7 Reasons Your Dog Isn’t Listening—And How to Fix It
If you’ve ever found yourself repeating “sit” five times with zero response, you’re not alone. Many dog owners across Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley struggle with a dog who seems to have selective hearing—especially when distractions pop up.
At Off Leash K9 Training Missoula, we hear this all the time:
“He listens great at home, but as soon as we’re outside—it’s like I’m invisible!”
The good news? You’re not doing anything wrong—you’re just missing a few key ingredients. Let’s break down the most common reasons dogs don’t listen and how to fix them.
1. You’re Competing With Distractions
Missoula’s filled with distractions—other dogs on the trail, kids on bikes, squirrels in the park. If your dog hasn’t practiced obedience in these settings, they’ll naturally tune you out.
Fix it:
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Start in low-distraction environments
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Gradually add challenge (e.g., your yard, a quiet park, then downtown Missoula)
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Reinforce commands with praise, food, or leash pressure
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Use tools like long lines or e-collars for consistency
We specialize in distraction-proofing obedience for real-world reliability.
2. You’ve Taught It—But Haven’t Reinforced It
Many dogs “know” a command but only follow it when they feel like it. That’s because it’s been taught, but not enforced.
Fix it:
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Say a command once, and ensure your dog follows through
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Don’t repeat yourself—be consistent
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Hold your dog accountable in every context
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Use leash or e-collar pressure to reinforce without frustration
3. Your Timing Is Off
Dogs live in the moment—if you’re praising or correcting too late, your dog may have no idea what they’re being rewarded or corrected for.
Fix it:
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Reward or correct within 1-2 seconds of the behavior
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Mark good behavior clearly with a word like “yes” or a clicker
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Practice timing drills in quiet environments first
4. You’re Inconsistent With Rules
If sometimes your dog can jump on the couch or ignore “come,” but other times they get in trouble—it’s confusing.
Fix it:
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Set clear, simple rules and stick to them
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Make sure everyone in the household is consistent
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Reward what you want, and calmly correct what you don’t
5. They’re Not Mentally or Physically Fulfilled
Bored dogs act out. If your dog is full of energy and under-stimulated, they’re less likely to respond to commands.
Fix it:
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Provide structured exercise (not just a backyard run)
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Add mental work: training drills, puzzle feeders, “place” with distractions
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Practice obedience before walks or play, not after
6. They’ve Learned to Tune You Out
If your dog thinks your voice is just background noise, they’ve likely learned that your words don’t mean much.
Fix it:
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Say a command once and follow through
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Be intentional—avoid nagging or begging
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Start fresh with shorter, more focused sessions
We help rebuild that communication in our lessons and board & train programs, even for dogs who’ve “stopped listening” altogether.
7. They Don’t Fully Understand the Command
Sometimes what looks like defiance is actually confusion. If your dog hasn’t practiced enough repetitions, especially in new environments, they may just not get it yet.
Fix it:
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Go back to basics with short, clear sessions
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Use food or leash guidance to help them succeed
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Slowly add distractions, distance, and duration
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Don’t move on until your dog is fluent in each step
Ready for a Dog Who Listens the First Time?
Whether your dog is just tuning you out or struggling with more serious obedience issues, we’ve got the tools to help. Our proven programs are designed to create clear communication, reliable commands, and stress-free training.
We train dogs across Missoula, Lolo, Florence, and the Bitterroot Valley, helping them succeed in real-world environments—not just at home.
📍 Contact us at 406-946-3037 or fill out the form below to schedule a consult and start building the kind of obedience you can count on.
