What to do?

Question

What can i do? My dog will not listen, to anyone. If I say sit, he will just stare at you. If I say lie down, he will just stare at me? If I out (out of my room) he will just stare at me? But if I tell him to kennel he will go, if I say outside or hungry, he will respond. He is a big dog (120 lbs), and he is a great dane/black lab 6 years old. I know he can hear me but he chooses not to. I know my parents never paid attention to him when he was living with them, could that have an effect on him? I need to do something, this is really driving me nuts that he wont listen to me.

Answer 1

There are three reasons why a dog doesn't obey a command:
1. Dog is confused
2. Dog is afraid
3. Dog thinks he has a choice

My guess is that due to your parents' neglect your dog suffers from a combination of #1 and #3.

You and your dog need to take an obedience training course. You'll learn at least as much as the dog.

Answer 2

Here's a great time saving tip : dogs do not speak English. By chanting "Down....down....DOWN!!!" at him, you are simply teaching him that "Down" means nothing. There are a few things you can do to change this :
1. Stop talking to your dog when you want to teach him. Instead, get a big handful of great treats when you know that he's hungry. Wait for him to offer the "Down" behavior - preferably on his own - don't wave treats in front of his face to get him to do it. When he downs, reward him and have a big party - and then end the session.
Dogs always learn faster with shorter sessions. Trying to push a dog to do more often ends up demotivating the dog.
Repeat this exercise whenever you can, and give him breaks in between. Use his breakfast and dinner as payment for the "down" - and when he's performing the behavior quickly and reliably, then you can start to call it something. I would recommend finding another word for it, as it seems from your description that "Down" for your dog means, "Stare at the Mama!"

edit : *yay Dogwise!!!*

Answer 3

Go back to the basics. Train your dog as if he never learned those commands and make sure that you does it every time when you say the word. It could be just that you are more relaxed about him obeying you and he knows it. Train with a treat and repeat it every day. For example, for sit, show him your treat, and tell him to sit. If he doesn;t do it, move your hand with the treat a little above his head, this will make him sit naturally, and say sit again and praise and give him the treat. Repeat A LOT. He'll be listening to you again in no time!

Answer 4

You need to start using positive reinforcement. Chances are (as a lab) he's most responsive to food. Use food to get him to do what you want. If he sits when you command him, give him a treat. If he doesn't, turn your back on him. Since he is older, it will take more time to train him than it would a puppy. But in the end, it will be more rewarding for both of you.

Answer 5

Train him. Try this book: Family Friendly Dog Training: A Six Week Program for you and Your Dog, by Dr. Patricia McConnell. It is well written and easy to read.

You can get it on line at www.dogwise.com

Answer 6

Well, how long have you been working with him? For adult dogs, it takes several weeks to several months to properly train them. If you can't through to him, prehaps professional training is your next step.

My Westie does that... she just stares at me like I'm stupid or something... but it's not an issue, so I don't persue it...

Answer 7

Dogs need a leader of the pack. if you say it enforce it. Other wise he will be leader and ignore you. Try reading up on dog training books. It will teach you how to the be alfa.

Answer 8

yes i could have what you and your dog need to do is to find a dog obedience class in your area . he has learned that he does not have to listen to some things.

Answer 9

I would enroll him in a training class, because it sounds like he just needs to learn to mind and needs to learn basic obedience.

Answer 10

try restraining him