Help My Dog Won’t Listen!
1. Set the dog up for success. Start by working in a quiet environment. New and chaotic places can be overwhelming for a dog. We will get to the point that your dog can listen around high-level distractions, but that’s not the place to start.
2. Only give commands when you can follow through on them. (This is most important for things like “come”.) Rather than repeat the command, simply go get the dog/grab the leash. Otherwise the dog is learning that listening is optional, and that she can tune you out. Having the dog drag a light leash is a great way to encourage/enforce good behavior. Consistency is more important than the severity of the consequences. This is about clarity, not bullying the dog.
3. Insist that your dog earn its freedom. Here’s a secret: Most of the dogs that you see who have a ton of off-leash freedom, who never have to be put away when guests come over, who don’t think of taking food off the table — these were the dogs that had the LEAST amount of freedom when they first came into the house. Limiting freedom in the short-term prevents the development of bad habits and makes the dog more tuned-in to people. Proper management accelerates training.
4. Use food strategically. Avoid free-feeding unless medically required. Have the dog work for as much of its food as possible. A dog whose food comes directly from people pays more respect to people. Hide a treat in your pocket and reward the dog randomly for checking in with you or coming when called, rather than making “treat time” predictable with crinkling bags and “wanna treat?” bribes. Even if treat-training has failed you in the past, I recommend strategically using the food that the dog is getting one way or another to your advantage.
5. Make yourself more exciting. There are all sorts of games you can play with your dog that will strengthen attention and respect. With games, we can use the dog’s apparent stubbornness to our advantage. Games also teach boundaries, rules and self-control. Most see games as just frivolous fun. Trainers see them as opportunities to build character in your dog.
6. Aim for high standards mixed with patience. This goes back to the consistency point. We will set the dogs up for success yet also gradually demand more of them. We will respond without hesitation to give clear guidance. Always correct with the intention to teach, not to vent our frustration, disappointment or exasperation. Dogs respond to our frustration with hyper activity and their own unstable behavior. Don’t beat yourself up if you worry that your own reactions might be contributing to the bad behavior, simply adjust your approach and revisit the previous points. The dog can always be trained. Sometimes we just need to tweak our approach. Your dog will be listening better in no time, no matter the age or breed!
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Nate Hess is a dog behavior specialist and the owner of Dogspring Training, which provides comprehensive dog training and behavior consultation services in Fresno and Clovis, California. He is a graduate of Stanford University, a member of the International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants (IAABC), and an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs. He also consults with dog rescues across the country.