Your dog is not listening? Let’s remember that it’s a fact: dogs are not born with a flawless understanding of human language. Quite the opposite: imagine that someone asks you a question in a language you don’t know, with the hope that you will answer correctly… It can quickly become confusing and frustrating for both parties.
There are several keys to learning for our canine friends, but patience and consistency remain two of the most valuable allies. Keep in mind that training is done as a team between the owner and the dog. Changing your dog’s behavior is first and foremost changing your behavior towards him.
Start with the basics
We all look forward to the moment when our dog has learned the basic commands in order to move on to the next step. However, we must not skip any steps or be too demanding of him. Just like us, dogs’ learning speed varies. For some, more time and energy on your part will be necessary.
Simple and consistent commands will be your best friend. In order for your dog to recognize the requested action, he must associate it with a specific word. Remember that even if your dog often hears you speak, he does not understand human language. This is why it is essential to choose specific words for each command and to not deviate from them!
In the same vein, consistency in gestures and voice intonation are beneficial for learning. For example, some owners lean their body down and point to the ground with their hand while saying the command “sit”. This habit, if always applied, promotes the assimilation of the instruction. Favor a calm and firm voice. No need to speak louder when your dog does not obey: he hears you, but simply does not understand. Persevere and keep an encouraging tone!
Reinforce good behavior
Rewarding success will serve you better than punishing failures. That’s why, when your dog responds to a command, your reaction must reflect this positively. Petting, a comforting tone of voice, playtime or a treat are good ways for your dog to reward good behavior. He will understand that it is rewarding to obey commands and the positivity will lead him to want to please you.
Also, before ending a training session, make sure to end on a success. This habit reinforces your dog’s desire to learn, since he keeps a positive memory of it.
Consistency, consistency, consistency!
It can be tempting to make an exception and allow your dog a pleasure that is usually forbidden to reward good behavior. But this fleeting reward can have a significant impact on his obedience as well as his trust in you. Again, keep in mind that your dog does not understand our language, and he will not understand that this is an exceptional permission.
Our dogs need a stable figure that they can trust at all times: a consistent figure that maintains the same expectations and rules day after day. If you decide that a behavior is forbidden, you must remain consistent so as not to confuse your dog. Therefore, consistency helps to avoid confusing your dog or giving him the impression that he can choose when he wants (or not!) to follow the established rules.
If you have any questions related to your dog’s obedience, do not hesitate to contact us!