My Dog Won't Listen
Trainer Allie Kirby of Sky’s the Limit Animal Training and Behavior goes over some common reasons your dog won’t listen. She then dives deeper into tricks you can use to figure out what do to next!
The What’s and Why’s of Listening
By: Nikki Phillips
Trainer Allie Kirby of Sky’s the Limit Animal Training and Behavior provides some common reasons your dog may not listen to your commands. She offers some tricks you can use to figure out what is going on and what do to next to get favorable results.
What and/or Why Problems?
A common frustration among dog owners is a pet who seems like they will not listen, it is almost as though they are ignoring their owner. The dog may have great manners at home, but when they are out and about, they forget you exist and any skills learned in puppy class are carried away in the wind. Kirby begins by reminding us dogs are their own being, even though we can train them, they are not robots. Dogs make mistakes and have their own internal motivations for doing, or not doing, something. There are two main reasons a dog may not pay attention, which are called “What and/or Why Problems.”
This means every time you ask your dog to do something you can play their hypothetical response in your head as either, “What are you asking me?” or “Why should I?” To ensure you land in the correct spot, you can try the Freebie Test. If you offer your dog a free treat and they take it, you likely have a what problem. You can adjust the interaction by slowing down the process and trying again. If they ignore or refuse the treat, you probably are working with a why problem. You should assess how your dog is feeling and minimize the level of distractions and give them a break.
What Problem
To decipher if you are dealing with a What Problem, assess if your dog understands the task, you are asking them to do. Dogs do not know cues in the same way we do. Kirby uses the command sit as an example to demonstrate this problem. People know sit as a concept in that refers to a physical position which means the same action in any context. We can sit in chairs, on the floor, or on a bed. Even if someone asked us to sit in an unusual place, like on a table, we still understand the concept of sitting
and could sit on a table.
Dogs on the other hand do not understand the sit anywhere concept. They understand the command sit when they are in their typical sitting environment, but when the location is changed, they may not connect the command to the action. To help, make it really easy for them by practicing a known skill in a new place. As the dog shows success, responding to the command quickly and consistently, increases the level of difficulty. As always, pack plenty of treats for this process.
Why Problem
Why Problems are a little different and usually result in the dog exhibiting some action we really do not like. Dogs, by nature, just do what works without a grand plan or moral compass, which can be frustrating for the owner. The good news is this natural K-9 mentality actually makes training a little
easier.
| Pro Tip: If you want your dog to listen, make listening work for them by always having a compelling why for your dog. |
This is compelling why reward should be delivered by you consistently and immediately for a job well done. This could mean giving your dog a favorite treat as soon as they do what you ask. If you have a dog who is not motivated by treats, find a reward that speaks to them- extra pats, a favorite toy, or something that will encourage repeat positive behavior. Kirkby is clear that this is not bribery, instead, these actions give your dog a positive connection to the why.
Consistency is key
If you are in a highly distracting environment, make sure you are also giving your dog time to explore and just be a dog, especially if they are struggling to listen. Let them safely check out the new space if they want to before you just into the what’s and why’s.
If your dog suddenly stops listening, take a moment to check in on them. Are they scared or upset? If the answer seems to be yes, remove them from the situation and comfort them until they feel safe again. Protecting them when they are fearful is always more important than a training goal.
This information is intended solely as a general educational aid and is not a substitute for medical or other professional advice.
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