Your dog has been with you for years, and even though he or she may seem like a perfect friend, you feel like something is missing. Well, that something may just be obedience training.
In this blog article, we are going to talk about why dogs stop listening to their owners and how training can help make your dog listen to you better. We will also go over some of the common excuses that people give for not wanting to train their dog and how training can help resolve those issues.
Dogs Are Pack Animals And Respond To Hierarchy
Dogs are pack animals by nature and respond best to a hierarchy. In the wild, dogs live in packs led by a strong alpha male. The alpha male is the leader of the pack and the other dogs defer to him. This hierarchical structure gives dogs a sense of order and security.
In a domestic setting, you can be the alpha dog if you establish yourself as the leader of the pack. Dogs will naturally follow the strongest, most confident leader. If you show your dog that you are in charge, he will be more likely to listen to you and obey your commands.
One way to establish yourself as the alpha is to be consistent with your rules and commands. Dogs thrive on predictability and routine. If you are consistent with your expectations, your dog will know what is expected of him and be more likely to comply. Another way to show your dog that you are the boss is to provide him with plenty of exercises. A tired dog is a good dog! A tired dog doesn’t have the energy to misbehave.
So, if you want your dog to listen to you, first establish yourself as the leader of the pack. Be consistent with your rules and expectations, and make sure your dog gets plenty of exercises.
You Need To Be The Leader Of The Dog Pack
You need to be the leader of the dog pack. The best way to do this is to be calm and assertive. Dogs are very intuitive and can sense when you’re feeling anxious or stressed. If you’re not comfortable being the alpha, your dog will pick up on that and will try to take the lead itself. This can result in behavioral problems such as excessive barking, digging, jumping up, and so on. It’s important to be firm but loving with your dog and to never shout or use physical force. Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement, so make sure you praise your dog when it behaves well.
It may take some time for your dog to adjust to your new role as alpha, but eventually, it will start following your lead. Just remember to be patient and consistent, and you’ll soon have a well-behaved dog that listens to you.
Be Consistent With Your Dog Commands
One of the most important things you can do when training your dog is to be consistent with your commands. If you say “sit” one time and “stay” the next, your dog is going to get confused. It’s important to use the same word for the same command every single time. This will help your dog understand what you want him to do.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should never give a command unless you are prepared to follow through with it. If you tell your dog to “come” and then don’t have anything for him to do when he gets to you, he’s going to be just as confused as if you had used two different words. It’s important that you only give commands that you are prepared to back up with action.
If you are consistent with your commands and only give them when you are prepared to follow through, your dog will quickly learn what you expect of him. Soon, he’ll be following your commands perfectly!
Make Sure You Are Rewarding Good Behavior Of Dog
It is essential that you reward your dog for good behavior in order to reinforce the desired actions. Dogs are highly intelligent creatures and learn very quickly, so it is important to take advantage of this by rewarding them when they do something you want them to do. This will help them understand what it is you want from them and make them more likely to repeat the behavior in the future.
One of the best ways to reward your dog is with treats. Dogs love food and will be highly motivated to perform the desired behavior if they know they will be getting a tasty treat as a result. However, it is important not to overdo it with the treats or your dog may become overweight. In addition to treats, another great way to reward your dog is with verbal praise and petting. Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement and will appreciate knowing that they have done something right.
Punish Bad Behavior In A Way That Your Dog Will Understand
There are a variety of ways that you can punish bad behavior in a way that your dog will understand. The most important thing is to be consistent with your punishments and rewards so that your dog knows what they are being rewarded or punished for.
One way to punish bad behavior is to use verbal cues such as “no” or “uh-oh.” It’s important that you use a firm voice when delivering these cues so that your dog knows that they have done something wrong. You can also use physical cues such as pushing them away from the table or taking away their toys.
Another way to punish bad behavior is to ignore your dog altogether. This means no eye contact, talking, or touching. This can be a very effective punishment because dogs thrive on attention from their owners. If they are not getting the attention they want, they are likely to stop the behavior that is causing them to be ignored.
Finally, you can also use positive punishment, which is when you deliver an unpleasant consequence after your dog has exhibited bad behavior. For example, if your dog jumps on the couch, you can spray them with water or make a loud noise to startle them. The key with this method is to make sure that the punishment is immediate so that your dog associates it with the bad behavior.
Dogs Learn Best Through Positive Reinforcement
Dogs learn best through positive reinforcement. This means rewarding your dog when they do something you want them to do. For example, if you are teaching your dog to sit, you would give them a treat when they sit down. Dogs also respond well to verbal praise and petting.
The key is to be consistent with your rewards. If you only give your dog a treat sometimes when they sit, they will soon learn that sitting only gets them a treat sometimes. But if you always give them a treat when they sit, they will quickly learn that sitting is a good thing because it always results in a tasty reward.
You should also avoid using punishment to train your dog. Punishing your dog after they have done something wrong can just make them scared of you and confused about what you want them to do. It’s much better to focus on the positive and reward your dog for good behavior.
Conclusion
After reading this blog post, you now know the answer to the question “Why does my dog only listen to me?”. Dogs are pack animals and respond to hierarchy. You need to be the leader of the dog pack. You can do this by being consistent with your commands and rewarding good behavior. If your dog is displaying bad behavior, punish them in a way that they will understand. Dogs learn best through positive reinforcement, so make sure you are rewarding your dog when they behave well.