“Why Won’t My Dog Listen?!” — Understanding and Fixing Selective Hearing in Dogs
- lewis | Dogs Galore
- May 8
- 2 min read
You call your dog in your best, chirpiest voice. They glance back at you… and sprint off in the opposite direction like they’ve got better plans and you’re not on the guest list.
Frustrating? Absolutely.
Embarrassing? Sometimes.
Personal? Not at all.
Here’s the truth:
Dogs don’t ignore us to be cheeky or stubborn — they’re just following what’s most rewarding in the moment. Selective hearing in dogs isn’t an attitude problem. It’s a training problem. And luckily, that’s fixable.
Let’s unpack why it happens, how to improve it, and how to turn “I said COME HERE” into “Wow, that recall was flawless!”
🧠 Why Dogs Don’t Always Listen
1. The Environment Is Too Exciting
Distractions like squirrels, smells, and other dogs can easily outrank you — unless you’ve trained to compete with them.
2. They’ve Never Really Learned It
Just because your dog can “sit” in the kitchen doesn’t mean they’ll do it at the park. Dogs need help learning that cues apply everywhere, not just in one familiar setting.
3. Your Cues Are Inconsistent
If “come here” sometimes means treats and other times means the fun is over, your dog might weigh their options — and opt out.
🛠️ How to Build a Dog That Listens
🍗 1. Be Worth Listening To
Use high-value rewards. Real chicken, cheese, or favourite toys are far more convincing than kibble when the park is full of excitement.
🎓 2. Train in Easy Environments First
Start indoors, move to the garden, then quiet streets, and finally the park. Dogs learn best in small, manageable steps.
🎯 3. Use Clear, Consistent Cues
Stick to one word for each behaviour. “Come” means come — not “maybe think about it.”
🐕🦺 Fun Games to Build Better Recall
🦴 Name Game
Say your dog’s name in a happy voice. When they look at you, reward them. This builds attention and responsiveness.
🏃 Recall and Release
Call your dog mid-walk, reward heavily, then let them go back to exploring. This teaches them that recall doesn’t always end the fun.
🙈 Hide and Seek
Hide and call your dog. Celebrate big when they find you. This turns recall into a fun, rewarding challenge.
⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid
Calling too often: Repeating cues when your dog ignores you only teaches them to ignore more.
Telling them off for coming back late: Always reward the return, even if it took them a minute.
Skipping steps: Just because your dog can come when called in the garden doesn’t mean they’re ready for a festival-level park.
✅ Quick Recap
Make yourself more rewarding than distractions
Train in stages — don’t skip levels
Reinforce heavily and consistently
Don’t punish recall — even slow ones
Be patient (yes, really patient)
🐾 Final Thoughts from a Behaviourist
Your dog isn’t being difficult — they just don’t know what you think they know, especially in the real world. With clear training, rewards that matter, and a little humour along the way, you can absolutely build a reliable listener.
Need a hand? I offer expert training and behaviour support across Eltham, Sidcup, Blackheath and surrounding areas. Whether your dog’s recall has vanished or you’re struggling with distractions, I can help bring the focus back.
📞 07535678477
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