Could You Be Confusing Your Dog?

Too often dog owners ask: "Why won't my dog listen to me?" The simple answer is because they don't understand what you are saying.

If you are familiar with the Bark Busters training methods, you know that the foundation of our behavioural changes rests on communication - voice tones and body language. For thousands of years, this is how dogs have communicated with each other. Dogs behave consistently in response to certain triggers. Unfortunately, it is often humans causing the problems when inconsistent commands are issued or rules are not consistently applied.

The end result? Your dog is listening to you but doesn't understand what you are saying. Remember that your dog wants to please you, they just don't know how.

Why Your Dog Doesn't Listen

When your dog is not listening to you it may be because you are confusing them by using inconsistent commands and failing to praise their success. For instance, you may say "no" to your dog, your partner may say "stop" and your children may simply call their name. All of you use different voice tones, some being high pitched and others being low.

There may even be different rules throughout your household. Some of you may allow your dog on the couch, some don't, or you find yourself not correcting your dog when you are tired. Some may sneak them table scraps yet you don't want them begging at the dinner table. Some may allow them to jump up, some may only discourage them when they're in nice clothes or the dog is muddy. All of these inconsistencies result in a very confused dog!

Getting Your Dog To Listen

The same rules apply to training. You must use simple, clear and consistent commands, and always follow with praise. Want your dog to sit? "Sit" is the command followed by "good boy" with everyone in the family using the same command. Don't alter the phrase by saying "you need to sit" or "sit down please". You will only confuse your dog with too many different words. If you have a puppy and your dog doesn't know what "sit" means, then you can use some gentle manual pressure to place your dog in the sit position, accompanied by the word "sit" and then praise when they sit. Your dog will quickly catch on to the idea.

Do not get into the practice of giving your dog a treat every time they sit or they will begin to expect it. Not only will your dog become overweight from all the treats, but you'll have to carry treats around in your pockets at all times. Treat training can produce short results. You are trying to get your dog to listen to you forever and a day!

Also remember that the dog's name is not a command. So, if you are calling your dog by shouting their name over and over again, your dog will hear what you are saying but not understand what you want them to do. They may come to you or not. They may come to you this time if they think you have something for them, but this command may not work outdoors with interesting people, dogs and smells. Decide on a recall command such as "Rover come" and use it consistently whenever and wherever you want your dog to come to you. Don't forget the praise so that they understand they are doing the right thing.

Your dog will listen to you once you learn to communicate with them clearly and consistently. Write down your commands so that everyone in the family follows them. Don't allow variables to creep in.

Once your dog has mastered the basics of obedience training and responds to "come", sit" "stay", etc. you can move on to more advanced behaviour training. If you need our help, Bark Busters trainers are ready and your dog will thank you for it!

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