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.
The reasons for this are numerous, ranging from just an age related phase, not adequate training, fear, or just simple distraction issues. The first step a frustrated owner should take is to try to assess WHY their dog is not taking a command, as the solution differs for each reason.
Lack of Training: He Doesn't Understand the Command
Disobedience in dogs is often linked to impatience in the owner, such as making several commands without waiting for your pup to respond. This can easily overwhelm and confuse your dog. Also, he may not have received adequate training to respond to your requests.
Instead, opt for reward-based training tactics that focus on giving the dog things he desires, like treats, petting and play, when he responds to a command in the desired manner. And rather than punishing him for unwanted behavior, redirect him to a more acceptable behavior and offer him a reward for that.
Whether it's hitting, tapping, or bopping a dog on the nose as means of discipline, this aversive technique still falls short of the success found with using reward-based or positive training. Contemporary experts urge against all uses of physical discipline.
A bad dog can be a serious threat to humans, especially children, and the vets caution that when a dog goes bad, professional help is essential. Kicking the animal won't help, and could make things worse.
Getting your dog to reliably come when called is known as recall, and it's important for all dog owners. 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.
Offering treats as positive reinforcements. Giving the reward or praise immediately following the behavior. The longer you wait, the less likely it is that your dog will recognize what he's being praised for. Keep your commands to a single word rather than making it complicated.
Methods such as alpha rolls and physical corrections (via the leash and a choke chain or by smacking the dog on the nose or by shaking their scruffs) were often recommended as a way for humans to establish dominance over their dogs.
While playing fetch, as they're running back with their toy, say “come” and reward with praise and another toss of their toy. Any time your dog is walking or running towards you, say “come” and reward when they get to you! You can use real-life rewards like play, praise, cuddles, or toys mixed in with training treats.
You can teach your dog to respect and listen to you by showing them you are the leader. Simple techniques such as not rewarding demanding behavior, walking through the door first, and creating structure and rules, will all help your dog to be respectful.
"Dogs forget an event within two minutes," reported National Geographic, citing a 2014 study performed on various animals from rats to bees. Other animals have long-term memories, such as dolphins, but dogs don't seem to have a long-term memory that lasts much beyond those two minutes.
Pets are considered personal property in most states, so if you're responsible for a hit and run involving a pet, any injuries or the loss of the pet could be regarded as property damage. In addition, you could be charged with animal cruelty if you leave the scene after hitting a pet.
Like humans, dogs go through a rebellious “teenager” phase (around 5 months to 18 months).
Let's face it: Bad behavior gets attention, even though it's not typically positive attention. But sometimes ignoring bad behavior is the best way to get it to stop. Believe it or not, giving your dog the cold shoulder when he does something he shouldn't, can be the first step to solving a behavior problem.
If an owner rewards the behavior, purposely or accidentally, the undesirable behavior will continue to linger. Even if the owner ignores her dogs 10 times, but screams “no” once, the behavior won't go away. To truly extinguish a behavior, it must be ignored each and every time.
If they are not in any kind of danger from the behavior or behaviors (for instance, eating something bad from the garbage), ignore the behavior and reward when the behavior stops. The key to helping prevent negative, attention-seeking behaviors from your dog is by giving him plenty of love, attention and playtime.
Consider why your dog is misbehaving.
The dog may not understand the cue given; they may not have had enough practice to do it reliably; they may be too distracted, stressed, or afraid. To figure out what the issue is, consider this: The dog is not giving you a hard time, but rather, they're having a hard time.
The experiment concluded that the dogs looked guilty not because of what they did (after all, they did nothing wrong) but rather as a reaction to what the owners did. Submissive dogs lower their heads, hunch down, and avert their eyes when trying to diffuse a situation or appease their owners.