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.
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.
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.)
If your dog is engaging in an undesirable behavior to get your attention, the best thing to do is ignore him.
Attention-seeking dog behaviour is common – and is a totally normal survival mechanism in puppies who rely totally on the care of their mother but as adult dogs, excessive jumping, pawing or barking is difficult to live with and can become annoying.
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.
How Well Can Puppies Hear? Puppies are born deaf, and this is the last of their senses to fully develop. They can't hear until they're about three weeks old. Once their hearing kicks in, they hear about four times better than most people, including hearing a wider range of frequencies.
Most cases however, are simply overly energetic dogs that may not be getting sufficient exercise and routine to their day, or who are being accidentally rewarded when they act excitedly (see Play and Exercise and Using Enrichment, Predictability, and Scheduling to Train Your Dog).
When Puppies Mature and Settle Down. Puppies typically develop the emotional maturity and temperament of an adult dog between twelve and eighteen months of age, although they may continue to occasionally exhibit puppy behavior like chewing and nipping until they're about two years old.
6 months to 18 months
All of a sudden, your pup seems to digress from a well-trained pup to a pup with no training at all! This is a time of sexual maturation and hormones are raging, especially if the pup isn't neutered yet. This results in a pup who is less inclined to listen to your commands.
The canine ability to comprehend human body language and intonation is amazing. Our dogs know more than just “Sit” or “Stay” or “Walk”. They can learn the meaning of many words and can grasp that meaning even better when we say those words in an appropriate tone.
Many people consider their dogs to be part of their family, and just like any other family member, communication is key. Talking to your dog not only helps to strengthen the bond between you and your pup but also has many benefits for their overall well-being.
The first things a puppy needs to learn are basic manners, his name, potty training, and not to bite your hands with those sharp teeth. A puppy needs to learn socialization skills, including people, places, and things.
An important sign that a puppy may be is that he shows an unwillingness to explore a new environment. Constant panting, yawning, excessive lip licking, and vocalization may be present. If you place a puppy on the floor and all he wants to do is hide under a chair or behind his owners' legs, a problem exists.
If you catch your puppy misbehaving, try a loud noise such as clapping your hands or a loud "uh-uh" or a sharp “off”. Remember, reprimands need to occur while the behavior is happening, preferably just as it begins, and never after.
Besides stealing and playing keep-away, common puppy behavior problems include lack of house-training, hyperactivity, nipping, chewing, eating feces and getting sick in the car. Lack of house-training usually stems from giving the puppy too much freedom too quickly.
The barking and lunging is a result of that fear/frustration; when we tell him no or otherwise stop that behavior from happening, we are not teaching him that he should not be fearful/frustrated but rather than he should not express his fear/frustration through that behavior.
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.