“No” should be said calmly and should mean, “That is not a behavior that I want.” “No” can also be a “no reward marker.” It can just mean that the dog will not get a reward for that behavior. I use “no” whenever I walk away from my dogs to ignore them if they have done something I don't want them to do again.
Essentially, your dog wants your approval. So, rather than yelling or constantly saying “No”, quicker progress can be made by teaching your dog a 'no' signal – one that tells him to stop whatever he is doing whenever he hears it. A suitable command can be “Leave”.
When we say “no” to a toddler or a dog, it usually means “stop what you're doing right now” but a dog doesn't know that. It knows you're not happy – your body language and tone of voice will convey that. But as far as we know, it doesn't realise why and it certainly doesn't know how to respond.
Start by making sure your dog can follow a command with no distractions. Then, work on the command with people in the environment talking, eating, engaging with each other. Then, work on the command out in the yard and start with minimal distractions and work up to more significant distractions.
Find an enclosed area where you know your dog won't be able to get away from you. Give the command to sit, then tell your puppy to "stay." Take a few steps away. If he doesn't get up immediately, offer a treat and praise. Slowly take more steps while giving the command to stay.
Most dogs after 5-10 sessions will grasp the concept. As they progress you'll notice they'll stop lunging and mouthing at your hand so from there you can keep your hand open and just say the word “No” but keep sharp because they can be sneaky when they see that hand is staying open.
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.
This is well-intended but incomplete advice – if you only ignore the behavior, your dog will probably never learn to stop barking, jumping, or pulling. Just ignoring unwanted dog behaviors misses an important piece of teaching your dog what TO do instead. Dogs learn by association.
The instant you feel your puppy's teeth touch you, give a high-pitched yelp. Then immediately walk away from him. Ignore him for 30 to 60 seconds. If your puppy follows you or continues to bite and nip at you, leave the room for 30 to 60 seconds.
Yep, it's fairly normal to regret getting a puppy or dog. You're not a bad person! If you've recently added a new dog or puppy to your family and you're wondering if you've made a mistake, just know that others go through the same feelings.
In general, if a dog is seeking your attention at the wrong time, it is because you are not giving them enough of it at the right time. Once you are sure your dog does not have every right to expect more attention from you, if they do something you do not want them to do, totally ignore them (if it is safe to do so).
Use a high-pitched, happy voice and reward them when they come to you. This will make your pup more likely to come the next time you call. Tip: If you have used “come” with an angry tone in the past, choose a different word and start over to give them a positive association with coming when called.
Puppies are capable of learning basic obedience commands from as early as eight weeks old, essentially the moment they're through your front door they can begin their training.
Once your dog reaches three months old, they can usually hold it for an hour for each month they've been alive. After six months, dogs can usually hold it for up to six hours. However, even adult dogs shouldn't be home alone for much longer than six to eight hours without a chance for a bathroom break.
Along with their name, the best training lesson you can teach them are the 5 basic commands. These include “come”, “lay down”, “sit”, “stay”, and “leave it.” These 5 tricks may not seem like much, but they provide your pup with a foundation that sets them toward a good path for adulthood.
Why doesn't my dog listen to me? There can be several reasons why your dog doesn't listen to you. Puppies and pubescent dogs are usually in a phase where it is difficult for them to concentrate. It can also be that your dog is old and gets a hearing impairment and therefore does not listen.
Your Dog Is Feeling Nervous, Fearful, or Anxious
If you notice your dog is anxious, nervous, or fearful he may not be in the frame of mind best to learn new things. It's best to wait until your dog is calm and in a good mood to introduce new things (like training).
Perhaps the biggest challenge will be getting every member of the household to follow the same rules and routines with a puppy. The only way dogs really learn rules is through consistency. It is easy for a puppy to never quite get the training down when different family members treat the puppy differently.