The reasons your dog may not be listening might be medical in nature, but most often, if your dog will not come to you or ignores you completely, it is because of a training or a behavioral issue. Once you feel you have ruled out potential illness, training and conditioning your dog will improve his recall ability.
Using really yummy, aromatic treats will ensure that your dog doesn't ignore you. You don't need to become dependent on treats, but it helps to reward your dog regularly to keep them motivated. The best treats for training are cheap, healthy, and easy to find. Try some scrambled eggs.
You Aren't Fun Enough. If your dog isn't listening, they may have learned that there is a greater reward in ignoring you— more squirrels to chase, more time to smell the grass, you name it. The only way to get your dog's attention is to become more interesting than whatever they are currently doing.)
With both dogs on leash, take a walk parallel to each other, far enough apart that the dogs can't touch. As your dog gets more comfortable, you can gradually move them closer to each other. If your dog is nervous around men, start with a man sitting quietly at a considerable distance from the dog.
The command "watch me" or "look" is used to get your dog to focus on you. It is useful for times when you need your pet to pay close attention, such as during obedience training.
The trick to distraction training is to start with a small distraction and slowly build up to larger and more enticing ones. For example, if you have a ball-obsessed dog, don't start by tossing the ball past your dog's nose while teaching your dog to stay.
Pets who act lethargic or show signs of exercise intolerance may have a serious underlying condition. In particular, this may be caused by a serious condition like heart disease. If your dog is acting lethargic or is simply less active than usual, it's important to pay attention to these cues.
A walk can make a dog very happy. They love to check out the sights and smells and will really look forward to spending time with you. A dog that doesn't receive sufficient exercise can easily become bored or destructive.
PAWING AND NUDGING AT YOU
Take notice of their body language -- if their ears, tail, and spine look relaxed, they're probably just looking for more attention. If their tails are tucked , ears are back, or seem stiff, they may be experiencing anxiety.
“Too much affection can also mean that you can give your dog positive cues at the wrong time to back up bad behaviors, which can lead to behavioral problems like separation anxiety, vocalizing for attention, and/or damaging items in the home to get attention,” Dr. Nelson explains.
It could be that you're moving too slow, or that they're just so excited and want to run. More often than not, dog owners get nervous when this happens, and they naturally react to what seems to be the right way of dealing with it: letting their dog pull the leash and lead the way.
Your dog may be acting stubborn on walks because it is bored. Take a different route on your walk, or go to another park or neighborhood altogether for your walk. Even walking the same neighborhood but in a different pattern may be enough to make the trip exciting again for your pup.
Like us, our dogs get bored when they're not given things to do throughout the day. But unlike us they're pretty limited in what they can do to entertain themselves. They don't have a job, they can't go to the park on their own, and they don't get to go out and walk by themselves.
Some dogs may just not like walks and are couch potatoes. If so, going outside is a necessity to do their needs, but afterward, they want to come right back home. However, if you plan the walk well, even such a dog may be able to enjoy it. Make sure to choose the right activity for your dog's personality.
Some reasons dogs don't come when called include distraction, confusion, or fear. Gradual training and positivity are ways to help build a reliable recall so your dog will come when called.
Your Dog Doesn't Know How to Act in Public
If you've never taught them how to act when you're in different locations, they won't know what to do. Distractions and unfamiliar surroundings can make it tough for your dog to focus. Anything they learn while in the comfort of home can fly out the window once in public.