Are some dogs just not meant to learn?

Question

I love my dog more than anything, but she just doesn't want to learn certain things. She knows some things, like "paw" and not to eat until I tell her to, but when it comes to like "sit" or "lay" she just won't learn.

Am I teaching her wrong, or are some dogs just not meant to be smart?

Answer 1

All dogs are smart, just in different ways. Why does it make a dog smarter if they do exactly what we say when we say it? If you think about it, the dogs who DON'T do what we say are really smarter, aren't they?

Your dog will do anything that you really motivate her to do. That means you have to figure out what motivates her. I'm not talking about fear, I'm talking about something she really enjoys. Does she like food? Do what she likes. If she isn't doing it, she doesn't enjoy it. It is your job to make sure she enjoys it, or find something else to do together. =)

Answer 2

No it just sometimes takes a few dogs longer to learn. It could be something happened during birth. also the dog may have been abused along the way. Don't give up on her/him, they are your best friend. You must be consistent in your training. As soon as he/she has made a mistake in the house, say No real stern like and take the dog outside and chain him/her up for 5 minutes. Do this every time and the dog will learn what you want. Praise the dog when he goes out side so he/she understands. Give a treat also every time. Firm words with no hitting what so ever will help train your dog. Again be consistent.

Answer 3

All dogs can learn, but some breeds need more motivation than others. Some dogs think in terms of "What's in it for me?"

All dogs know how to sit and lie down naturally. They do it all the time whether you tell them to or not. So, the trick is to, for example, say "sit" when you see your dog starting to sit of her own accord. Then reward her. Eventually she'll understand what you want and will do it because she knows she'll get a treat. After a while you'll only need to say, "Good girl," to reward her.

Answer 4

I always started when they were little .Dont know if you can teach an older dog to sit ask a trainer .you can call them on the phone and ask them about the breed and age .But what i do is say sit while Im holding the food and let them see it and give them a piece after i push on there butt until it sits and i give it the treat.then you just keep doing that until they get it .Table scraps they love,bologna thell do it for that!To get the dog to lay you have to squat down and have them follow the food down towards the ground that way they have to lay to reach it .Always pet and use happy tones and rewards dont give them a treat unless they try.Try later if you get aggravated.

Answer 5

It takes a lot of repetition and patience to teach a dog. Maybe if you dedicate 30 minutes a day without any distractions, and do only one trick at a time until she gets it; no switching to different things as the dog will get confused.

Answer 6

Some dogs are simply stubborn- you may not be offering her a good enough reason to do what you ask. Try taking her to a training class and see if the trainers can give you some tips. Many of the terrier and bull breeds are just free-spirited and prefer not to listen most of the time.

Answer 7

Dogs do have different levels of intelligence. Those who can learn in under 10 repetitions are highly intelligent...such as a poodle, lab, rottweiler, german shepherd. There is also a dumbbell side of that scale where a dog may need up to 100+ repetitions to learn something. That's where you'd find my present dogs...mastiffs....at the dummy end of the scale...but that's ok...they got it eventually.

Answer 8

Some dogs, unfortunately, like people are dumber than others. It does however take a certain technique to train them. Most can learn basic commands. Get a book on training your dog, for starters....Good Luck !

Answer 9

Well I have three dogs and they all were taught at the same times. But only two of them learned.

Answer 10

No.. all dogs will learn but if you start when they are too old, it is more difficult.. but even at an older age, they will learn.. that is.. they CAN learn but you have to really have patience

Answer 11

You have to be consistant, but a trainer , I think , is a great investment, esp. for a dog who isn't listening. If you spend $100 on training, it'll be the best money you ever spent....esp if your dog starts chewing stuff.....now thats pricey to replace!!