He Should Just Listen To Me!
I often hear frustrated clients who don’t understand why the dog doesn’t just do what is asked of them. The owner feels that the dog “owes” them because they provide food, shelter, and love. The least the dog can do is sit, wait, and come when called, right?
But is that true? Don’t you also need a relationship to get attention and focus? Would a random stranger pay attention when you told them to do something? They may, but the response may not be in the way you wanted. Would they pay attention if you bought them one cup of coffee, or would it need to be more? What does a relationship of mutual, yes mutual, attention entail?
Time to really know each other: This is the reason that older dogs, who have been in the same household for years, are “easy.” They have developed a rhythm with their owner, and they easily read each other to the point where day-to-day routines are seamless. The dog has years of reading and understanding cues, such as the difference between workday clothes and the fun clothes that are worn to the park.
Trust: This is critical in any relationship. It doesn’t leverage control, but mutual respect and understanding. The dog is not worried or afraid of the owner’s actions and is able to easily to focus and respond to requests. This dog isn’t afraid of getting something wrong as they are allowed to be wrong and figure out the right response. If this dog doesn’t wait, the owner just resets and tries again, probably with fewer distractions or in a more familiar environment. And if the dog really can’t complete a simple request, the owner believes that it’s just one of those days for the dog.
Engagement: The more you do with your dog, the deeper the relationship and the higher the level of trust. This is not walking with your dog, it’s participating in training or a sport activity (no, you don’t have to compete) where you both learn new skills, together. There’s more classes and activities available than ever before. Enrichment activities, that involve both the dog and owner, such hunting for treats or safely exploring an open field, are great for building a relationship.
So how do you get started?
Give a new dog time to settle into your routine
Take a Basic and Advanced skills class; you’ll both learn a lot, you’ll strengthen your bond, and you’ll see just how smart your dog is
Leverage your dog’s breed or breed mix to find an activity you’ll both enjoy. Think about agility classes, nosework training, or Off Leash Skills Classes so you can hike together
Need help? A Certified Professional Dog Trainer can offer the guidance you need. Find one near you at https://www.ccpdt.org/.