My puppy has been with me constantly for the past three months; I got him when he was two months old, and I carry him wherever I go. He used to listen to me, but now he has reached the stage where he will not listen to me at all when other people are around. When I call his first name, for instance, he does not answer. But he rushes running to everyone else who says his name! What is the issue?
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How many times do you repeat his name or command? @Nicholas. How consistent are you in rewarding him for good behaviour versus treating him for nothing? You may have unintentionally taught him that what you say doesn’t matter. Many people have a tendency to overdo commands: “Sit…sit…sit siiiiit SIT” All this accomplishes is weaken the command and teach dogs that the first command is not significant. A few people are even worse and will treat even if the correct behaviour is not demonstrated, thus degrading themselves. The similar thing might happen when you use a dog’s name too much.
Could this be achievable for you? If not, we’ll need additional information to help.
What is your general training regimen? How are you teaching him to come when called? What type of treats/rewards do you use?
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Hi Nicholas!
It’s quite common for puppies to go through phases where they become more interested in their surroundings and other people than in responding to their owner. This behavior could be due to several reasons:
- Distractions: Puppies may find their environment and the people in it very stimulating, and this can divert their attention away from their owner’s commands.
- Socialization: As puppies grow, they become more curious about their social environment and are eager to explore new interactions.
- Training Consistency: If training isn’t consistent or if your puppy is receiving mixed signals from different people, it can lead to confusion and a lack of response to commands.
- Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding your puppy with treats and praise when he does listen can make following your commands more appealing.
- Health Check: It’s also a good idea to rule out any potential health issues that might be affecting his ability to hear or respond.
To improve this situation, you can focus on training sessions using high-value treats in a quiet environment with minimal distractions.
As your puppy gets better at responding, you can gradually introduce more challenging environments.
Consistency from all family members and friends in using the same commands and rules is crucial. Training is a journey, and it’s normal for responsiveness to fluctuate.
With patience and consistent reinforcement, your puppy will learn to listen to you, even when there are other people around.
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My dog is going through the same thing; she will be two in three months and pays little attention to anything I say when I take her for walks or to the restroom. Nevertheless, she stays by their sides and obeys all of their instructions when my roommate or a friend takes her out while I’m in class, which I only attend for two to three hours every day. Although I’ve been brushing it off as the start of her rebellious adolescence, it’s still a touch offensive. Does anyone have any ideas?