We talked previously about getting your dog on the right track when you’re overwhelmed, one tactic to implement for immediate behavior improvements, and the difficulties of living with a smart and energetic dog. This week I want to talk about something we all have to deal with, no matter our skill level: the training session that just isn’t going very well.
When the Dog Training Isn’t Working…
I’m a firm believer that dogs in a well-structured environment should show consistent progress. But even so, sometimes you’ll run into a session where it seems like everything is going wrong. The dog is ignoring even simple commands, the usual attentiveness is nowhere to be seen, and you can feel your frustration rising by the second.
You’re not alone. Your dog is not the only dog that does this. And we can get things turned around for you.
Questions to Ask When Your Dog Isn’t Listening
– Does your dog need to potty? A simple potty break fixes a surprising number of poor training sessions.
– Is your dog feeling okay? If a female dog is frequently pausing to dribble out pee, there may be a urinary tract infection. If your dog has diarrhea, there may be an upset stomach or a parasite. If the dog suddenly refuses to sit, there may be hip pain. A dog that’s in good health learns more quickly.
– Is your dog distracted by an unusual sound? Are they chopping down trees next door? Is someone running the blender in the kitchen? Is a neighbor working on their car engine? Is there an odd beep from an appliance that you hadn’t noticed? This is particularly a concern with anxious dogs. Often changing location can fix this issue if you can’t shut off or mask the distracting sound.
– Is there a coyote, cat, or critter that you didn’t notice? Other animals are a major distraction for many dogs. Sometimes even a whiff of wildlife is enough to distract a dog, particularly if they are in the early stages of their training and have not yet learned to pay attention around other animals.
– Does your dog need a nap? Dog have limits to their self-control and sometimes the tank is just about empty. This is most common if the dog has had extra excitement in the day (visitors, a new dog in the house, a noisy party next door, or numerous training sessions). Sometimes it’s best to give them a nap and try again later (especially with younger dogs and puppies).
– Is the dog over-aroused? If there’s a lot of pent up energy it can be helpful to take the dog on a brisk, structured walk. Get out some of the energy and then get back to teaching. If you stayed late at work and your dog has been in the crate for longer than usual, you might need to start off with some controlled play (tug, fetch, recall games, quick-fire commands). This can burn off energy while building engagement and focus.
– Are we pushing the dog beyond its abilities? We need to be constantly increasing the difficulty of the training tasks. But we also need to do this gradually. A dog that has only practiced in the kitchen will not do well around other dogs or new people. In a more difficult and distracting environment, we need to lower the bar for what we consider success. (A dog that can do a 20-minute stay in the kitchen may need to go back to mere seconds in a new chaotic environment.) Find a point of success and build upon that. It will be much less frustrating for you and the dog. One key to good training is knowing just how much you can reasonably expect out of the dog. Most pet owners either ask too little (simply having the dog sit briefly for a treat over and over) or too much (expecting the dog to EXCEED his previous training in a new environment or to simply intuit what the person wants. Even service dogs that are near magical at reading their person have thousands of hours of training to develop this ability).
– Is there anything different about the way we’re acting? Dogs can be mirrors of our emotions. Are we distracted, stressed out, and tense? Your dog may be sensing this and responding accordingly. Pretty soon we’re both feeding off each other’s frustrations. Exhale, relax, and try to enjoy yourself.
Keep in mind that the learning process is never a straight march to victory. Dogs have their better moments and their lesser moments, just like we do. Yet with a good training approach, we can minimize the downs and maximize the good moments.
Stay calm. Stay consistent. And you’ll soon be an expert at troubleshooting these moments in which the dog seems to have forgotten everything you’ve taught them.
If you’re not just having “down sessions” but rather are suffering from constant frustrations with your dog, consider reaching out for help. Time with your dog should be among the day’s highlights, and we’d love to help you get there if you need some dog training or board and train help in the Fresno/Clovis area
Nate Hess is a dog behavior specialist and the owner of Dogspring Training, which provides comprehensive dog training and behavior services in Fresno and Clovis, California. He is a graduate of Stanford University, a member of the International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants (IAABC) and Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs. He lives in Clovis, CA, with his wife, Elaine, and some lovely dogs.