Dogs: What to Do When Your Dog Won't Listen

It's a fairly common and frustrating problem for dog owners. Your dog won't listen to you. It almost as if your dog doesn't hear what you say even when you raise your voice .When a dog won't listen, it can be dangerous for the dog's health and well being. If your dog refuses to respond to you when he's threatened by an oncoming car or other danger, it can mean big problems for you and your dog.

One of the most common reasons dogs won't listen to your commands is because you haven't established yourself as the alpha leader. Dogs are regimented in their thinking and prefer the safety and security of belonging to a pack even if it means they're not in charge. It's important that you establish yourself as the clear leader of the pack. Until this happens, you can't expect your dog to listen to your commands. Many dog owners hesitate to give strong orders to their dog for fear of hurting their feelings. Dogs actually feel more comfortable and secure when they have a capable leader who doesn't hesitate to give decisive commands. Contrary to what you may believe, this won't make your dog feel unloved.

Here are some things you can do when your dog won't listen:

Change your tone of voice when you give commands.

When you deliver a command, it should be done with a firm, decisive tone of voice .Dogs are very perceptive at interpreting voice inflections. If a command is delivered weakly, your dog may perceive you're not serious about what you're saying and may not consider it worth his time to respond. Always make your commands short and decisive if you want your dog to respond. Never give a command in a voice that suggests a question. This is a very common problem among dog owners. When they give a command their voice rises at the end which almost makes the command seem like a question rather than a statement. Practice giving your commands in a short, firm but loving fashion.

Use consistency to help you dog learn to listen.

Consistency is a very important component of obedience training. Your commands should be delivered in a consistent manner so your dog learns to recognize them. It's important that you establish ground rules for your dog and enforce them on a daily basis. It's not effective to scold your dog for getting into the trash can one day and then turn a blind eye to it the next. Mixed messages will confuse your dog and cause him to tune out your commands. Lack of consistency is a frequent reason why dogs won't listen.

Give positive reinforcement to help your dog learn to listen.

Dogs love being praised. When your dog performs the action you're commanding, give him positive reinforcement in the form or a treat or praise. When you ask him to come and he responds, his obedience should be rewarded until it becomes second nature. If your dog tends to disregard you when you call his name, try placing him on a leash. Call his name and gently tug on the leash. When your dog looks up at your when you say his name, praise him. Once he does this consistently, try it with him off the leash. Keep working with him until he responds on a consistent basis to his name is spoken.

If all else fails, try obedience classes.

Formal dog obedience classes taught by a professional are one of the most effective ways to work with a dog who won't listen. You can sign up for a group class or get one on one instruction from a private trainer. The investment in money and time can be well worth it when you consider the pay off of twelve or more years of dog obedience and companionship.

If your dog won't listen to you, give some of these dog training ideas a try. With a little effort you can turn your stubborn dog into the ideal family pet.