How to get your dog to (really) listen

Wouldn’t it be great if your dog obeyed your every command?

Studies show the average dog is quite intelligent and understands a vocabulary comparable to a two-year-old human. So if your dog understands what you want him to do, why doesn’t he do it? The answer may be lack of proper motivation.

Dogs, like humans, are motivated to take action for two basic reasons: to earn a reward, or to avoid a punishment. Dog experts have determined that dogs respond best to positive reinforcement training. What that means for you and me is that we now know smacking your dog with a rolled up newspaper or “rubbing his nose in it” when he has an accident in the house just aren’t working- for you or the dog.

Punishing your dog for not obeying is a lot like dropping a two-year-old child off in a foreign country with a family that speaks a different language, yet expecting the child to obey all the family’s rules. The child will catch on to what those rules are eventually, but in the meantime, punishing him for these unknown offenses is just absurd. Rewarding the child with praise, affection, playtime, and snacks would be far more effective in speeding up his learning than spanking him or locking him outside alone when he misbehaves.

Positive reinforcement training requires the use of things your dog likes, to motivate him to perform certain actions. You tell him to “sit”, and when he does you reward him with verbal praise, belly rubs, and a yummy treat.

The next time he hears you say, “Sit” he remembers what happened the last time, and is far more likely to park his rear on the floor in anticipation of all the good things he might get in return. Food and time with you are two of the most important things in your dog’s life, and he’ll usually do quite a bit of work to earn either one. In fact, working dog breeds will usually be happier and more well behaved if given tasks to do- it’s in their nature to serve and stay busy!

Factors that Affect Training

Video: How to Get Your Dog to STOP IGNORING YOU: 2 Unexpected Dog Training Tips

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About The Author:

Lori R Taylor lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and is the founder of TruDog. After losing her beloved Great Dane, Truman, to cancer, Lori was devastated and determined to help dogs live longer. She created the TruDog Nutrition System (TDNS), an amazing suite of veterinarian approved, all natural products, designed to help your dog live longer. This article is dedicated Truman and all the dogs who heal our hearts and make us whole. May your legacy be the light that saves the world.

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