My black lab puppy listens to my husband, but will not listen to me at all. Just looks at me. Why?

Answer 1

As others have said, men have deeper voices and command more authority than women (at least in a puppy's eyes).

Also, men tend to be less "soft" with pups - we women want to cuddle with puppies, we baby talk to them, and it can be hard for us to enforce rules because pups can just be so darn cute when they are mischievous. Decide what the rules of the house are and enforce them. Your pup will love you for it, so don't feel bad about making your puppy behave, even if his "crime" is innocent. You don't have to be loud and mean - just have the attitude that things will be done your way. Don't forget to reward pup when he does the right thing.

Answer 2

Your husband is the alpha male in your pack. You have to show your puppy that you are next in line, not him. Here is what you can do to prove your standing in the pack: Sit with the puppy laying belly up on you lap. This is a very vulnerable position for the pup. Keep him there for a few minutes. Even if he squirms and tries to get away, hold him on your lap belly up. Eventually he will see that you are next in line and he will respect you. Do this whenever he doesn't listen or is causing mischief that is not welcome behavior. Good Luck!

Answer 3

The puppy does not see you as an authority figure. He thinks you are a play mate. Taking the dog to a puppy class will help to socialize him and also become more focused. When you TELL him to do something listen to the tone you use. Are you telling him to do something or are you asking????

Answer 4

Same thing happens with my dog. It's because my husband doles out the punishment whenever Crunchy misbehaves, like messes on the floor and gets into the trash. I never catch him doing anything bad. But, since my husband is the enforcer, Crunchy will more readily listen to him.

Answer 5

My dog was the same way when she was a puppy, just like kids, they respond to the deep tone of a man's voice. I learned how to deepen my voice when giving her commands and believe it or not, she started listening to me better then she did him. I was more stern and I was also the one who taught her all of her tricks, I had a soft voice when it was play time and a deep voice when it was time to get serious. Hope this helps a bit, good luck.

Answer 6

Perhaps your puppies don't respect you. My cats know what they can get away with from me that they don't get away with from my husband. I'll pet them during dinner and he won't for example. As a result they don't even go up to him while they surround me. The cats also know that he'll get up and feed them on the weekend and I won't so they let me sleep and they wake him up. If you want the puppies to respect you and listen to you then you have to be consistent and identify yourself as the alpha female. Reading a book on dog behaviour may help you.

Answer 7

Some pets respond to the sound of a male voice because it tends to be deeper than a female voice. My wife's cats were the same way. She could practically scream at them with no results while I can say something with my bosso profundo voce and they actually respond.

Answer 8

The difference between male and female voice tone and men tend to speak firmer than women as well. Just a theory. Don't think its proven fact.

Answer 9

Try speaking firmer and louder like your hubby does. Copy the way he gives the command exactly.

Aside from that, do more trianing sessions with the pup (with lots of treats) so he gets used to listening to you.

Answer 10

Because the dog doesn't respect you. Better change it or you will have problems when the dog is 75 lbs and not listening.