If dogs do not respond to their master, this may indicate errors in training or an incorrect feedback system. However, under certain circumstances it can also be a sign of existing pain, hearing loss, a lack of trust or even dementia.
As a rule, there is only cause for concern if the dog does not listen to you at home or suddenly ignores you.
Below you will learn about the 20 most common causes and what helps against them.
Are you worried or unsure? Then click here to start a live chat with a veterinarian.
#1 One-sided reward
Most dog owners instinctively know that treats can be used to get dogs to obey. But that's only one side of the coin:
- Positive feedback methods: Rewarded behavior is repeated
- Negative feedback methods: Punished behavior is avoided
So if your dog doesn't respond to you, you can prevent this with both positive and negative feedback. However, violence is not a solution.
Rather, negative feedback means that you ignore your four-legged friend, spray it with water or turn your back on it. [1]
#2 Low Rank
Just like their ancestors, dogs instinctively always form a hierarchy in their pack – i.e. their family. At the top is the Alfa. Then come the Betas, Deltas and Omegas.
Normally the master is the Alpha and all other family members and friends are classified as Betas, Deltas and Omegas.
The problem? If your dog puts you lower than himself, he won't listen to you. This is where you have to prove your dominance.
#3 No reward
I often hear health-conscious dog owners in particular complain: “My dog doesn’t respond to me”. In most cases, however, it is because of their treats.
Because no matter how tasty you may find raw food and fruit, for most dogs this is not a real reward. Many even eat it just for the sake of their master.
Therefore, make sure that your reward is actually perceived as a “reward” and serves as motivation. Since tastes are different, it's best to try things out.
If you do a food check like this, you will even receive a complete box of free treats. At no cost and in less than 2 minutes.
#4 Unintentional training error
Unintentional training errors often occur, especially during puppyhood, because any behavior of the four-legged friend is classified as “cute”.
The problem? If your dog ignores you and you still reward him with attention or affection, he will continue that behavior.
Instead, even with the cutest puppy, stick with the feedback system from the start. This means: good behavior is rewarded – and vice versa.
#5 Trust abused
When I was a child, I often lured my Labrador with a dog brush, treats, or a leash, only to lock him out of a certain room.
Or to put it another way: I regularly abused his trust. So what happened? Over time he just stopped responding to me.
I could do whatever I wanted, but he only followed my parents. This effect has also already been proven in studies. [2]
So is it possible that you have already baited your dog in the past? Dogs remember this. Especially if it happens regularly.
#6 Too late feedback
One of the biggest differences from humans is the fact that dogs live primarily in the here and now. People live predominantly in the past and the future.
For this reason, you should always give your four-legged friend immediate feedback. If you wait too long, he will associate his current behavior with the feedback.
It's different with people. You can also give feedback for behavior two weeks ago. Dogs, on the other hand, need this immediately. Otherwise they will not obey.
This website is for sale.
#7 Violent parenting
Physical or verbal violence may lead to short-term success in parenting, but the long-term consequences make up for it.
Especially with strong or regular violence. Because this means that dogs prefer not to do anything out of fear because they are afraid of doing something wrong.
You can usually tell when the dog tucks in his tail when given commands, adopts a hunched posture and no longer responds to you. [3]
#8 Lack of consistency
Dogs have many similarities with small children. Because they also like to test their limits. This is why consistency is key in parenting.
The problem? Most dog owners lose patience after the second or third command and then refrain from responding.
Some even switch to a different command if the dog doesn't follow. This is where you can be stubborn. So repeat a command until he finally gives in.
#9 Sensory overload
For young puppies, almost everything is new and exciting. This is because their brains are almost constantly occupied with new stimuli. Completely normal at that age.
But the same thing can also happen when fully grown. It's no wonder that owners at the dog park complain: «My dog doesn't respond to me.»
Therefore: First train your dog in an environment where there are hardly any distractions. Once he obeys there, you can gradually add more distractions.
The emphasis here is on step-by-step. Otherwise your dog will be overwhelmed by all the stimuli and frustration is almost inevitable. [4]
#10 Auditory signals only
If your dog doesn't listen to your commands or even ignores you, then I recommend using your body language in addition to every command.
- Seat = index finger up
- Space = Flat hand horizontal to the floor
- Stay = flat hand facing the dog
And so forth. With a little training, your four-legged friend will automatically look at you and wait for the next command. This is especially true for working breeds.
#11 Poor vision or hearing
According to studies, around one in ten dogs is said to be deaf from birth. Most only one-sided, but many also bilateral. The following breeds are most commonly affected here.
BreedRisk of deafnessLouisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog39%Dalmatian28%Dogo Argentino27%Australian Cattle Dog15%English Setter12%Bul Terrier11%Boston Terrier9%[5]
In addition to hearing problems, poor eyesight can also cause your dog to not respond to you. If you suspect this, you should visit the vet.
#12 No close relationship
Dogs will only perceive you as an authority if you are an integral part of their lives. However, this is often neglected by working people.
Particularly when longer stays abroad are part of everyday working life. Here the bond with your dog is simply not strong enough, so he ignores you.
The solution? Consciously make your dog a priority. Maybe there is a way to take him to work? Here you can get creative. [6]
#13 Irregular pronunciation
Dogs don't understand words. Instead, they remember the intonation and your posture as you give a command. The problem?
If you constantly use new words for the same command and emphasize them differently, then your dog won't know how to react to it.
So make sure that you always use the same command and say it consistently. It is not for nothing that short, concise words have proven useful:
- Seat!
- Place!
- Stay!
- No!
And no: “Now sit down. Come on, sit now, Bello. Why don't you follow? Please sit down. Tell me, do you have trouble hearing? Sit on your bottom!”
#14 Pain
If your dog has always obeyed and now suddenly stops following, this could indicate existing pain or illness.
In general, you can remember that sudden changes in behavior are a kind of early warning system. Tooth and stomach pains are particularly common here.
Since dogs instinctively want to hide pain, I recommend visiting the vet as a preventive measure. Your four-legged friend will thank you – even if silently. [7]
#15 Disappointed
After castration, behavior changes not only for hormonal reasons, but also because of the abuse of trust.
Many dogs cannot believe that their owner has actually agreed to have part of their genitals surgically removed.
No wonder you often read: “Help, my dog no longer responds to me” in forums about castration. The aim here is to gradually rebuild trust.
#16 Better perception
Dogs' sensory organs are many times superior to ours. Here are the facts:
- Dogs smell up to 100,000 times better than humans. [8]
- Compared to humans, dogs can hear ultrasonic sounds themselves. [9]
- Dogs see around five times brighter in the dark than humans. [10]
So if your dog doesn't obey outside, it could be because he picked up something in the distance. Even if you don't notice anything yourself.
#17 False expectations
Unfortunately, dogs are not born with a manual on human manners. For this reason, it is important for every dog owner to take action themselves.
However, it becomes a problem when owners only bought their dog to cuddle with. These types of owners also often have high expectations.
And then they are surprised that the dog doesn't react. The solution? Consistent training. Here I can recommend Johanna Esser’s online dog school.
Not only are all the basics explained wonderfully there, but there is even a special module about how you can become an alpha and always have your dog under control.
#18 Dementia
According to studies, around one in three dogs over the age of 11 suffers from dementia. This leads to an increasing decline in mental performance and memory. [11]
So if your dog is older and suddenly no longer obeys, then this could be due to dementia. Other typical symptoms of this are:
- Disorientation
- Sudden night activity
- Dog behaves repeatedly
- Social distancing
Unfortunately there is no cure for this. Rather, it is important to adapt the environment and everyday life to suit the illness. The vet can help with this.
#19 Excess energy
Active breeds in particular, such as sheepdogs and hunting dogs, need a lot of physical and mental activity. The problem?
If they cannot get rid of their energy every day, then they tend to become hyperactive. And in this state even the most obedient reacts…