Canine Training Tips: Getting Dogs to Listen & Pay Attention

How to Make Dogs Listen & Get Their Attention

Dogs can be stubborn at times, but there are ways to effectively communicate with them and get their attention. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and techniques to help you improve your dog’s responsiveness and ensure they listen to your commands.

The Power of Positive Reinforcement

Using an upbeat and positive tone of voice when speaking to your dog can make a big difference. Dogs are naturally attracted to happy and excited energy, so try using phrases like “Good boy!” or “Look at me! I’m so cute!” to grab their attention.

Avoid Yelling and Negative Reinforcement

Raising your voice or yelling at your dog can create a negative association with your commands. Instead of getting results, you may find that your dog becomes more resistant. Focus on using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage desired behavior.

Understanding Behavior Problems

It’s important to understand that behavior problems in dogs are often a result of various factors. Dogs have their reasons for not responding to commands, and it’s crucial to acknowledge their feelings and work through any underlying issues.

Dog Hearing Loss

If your dog seems less responsive to commands or noises that once excited them, it could be a sign of hearing loss. Consult your vet for a proper diagnosis and to rule out any other causes. 

If your dog begins to lose his hearing, you might notice that he seems less responsive to your commands and fails to respond to noises that once excited him. Or he may seem confused by his surroundings or by your requests. He might become unresponsive to sounds that used to excite him, like the squeak of his toy or the rattle of your car keys, and fail to turn to you when you call his name. 

Proper Training – Not Fully Trained

Sometimes, dogs don’t listen simply because they haven’t been properly trained. Building a solid foundation of obedience training is essential for your dog to understand and respond to your commands. 

Some people don’t understand how well-trained their dog is. If the dog has an okay recall in the yard, then expecting him to go to the park is just ridiculous

Socialization Matters – Bad Socialization

A lack of socialization with other dogs or people can lead to fear or aggression in dogs. Early socialization, exposure to different environments, and positive experiences play a crucial role in shaping your dog’s behavior.

When the dog does not socialize with other dogs or people, showing fear or aggression, it may be because it was isolated from its mother and litter-mates in its first weeks of life, if it has lived some trauma, because of its genetics, or if since it was a child it has been raised in impoverished environments or without stimuli.

Listening to Your Dog

Dogs communicate through various sounds and behaviors. Paying close attention to their body language, sounds, and preferences can help you understand their needs and strengthen your bond.

How to listen to your dog

Kerry Claire from “Kerry Claire and Dogs” recommends the following:

• Dogs can communicate using different types of sounds, including barks, growls, whines, yelps, grunts, and whimpers. 
• Pay attention to your dog more carefully than you did before. You may be surprised at how much you learn.
• When taking your dog for a walk, pay attention to where she sniffs. You might be surprised at what you find! We often discount our dogs’ sniffing behaviors because we don’t notice them ourselves.
• If your dog has any preferences for certain types of locations, observe where they prefer to hang out.
• Pay close attention when teaching your dog. If you’re doing it right, she should be listening and interested in learning.

Dogs Don’t Listen And Do Not Respond To Our Call

If the dog doesn’t come when called, it could be because he hasn’t learned to respond to your command. He might associate your calls with something bad, like the time he got lost in the woods and was scared. If you want your pet to listen, don’t just ask him to do things he isn’t capable of doing. Instead, teach him that you’re there for him when he needs help.

Some dogs aren’t listening simply because their owners have a misunderstanding of how well they trained their dog. … The solution is to simply not ask the dog to do things he is not capable of doing and go back and do more training! Fear. Every dog is going to have a fear of something or someone in their life.

Walks and Sniffing

During walks, observe where your dog sniffs and what catches their interest. It’s an opportunity to learn more about their preferences and the world from their perspective.

Teaching and Learning

When teaching your dog, focus on creating a positive and engaging learning experience. Your dog should be attentive and interested in the training process.

Home Training and Mental Stimulation

While obedience schools can be helpful, there’s great value in training your dog at home and building a strong bond. Mental stimulation activities and problem-solving tasks can enhance your dog’s attention and overall behavior.