Have you ever wondered why your dog occasionally seems to forget everything you’ve been training for? We’ve all had those frustrating moments, but once you understand what’s really going on, you might see things differently.
People experience this with their dogs in many ways. For example, in practice, things have been going well, but the dog gets lost in sniffing during an obedience trial, or you’re trying to show someone a new trick that your dog has been doing all week, but instead your dog just watches you look like a fool when you request the trick.
It’s not always about what the dog doesn’t respond to. Sometimes dogs are more distracted than usual, slower, or hesitate to respond to basic cues like sit. Other times, dogs are unexpectedly energetic or too excited to focus. When your dog is having an off day, ask yourself two questions. The first question is: Is your dog OK? The second question, if the first one is a strong yes, is: Have you ever had an off day? A number of things could be going on, including problems with the training plan, but we also have to step back and remember that sometimes dogs have off days, and we don’t have to make excuses for them.
Rare Occurrence or Bigger Problem?
If every training session feels unproductive, stressful, or dull, much more than a bad day is going on. Training has to be rewarding for both you and your dog to move forward and stay on track. Training that feels like a chore or doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere needs to be evaluated. When this is the case, I typically suggest building stronger micro-skills. You have to learn how to play with your dog and correctly use rewards in training. Then you build on those skills with games that improve communication. Every team (that’s you and your dog) is unique. Sometimes a small change turns the training around, but often it’s a combination of factors.
Is It Stubbornness?
If you’re sure your dog understands something and still refuses to respond, you might wonder if your dog is just being stubborn. Dogs can seem distracted when they are confused or stressed. Maybe your dog doesn’t have enough experience with the distractions in the environment, or you’re giving conflicting information. Sometimes it’s a matter of changing our behavior. You might behave slightly differently if you’re competing, being watched, or in a training class rather than in your kitchen. Your dog isn’t responding as expected for a reason.
While there could be other reasons, in those rare moments when your dog suddenly isn’t listening, consider how consistent your behavior, discipline, and focus are. We aren’t machines, and neither are our dogs.
Is Your Dog OK?
Sometimes subtle changes show up first in training practice. If your dog consistently seems off, you have to figure out whether something else is going on. We can’t assume we know how our dogs feel at any given moment. For example, the dog could be sore in some instances. Any changes that make you wonder should be evaluated by your veterinarian.
Everything influences behavior. We can’t always know when a dog is tired, hungry, or experiencing something else we can’t see.
Should You Strive for Consistent Results?
Training can be a lot of fun, but it’s also about safety. We need dogs to respond in many different situations. Working toward reliable training results requires practice, creativity, and adding in distractions at the right times. This is the part a trainer can help you with.
This is one of those confusing moments when two things can be true. You can aim for 100 percent reliability. You can have enough confidence in your dog to expect it, but at the same time, remind yourself that you’re working with a living animal. We wouldn’t expect ourselves to feel and behave the same way every day. We shouldn’t expect our dogs to either. A positive approach that considers the animal’s needs means that when those less-than-ideal training sessions occur, we adjust in the moment to what is best for the animal. It also means that you are just as kind to yourself. You don’t have to get everything right with your dog all the time, either.
