5 Reasons Your Dog Won't Listen to You

Dogs are known to be man's best friend. However, sometimes your furry friends will turn a deaf ear to your commands. Are you wondering why your dog doesn't listen to you? There are multiple reasons why your four-legged friend is ignoring you. We are listing five most common reasons why your dogs won't listen to you.                                            

• Boredom

Dogs are always looking for something to do. A bored dog can chew furniture or clothes, try to open food bags, bark continuously to gain extra attention.

You can't entertain your dog all day but mixing up your dog's routine with mentally stimulating activities can be very effective. Stimulation can prevent boredom, keep them happy, and will make them more likely to listen to you.                       

              

• Lack of training

If your dog has a behaviour issue and is not listening to you, this might be due to a lack of proper training.

You cannot expect your dog to behave well if it has not been trained properly. Practice basic skills, reinforce them, and then gradually increase the difficulty. Dogs operate in a pack mentality and you need to become the alpha of the pack. It is up to you to decide how you can make the training interesting and effective.

You need to reinforce the training lessons regularly. Often, dogs will not respond to a command quickly even after training. This usually means that you need to practice teaching in different environments with multiple repetitions.                        

• Low degree of reinforcement

One of the most common factors for disobedience in dogs is due to the low rate of reinforcement of commands and instructions. A high degree of reinforcement is more likely to  make your dog listen to your commands.

You can try to motivate your dog by using delicious treats as a reward and positive reinforcement. Other motivators that can be used are praises, encouraging words, interactive toys, or even simple games like tug of war, fetch or hide and seek. You should try a range of different activities and measures to find out what works best for your dog.  

• Excess energy

Dogs will usually stop listening to you if they have excess energy which has not been drained off. If you do not meet the physical requirements of your dog, your buddy is going to have a hard time listening to you.

The right amount of exercise depends on the age and the breed. Some breeds are highly energetic and need an extensive exercise routine. You should talk to your vet to determine the right amount of daily exercises required for your dog.                                                                                            

• Fear and anxiety

Usually, dogs are not very obedient when they are fearful or anxious. Fear and anxiety can make dogs ignore commands.

A fearful or anxious dog is unable to focus. There are several factors like loud noises, new people, a new environment, or a trip to the vet that can induce fear and anxiety in the dog.

How to get your dog to listen to you?
If you are concerned about the way your dog is behaving towards you, don’t worry! There are several proven and effective ways in which you can make your dog to listen to you

Here are a few of the proven methods to make your dog more responsive:

• Remove excess energy


If your dog has pent up energy, it will make the dog irritable and unlikely to listen to you. It is imperative that you remove the excess energy to calm the dog by indulging in physical exercise like playing fetch, tug-of-war etc.If you access to a large area, then you can let the dog off-leash and allow it to run and explore at it’s own speed. These activities will keep your dog busy, reduce the excess energy and it more responsive to you.

• Pay attention to your dog's emotional state


Just like humans, dogs can have different emotional states like fear, anger, happiness, or sorrow. These emotional states are usually triggered by the environment. You need to understand your dog's emotional state. Try and spend more time with your furry friend to develop a strong emotional relationship.

• Be patient 


Teaching your dog to listen to you will take time and effort. You need to be patient with your dog. Some dogs are intelligent and easy to train. Others might have a stubborn and independent personality. Allow your dog to move at its own pace. Your furry friend might take months or just a couple of weeks to get trained properly.

• Be consistent


Being consistent is the key to teaching your dog to listen to you. You can try to motivate your dog by using delicious treats as a reward and positive reinforcement. Other motivators that can be used are praises, encouraging words, interactive toys, or even simple games like tug of war, fetch or hide and seek. You should try a range of different activities and measures to find out what works best for your dog.

• Eliminate distractions 


Distractions can be any object, human, animal, or scenario that hamper your dog's ability to respond. Try to teach your dog in distraction free environment. You can begin training your furry pal in a quiet and familiar place like your garden or backyard. Once your dog has grasped focus, move out, and try other places like public or dog parks.

• Seek professional help


If nothing works well, you should seek professional help. A professional dog trainer can provide effective and trained help to you in order to train your dog. Sometimes dogs can stop listening due to an underlying medical conditions. If you notice any such signs, contact your vet immediately. He will confirm whether your dog has a medical problem.

Final Thoughts

All dogs are different! You need to listen to what your furry friend is telling you. Remember that dogs don't just disobey you without any reason. Find the reason why your dog is not listening to you. Remedy it and make things smooth for you and your dog.

Does your furry friend behave well and listen to you? Share your experiences with us!