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

- Pay attention to your dog's emotional state
- Be patient

- Be consistent
- Eliminate distractions
- 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!
1 comment
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