getting professional training help is recommended if your dog:
- Doesn’t respond to any reward-based training efforts
- Exhibits aggressive behavior like growling or biting
- Has a history of abuse or chronic fear
- Is causing harm or dangerous problems like chasing cars
- Has an independent, defiant, or extremely distracted temperament
- Is significantly stressful, anxious, or obsessive compulsive
A force-free trainer or veterinary behaviorist can assess your dog’s needs and challenges and create an individualized training and behavior modification plan. Medication may also be recommended in some cases.
Investing in professional help as needed gives you the best chance at living harmoniously and happily with your dog.
The importance of patience and realistic expectations
Dogs don’t speak English and have very different brains than humans. Successful training requires breaking communication down into small, achievable steps your dog can comprehend.
Have realistic expectations for the speed of training based on factors like:
- Your dog’s age, breed tendencies, and individual temperament
- Any physical or cognitive limitations present
- How long you’ve owned your dog and their background
- How much time you can dedicate to training each day
Regardless of your dog’s natural tendencies, with consistent positive reinforcement nearly any dog can master basic obedience. But it may take hundreds or thousands of repetitions over weeks, months, or years to get there.
The training journey requires patience on your end. Progress will come in small increments. There will inevitably be setbacks. But over time, those tiny steps forward will accumulate into a dog who reliably responds to commands that once seemed impossible.
Don’t compare your dog’s progress to others or get frustrated over what they “should” know by now. Meeting them where they are at and focusing on incremental improvement will get you both where you want to go.
Conclusion
If your dog has stopped listening, take a step back and set them up for success again. Reinforce and reward compliance to get back on track. Stay calm, patient, and focused on progress not perfection during the training journey. And don’t hesitate to get professional help sooner than later for more serious behavior issues.
With time, positive methods, and realistic expectations, you can establish or re-establish a foundation of obedience cues and trust with your dog. And you’ll both be happier for it.