Why is my dog not responding to my commands?
Ernestina Padberg
2025-06-29 12:21:03
Count answers
: 6
Dogs don’t naturally generalize well, they often associate commands with specific locations or individuals. Achieving generalization ensures that your dog will respond reliably to your cues, no matter where you are or who’s present. It’s crucial because dogs often associate commands with specific locations or individuals. You want your dog to respond to these commands regardless of the situation to keep them safe. Start with Consistency, start your training in a controlled environment without distractions, the quiet space of your home is a great example, use consistent cues and rewards. Ensure your dog thoroughly understands the behavior in one place before moving on.
Dogs tend to associate commands with the person who initially taught them, by involving others, your dog will learn to respond to the obedience cues from anyone. Practice the behaviors regularly, even after your dog has seemingly mastered them, it reinforces the generalization process and maintains your dog’s responsiveness. The more diverse the settings, the better your dog will generalize the behavior.
Ned Schmidt
2025-06-17 08:18:50
Count answers
: 9
Your dog also may be ignoring your commands if they are older, not fully trained, distracted by fear, pain, or other external Stimuli. Your dog may ignore your commands if they are distracted by something or someone else, if they are receiving signals from you that oppose what they want to do, or if no reward is present to reinforce their good behavior while they are still learning. The most common reason your dog will ignore your commands is the improper use of repetition on your part. When your dog hears a command repeatedly, with no meaning attached to the command, their brain turns it into background noise, and they ignore it. Command repetition without meaning is a common issue that occurs when a dog is called to come by command or by its name. You repeatedly say the command while your dog is more motivated by something else, such as a toy, another person, or an animal. If your dog comes back to you but then you put them on a leash or take them home when they want to be out, this is another example of repetition without meaning. Your dog obeys your command, but they are not rewarded.
Jordon Kohler
2025-06-14 00:02:47
Count answers
: 17
The reasons for this are numerous, ranging from just an age related phase, not adequate training, fear, or just simple distraction issues. Age can be a factor, as puppies go through quite a few learning stages, and when adolescence approaches, many pups go through a period of rebellion. Usually this is when a pup that was well trained seems to not have any training at all. Some dogs aren't listening simply because their owners have a misunderstanding of how well they trained their dog. If the dog has a so/so recall in the yard, expecting him to come at the park is just silly. Every dog is going to have a fear of something or someone in their life, and dogs are not very obedient when afraid. Distraction goes back to a dog that doesn't have adequate training, and distractions can be objects, people, animals and even environments. Lastly, there are times a dog doesn't listen because he is in pain and the owner is not aware. A well trained older dog proofed with distractions that isn't showing fear, most likely has a very good reason for not complying with a command.
Myrtie Schumm
2025-06-02 03:03:10
Count answers
: 10
Maybe my treat aren't high enough value, or there's too many distractions etc. I had a trainer that told me that every command should be enforced. For example an ignored "sit" command should be followed by a "no" and then either push the dogs butt down, use leash pressure or lure into position with food. Currently I will mark "no" and either repeat the command once, use very mild leash pressure or lure with a treat. Wouldnt letting any command slide be teaching the dog they can simply ignore them? Is using leash pressure or luring also counterproductive, will it teach my dog to simply wait for a lure or physical cue?
Laverne Sanford
2025-06-02 01:16:49
Count answers
: 7
If I issue a command, and the dog I’m training does not respond to that command… then I will stop to figure out why he didn’t respond. If it’s because he didn’t understand the command, then I need to go back to basics and do more repetitions. If the dog is simply not responding because he’s being stubborn or head-strong, then I’ll make my correction more motivational. Your commands should only be loud enough for your dog to hear. Never yell at your dog, because the only thing that raising your voice achieves is to communicate to your dog that you really DO NOT have control. So, where am I going with this line of reasoning, well, just remember that you should NEVER give a command that you cannot enforce, until your dog is 100%. And you’ll know when he is 100% when his responses to commands are immediate.