6 Ways to Get Your Dog to Listen to You!

Sometimes, getting your dog to listen to you can be easier said than done. When your dog won’t listen to your commands, it can be extremely frustrating (I’ve been there before).

So, what can you do if your dog just isn’t listening to you? Here are six issues you may be encountering and how to fix them. I hope this helps!

1. Remove excess energy.

Excited energy can be distracting for not only toddlers, but also for dogs! To help counter this, make sure to take your pup on a walk daily to help get rid of some of that extra energy.

2. Be consistent.

Make sure that both you and your family members are practicing the same commands and behaviors with your dog. Sit down with your family and go over the rules that you want to enforce with your dog so that you’re all on the same page.

3. Master your energy.

Dogs listen to the alpha of the pack: you. So, in order to be a leader, you need to act like one and use calm, assertive energy to get your pup to listen to you. Have a friend observe your behavior and give you feedback, or film yourself and see what you may need to work on!

4. Go back to the basics.

When you’re teaching your dog commands, remember that practice makes perfect. If your dog isn’t listening to a certain command, it may just mean that they don’t have enough practice yet! Keep practicing and be patient!

5. Stop relying on verbal commands.

Obviously, dogs don’t speak to each other — they use energy and body language to communicate! This may be why dogs sometimes have trouble listening to you when you keep giving them a verbal command. Even if your dog knows a verbal command, they may associate that verbal command with a particular non-verbal cue that you give at the same time.

When you give your dog a particular command, are you usually sitting down? Standing? Looking away? Realizing these slight non-verbal cues may help you better understand how your dog understands commands and how you can get them to actually listen!

6. Notice your dog’s emotional state.

Besides pent-up and excited energy, your dog may also be experiencing another range of emotions that could be distracting them from listening to you. Take in your dog’s surroundings and pay attention to their energy to see if they may just be distracted. Remember: you have to deal with these underlying issues to get your dog to really listen to you!