When you’re out you need to be able to trust that your dog will obey you
A dog trainer is urging dog owners to watch out for a warning sign with their pets. If they ignore you when you ask them to stop climbing or chewing things, it could be a problem – and not just for your furniture.
Dog trainer Alejandro Mengual said a dog not listening to its owner could pose much bigger issues. For example, if you’re out for a walk, you might not trust that your pet will obey you if they encounter something dangerous or get into a scrap with another dog.
To help ensure your dog’s safety, the dog trainer has suggested some steps to follow if “your dog plays deaf”. He said your “dog can hear you, but simply doesn’t feel like coming.”
He suggests you should call them in a specific way. And his first tip is to call your dog “in an effusive and motivating way, with a positive attitude.”
Mengual explained that he makes his own dog’s name longer to grab their attention. For example: “Nanoooo! Very good, my boy! Very good, my boy!”
Another suggestion is to walk backwards while calling his name, reports Wales Online. “As soon as he looks at you, call him and start walking backwards. By doing this, you’re tapping into his natural instinct to follow you”, he explained.
He said: “Once he comes to you, praise him warmly. Say “Very good! and give him lots of treats continuously for about 10 to 15 seconds.
“Above all, remember to start gradually, in a neutral environment where there are no distractions. This will help ensure success,” he concludes. In his TikTok video under the handle @coralkan, he shared that this advice “works wonders for me” and encouraged others to give it a go.
By adopting this approach, “this way, you’ll be reinforcing the behaviour strongly.” He wrapped up his guidance by concluding: “Above all, remember to start gradually, in a neutral environment without distractions. This will help ensure success.”
