• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Totally Dog Training

Gentle Dog Training And Care With Pippa Mattinson

  • TRAINING TIPS & GUIDES
  • HELP
  • EQUIPT
  • REVIEWS
You are here: Home / Help / Why won’t my dog do that?

Why won’t my dog do that?

June 18, 2013 By Pippa Mattinson

why won't my dogDo you sometimes feel that other people’s dogs are much cleverer and better behaved than yours?

Are you frustrated because you can’t get your dog to do things that other people’s dogs do?

If so, you are not alone.

And, you are not to blame.

Being a dog

It is not always easy to be a modern dog.

Dogs do not naturally know how to behave in our human world.Like children,  they need to learn to suppress some of their instinctive behaviours, like urinating on carpets,  snatching food, playing too roughly, and ripping up the contents of your laundry basket.

And learn replacement behaviours like ‘weeing outdoors’, taking food gently, pulling their punches when playing around people, and chewing on their own toys rather than your things.

This kind of impulse control takes time and it does not happen without human guidance.

Your dog’s limitations

Unlike children, dogs don’t go to school.  They don’t easily learn to understand a spoken language, and will never have any concept of past or future.  Nor will they ever have any sense of morality, of what is right and wrong.

This means that dogs cannot learn self discipline nor apply one set of behavioural rules to different kinds of situation.

Everything that your dog learns to do,  has to be taught to him by you.

And it has to be taught more than once.

If your dog won’t walk nicely on a lead, it isn’t because he is stubborn, it is because you have not taught him to.

If he walks nicely on a lead in your garden, but not when there are other dogs around,  that’s because he needs to learn that separately.

It isn’t your fault if you didn’t know this.  It isn’t your fault if you don’t understand your dog and did not know where to begin

Many people are not aware that dogs cannot generalise learned responses to commands, and apply them in different circumstances.  Nor are they aware that dogs do not naturally become better behaved as they grow up.

But it is important that you recognise, that when you take on a puppy or rescue dog, you must rapidly transform yourself into a dog trainer.

Being a dog trainer

There are good things and bad things about becoming a ‘dog trainer’.

The bad things are not really bad.  Unless you really hate learning new stuff!  You will simply need to learn some skills,  and to acquire some basic knowledge.

The good things are many

Unlike some fields of expertise, musicianship for example, or athletics, you don’t need any natural ability whatsoever.   It is a complete myth that dog trainers need ‘dog sense’, ‘aptitude’, ‘leadership skills’  and any other kind of ability that some professional trainers would like to think they have a monopoly on.

You don’t

All you need is the willingness to learn and practice.

The skills you need are easily acquired by anyone over the age of about eight, simply by following the right instructions, and practicing for a few minutes each day

The process of dog training is a lot of fun,  and your dog will love your company far more when you begin training him, than he did before.  Dogs find ‘dog trainers’ interesting.

There is more,  but that is probably enough good things to be going on with.

What is next?

So, if your dog ‘won’t do that’ you need to teach him how.

Begin learning about dog training by finding out how dogs learn through the consequences of their actions.  Then start controlling those consequences using simple reinforcement techniques.

It is actually much easier than it sounds.  Follow the links to find out what to do.

Don’t wait another day.

The chances are,  you will love being your dog’s trainer.  Once you start, you won’t want to stop.

Have a question?

Head on over to the forum to discuss this article, ask questions, or get help with your dog!

Primary Sidebar

how to teach a dog to sit

How To Teach A Dog To Sit

  How to teach a dog to sit is usually one of

Impulse control for dogs

Impulse Control For Dogs

Lack of impulse control is common in small children and

Allegra for Dogs

Has your pooch been prescribed Allegra for dogs? Is this

stage two in dog training

Stage 2: Teach Your Dog English

If you want to teach your dog English, you'll love Stage 2

Happy Trained Dog

12 Great Reasons To Train Your Dog

Today we'll be taking a look at some great reasons to train

Ruffwear Cooling Vest – Jet Stream Review And Tips

Welcome to our Ruffwear Cooling Vest Review. Looking at the

over friendly dog chasing another dog

The Over Friendly Dog – How To Cope

In this article professional dog trainer Jo Laurens shares

understanding behavior chains

Behavior Chains In Dog Training

Behavior chains are important in dog training.  There are

dog treat dispenser

Dog Treat Dispenser

Searching For The Best Dog Treat Dispenser For Your Pup?

therapy dogs

Therapy Dogs

Therapy Dogs Are Amazing Animals Who Work Alongside Their

Totally Dog Training by Red Cat Media - copyright 2017 Red Cat Media Ltd. - Logo by Toby Mattinson Animation
Totally Dog Training is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk
Totally Dog Training is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
View Privacy Policy
This site uses cookies: Find out more.