How To Stop Repeating Yourself When Training Your Dog

by | Dec 23, 2020 | Articles | 0 comments

Do you have to repeat yourself several times before your dog listens? It doesn’t have to be that way. You can teach your dog to respond to the first cue while making training more fun for the both of you.

Why You Should Avoid Repeating A Cue When Training Your Dog

Dogs pick up our patterns of behaviour all the time. When you habitually repeat cues, they tend to anticipate the repetition and take “sit… sit… SIT!” to be the complete cue. 

When you avoid repeating the cue, your dog learns that “sit” is a complete sentence. 

Typically when dog owners repeat a cue, their voice gradually gets louder and more insistent. When your dog senses that you are becoming frustrated during training, it becomes more stressful for them. 

If training typically becomes a stressful event, your dog may start to avoid you, rather than actively listening and happily anticipating a treat when you give them a cue. Sometimes when dogs seem to ignore us, they’re actually communicating that they’re feeling stressed.

How To Get Your Dog To Listen The First Time

 Using  high-value treats frequently will greatly increase your dog’s interest in training. Bring treats on walks as often as possible to help ensure your dog listens to you outside, even around distractions. 

Teach a solid “watch me” cue. “Watch me” or a similar cue is for encouraging your dog to make eye contact with you. It should be practiced often and heavily rewarded. You can use the “watch me” cue to ensure that you have your dog’s attention before you use another cue.

The way you teach a new cue makes a big difference in how consistently they’ll respond to it.You always want to introduce an action before teaching a cue. For example, if you’re teaching “sit” for the very first time, don’t say the word “sit” at first, because it won’t have any meaning for your dog.

Instead, guide them into a sitting position by holding a treat just above their nose. When they sit, reward and praise. After a few successful repetitions, you can start to say “sit” just once as your dog’s butt touches the ground. Over time, you’ll no longer need to lure your dog with a treat, as they will associate the word with the action. 

Using hand signals can also help your dog become a better listener. Studies suggest that dogs respond better to visual cues than verbal ones, so it wouldn’t hurt to use both. 

When It’s Okay To Repeat A Cue

Occasionally repeating a cue is not the end of the world. Sometimes your dog may not have heard you properly, or they may need a moment to process what you’ve said.

Give your dog at least ten full seconds to respond to a cue. If they’re not actively listening, you’ll need to get their attention before repeating it. 

Lastly, try not to give your dog a cue when they’re unlikely to respond. It’s important to set your dog up for success. Instead of asking your dog to “stay” across the yard when they’re first learning, have them “stay” for just a moment just a metre away. Gradually work up to your goals with plenty of “wins” along the way to keep your dog motivated. 

Your dog should successfully respond to cues about 9 out of 10 times. If your success rate is too low they may need more practice, better rewards, or more clear communication from you.

Need Help? Let’s Chat!

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