Why saying NO to your dog is really, really unhelpful

Imagine the scene - you are struggling with your dog's behaviour and they are doing something you don't want them to, so you say 'no' and after a while, it doesn't work so you say it louder, maybe more quietly and finally someone tells you to say it in your best assertive voice.... like you had never thought of that before!! Arrrggghh so frustrating. 

I hear you. 

I promise you the problem does not lie in the words you use, the volume of your voice or how assertive or otherwise you might say it. 

Your dog can hear you perfectly well and knows exactly what you mean. They are choosing to ignore you........ 

The reason they are choosing to ignore you is because in their head they believe that they get to make the decisions in your relationship.

I am 100% sure this has happened completely innocently because you have been communicating with your dog in "human" language and not in "dog" language. 

Speaking dog language is way more simple than you might think and the first step is to stop giving them attention for something you don't want them to do. 

The solution to this and nearly every other non-veterinary dog behaviour problem is to learn "Dog Listening". It's a very simple approach that's kind and gentle to both you and your dog. 

In the meantime, however, here is a quick tip you could try today.  Completely ignore the behaviour you don't want (always less to do than you think!) and they will very quickly give up as they are not getting a result from you. If it is something you can't ignore, try this;

📌 ask them to "come"  to you
📌 use their name
📌 make eye contact and call them over to you
📌 then reward them

‼️ Note you are rewarding the action to come, not whatever they were doing ‼️

Bonus points for recall practice right there!

If this resonates with you, you are going to love THE PRACTICE OF DOG LISTENING.   
 

If you have never heard of Dog Listening and you want to find out more. Access my free dog workbook here and start to implement the first ritual. 

An introduction to Dog Listening. 

If you are already familiar with Dog Listening, but have a dog who is super smart and you are feeling frustrated and anxious and want to become an expert Dog Listener quickly....

Let me help you get your dog's behaviour "sorted, asap" come and join my course and community Peaceful Paws  (Transform your dog's behaviour in 6 weeks)

We kick off with a 1 x1 hour 1 2 1 call where I can point you exactly where to start and what to focus on for your personal situation to get the the best results.  

 Peaceful paws always 

Julie x