Distracted? No focus? How to get your dog to listen, pay attention to you
If your dog doesn’t listen to you, it may be a training issue or an underlying health condition. Understand the problem to find a solution.
Knowing how to get your dog to listen to you is more than a convenience — it’s a safety measure. Should your dog escape or slip from its harness or collar, you need a reliable way to call your runaway back to you.
If your dog is chewing something it’s not supposed to — especially if the item could be dangerous to ingest — you need a way to get it to stop.
Training a dog that doesn’t listen is tough, but it’s usually more about what pet parents have to know versus what the dog isn’t doing or the problem reflects a possible underlying health issue.
How to train a dog that doesn’t listen
If your dog doesn’t listen, don’t worry — you’re facing a common problem. There are many reasons for this, but usually, a dog prefers another activity, like eating grass or sniffing..
Through positive reinforcement with treats, your job is to offer your dog a “better payday” than whatever it might be doing that you don’t want it to do.
Is your dog running around the house with your socks in its mouth? It probably just wants to play, and the only way to dissuade your dog might be with a better payoff, also known as a premium treat like a small piece of chicken.
If you consistently say something like “drop it” when this exchange happens, your dog will learn to leave the item (best for safety reasons in most cases), even when you don’t offer a bribe.
Additionally, some breeds are more prone to paying attention than others.
Hounds, for example, will want to run after prey, so if they see a rabbit or a squirrel, they will do what they’re bred to do: chase.
When this kind of thing happens, your dog isn’t thinking on the same level as you — it’s all about instinct.
Reinforcing body language and posture can help your dog respond appropriately. Be encouraging, not angry.
Understand why your dog doesn’t listen
Breed-specific behavior is all connected to what we call the dog’s interference threshold.
For example, getting your dog to sit quietly when you’re alone is easier than at the dog park, where other dogs are around. That only makes sense — your pup is distracted.
The best way to teach dogs what you want is to use positive reinforcement training. Reward your dog consistently and in progressively more challenging situations. Start at home, work up to your backyard, then eventually to the dog park.
Just like people, angry or scared dogs act unpredictably. Suppose your dog lashes out on the leash or doesn’t listen in certain situations.
In that case, it’s time to engage a dog behavior specialist or expert dog trainer to tackle the problem more specifically.
In other words, figure out what your dog is doing when it’s not listening, then call for help.
The young ones: My puppy isn’t listening to me
on your own or with a trainer.
If your puppy doesn’t listen, you have some work to do. That’s because a puppy’s first instinct isn’t to learn voice commands but to interact with the world by nipping, exploring, smelling, and playing.
The easiest way to begin is to associate your puppy’s name with a tasty, tempting treat, as most dogs are incredibly food-motivated.
After that, you can teach your little one to sit, stay, and come to you for a treat. Make sure you say its name kindly and provide affection, too.
Generally, “Fido, come!” should be enough to get your puppy to listen and come to you when it isn’t preoccupied with something else.
But it’s another story about chewing on your shoes or running away. Getting your dog to listen with recall training is crucial at a young age.
A standard puppy training class with a private, positive-reinforcement-minded trainer or at your local pet store is the way to go here. Working with a trainer is crucial.
Some new dog owners struggle when they discover their dog doesn’t listen to them but listens to others.
Don’t worry, that’s natural. Dogs, like people, go through phases, and if your dog is in a toddler or teenager phase, getting them to listen and pay attention is challenging.
A puppy or beginner class that allows you to work with professional dog trainers will teach you what you need to know to get your dog to listen.
Come armed with treats, patience, and a willingness to bond with your dog during training.
What to do if your older dog doesn’t listen
Particularly in older dogs, you’ll want to ensure your dog isn’t experiencing any pain or confusion. Just like in people, health issues can increase with age.
If your older dog isn’t listening and isn’t eating as much, limps, or acts confused, it’s best to head straight to the veterinarian: There may be a health issue.
In this case, your dog may have trouble focusing because of a medical problem.
On the other hand, the dog might be exhausted and want to be left alone. After all, older dogs can sleep up to 20 hours per day.
Signs of deafness in dogs
As in humans, deafness and partial hearing loss can occur at any age in a dog. However, senior dogs are more prone to hearing loss (and blindness).
If a dog starts to disobey, doesn’t come when called, or seems confused and barks too often, this could be a sign of hearing loss in dogs.
If your dog is hard to wake up, it could be another sign that its hearing is gone. Speak to your veterinarian about a hearing test, as health is a convenient reason you can’t get your dog to listen.
Training exercises
Focus exercises
Watch me: Hold a treat at your forehead and say “watch me.” Reward them when they make eye contact.
Recall games
Hide and seek: Hide and call your dog. Reward them when they find you to encourage them to come when called.
Leash training
Stop and go: Stop walking when your dog pulls. Resume only when they return to your side, teaching them that pulling stops the fun.
Impulse control
Wait and release: Place a treat in front of your dog and ask them to “wait.” Reward them for staying calm before they can have the treat.
Short training sessions
Keep training to about five minutes multiple times a day to maintain interest. Interactive toys
Try interactive toys
Use puzzle feeders that dispense treats to engage your dog mentally and promote problem-solving.
Positive reinforcement
Use clicker training to mark desired behaviors and strengthen clear communication. Variability in commands
Practice various commands in different environments to reinforce training amidst distractions.
Socialization practice
Arrange controlled playdates to practice commands like “come” amid distractions. Consistency and routine
Establish a daily routine for feeding and walks to provide structure, which aids in training compliance.
Tackle challenges
Leash pulling
Use the right equipment: Consider using a front-clip harness or a head halter, as these can give you more control over your dog and discourage pulling.
Teach loose leash walking: Start by stopping every time your dog pulls. Wait until they return to your side before continuing. Reward them when they are walking calmly beside you.
Practice direction changes: Change your direction suddenly while on a walk. This encourages your dog to pay attention to you and reinforces the idea that walking nicely gets them to the destination faster.
Reward good behavior: Use treats and praise when your dog walks at your side without pulling. Positive reinforcement helps them associate loose leash walking with good things.
Barking
Identify triggers: Observe when your dog barks and try to identify what triggers it. Common causes include strangers, other animals, or boredom.
Teach a quiet command: Use a consistent command like “quiet.” When your dog starts barking, wait for a pause, then say the command and reward them when they stop barking.
Provide mental and physical stimulation: Ensure your dog is getting enough exercise and mental engagement through play, walks, and puzzle toys. A tired dog is less likely to bark out of boredom.
Desensitization: Gradually expose your dog to the stimuli that cause barking at a distance where they feel comfortable, rewarding calm behavior as they become desensitized.
Separation anxiety
Create a safe space: Designate a comfortable and secure area for your dog with their favorite toys and a bed. This helps them feel safe when you leave.
Practice short departures: Start by leaving your dog alone for short periods and gradually increase the length of time. This helps them learn that you will always return.
Use positive reinforcement: When you leave and return, ignore your dog for a few minutes to prevent reinforcing anxious behavior. Instead, reward them when they are calm.
Consider interactive toys: Provide toys that dispense treats or engage them mentally when you leave. This can help keep them occupied and distracted.
Bottom line: How to get your dog to listen
Getting your dog to listen requires patience, regular training, and a consistent routine.
By using the correct body language, projecting calm and encouraging energy, and leading with kindness (and a little food bribery), you can get your dog to listen when you call.
Remember: If you put your dog in a crate or otherwise punish it whenever you call it away from doing something you don’t want it to do, your dog has no incentive to listen.
Avoid training your dog if you’re in a bad mood or don’t have the patience.
Instead, make training a positive experience. Praise your dog and use food rewards so you have a greater chance of getting your dog to listen every time.