They aren't ignoring you—they're just guessing. Stop the 'muddy' talk and start being heard.
In a busy Bunnings car park, your voice gets lost. Dogs watch your hands first. This is 'overshadowing'—use distinct gestures to cut through the noise.
'Sit' and 'Stay' sound identical to a distracted dog. To 'clean up' your linguistics, swap 'Stay' for 'Wait' to give them a unique acoustic profile.
Does 'Down' mean get off the couch or lie on the floor? Use 'Off' for furniture and 'Drop' for the physical behaviour. Clarity prevents hesitation.
If you only call them to leave the beach or have a bath, 'Come' becomes a predictor of bad news. You've poisoned the cue.
Broken command? Swap 'Come' for 'Here.' Pair it with high-value roast chicken from the local deli. Start fresh with zero baggage.
Can your dog 'Sit' while you're lying on the floor or wearing thongs? If not, they haven't learned the word, only the routine.
Ditch the tiny finger flicks. Use signals with a clear silhouette that your dog can see from 20 metres across a cricket pitch.
Great in the lounge, but a mess at the park? That’s a generalisation gap. Add distractions slowly—start with one passing lorikeet at a time.
If you say 'Drop' but your partner says 'Down,' the architecture collapses. Every family member must use the exact same cues.
Association takes 20 goes. Mastery takes hundreds. Keep it fun, keep it short, and always end your session on a big win.
Training isn't about control; it's about building a crisp, clear dialogue. When the signals are sharp and distinct, the response is instant.
Get the exact cue list and the 'Tea Party' checklist to proof your dog's skills today.