10/26/2024
If you've ever worked with a professional dog trainer, you've probably heard us say that you should never repeat a cue (or "command"), that your dog should do as you ask the first time, every time. I find that many dog lovers misunderstand what that means, so allow me to clear it up.
What I mean by "Don't repeat cues," is that if you set your dog up for success, there should be no need for repetition. I mean don't just stand there and say words, do something. And, of course, I mean that if you say "sit sit sit," then "sit sit sit" will be your sit cue. 🤷
What I DON'T mean is that you should expect your dog to comply the first time, every single time, urgently, forever. I certainly don't mean that you should "correct" your dog for making mistakes. There are a myriad of reasons that your dog might respond to a cue more slowly, or not at all. It's your responsibility to figure out what's stopping them, and fix it.
Is your dog physically capable of doing what you ask? Are they feeling well? Is your female in heat, and therefore a bit hormonal? "Not listening" is a surprisingly significant indicator of physical discomfort. A vet check may be in order.
Is your dog overstimulated, anxious, afraid, excited, confused? Before giving a cue, be sure that your dog isn't having unmanageable feelings which may prevent them from responding appropriately. Behavior is driven by emotion!
Can your dog hear you? For example, maybe they're too far away to hear you call them, or the wind is blowing in their ears, or they were vocalizing when you gave the cue. Maybe you need an alternate recall signal, like a whistle, to cut through the ambient noise. You might be shocked at how many "stubborn" dogs turn out to be partially or fully deaf! There's nothing to lose with a hearing test.
And most commonly...
Do YOU understand what you're asking? Have you ever worked on this behavior in this environment? Are you paying your dog well enough to work for you immediately, always? Is your timing perfect? Can you break the behavior down into smaller steps? Are you speaking clearly? Should you use a hand signal in addition to your voice cue? Note that these are all about changing what YOU are doing! 😉 Go back to square one, and give your dog time to truly understand the cue before adding challenges.
Don't accidentally teach the wrong cue, but don't "discipline" your dog for "disobeying" either. Investigate your situation, resolve as many roadblocks as you can, and then ASK AGAIN! I said it! 😁
