Ever have one of those dogs that you would swear is almost human even though you know better? I'm currently dealing with the "I cant hear you syndrom", if I give Jake a command he dosent want to obey he'll turn his head so he cant see me as if to say...I cant see you so I cant hear you. Its all I can do to keep from laughing sometimes when he does this. Of course this also means that I have to stop whatever I'm doing at the time and walk over to him and enforce the command that was just given. But the look on his face when he pulls this is priceless. You can just see the gears turning in that brain of his, and tell that by his way of thinking if he cant see me then he cant hear me and dosent have to obey me.

ROFLMAO........Im sorry, I only laugh because I am in the same boat as you at the moment, and you are not the only one that could swear that body language and expressions could be pasted onto a teen two leg.

I suppose at least it is good practice for when little miss 8 turns to little miss 14.

Just as the saying goes:

"Out of site, Out of mind"

Good luck with that!

[Yogi]

ditto here, with 18 I find myself double talking all the time. It goes without saying especially in Miniature Pinschers. They deliberately will ignore the first command and wait til they hear it a second time before even acknowledging than will look in your direction with that...what, are you talking to me...expression

LOL!!That's funny. One of mine watches to see if the other one is going to obey or ignore and then he will follow suit.

This is funny. Dogs does that most of the time. Lol. Domestic dogs (who still retain their original pack instincts) are not designed to receive commands. Which explains why dogs disobey. Quite simply, they do not understand us, and commanding a dog works from the false premise that our dog understands us and is being very bad by deliberately disobeying us - and must therefore be subordinated. Dogs do, however, have the capacity to learn words, and even sentences, provided they are not directed emotionally (i.e. combined with anger) at the dog. This causes dogs to perceive them as a challenge, and instead of hearing words, their instincts compel them to rise to the challenge, which we mere humans interpret as disobedience. Dogs are not stupid. They are also not disobedient. They are confused. So if we are supposed to be the more intelligent of the two species - cano-sapeins and homo-not-so-sapiens - it therefore makes total sense to cross the communication crevasse ourselves, and communicate with dogs on their level. Goodluck!

[wishbone]

Seemed funny but sometimes good recall is important to teach to the dogs, specially in emergency situations. Start giving treats whenever you call him and he came...

[lil mutt]

this also happens to me... Lately my dog doesnt want to come near me when i call her name...

I don't know what's worse. When they turn their head and pretend they didn't hear you, or when they look you in the eye with the "What? I'm afraid I don't understand English." expression on their face.

LOL I just had to laugh at the responses. After having had dogs most my life and raising 2 children, I should be used to it. And yes I do use treats and nothing but positive reinforcement with the "brat". Seeing as how he is a large breed let alone a sighthound and my fences are only 4 ft high recall is the most important command to me and the one we work on the most. If we're outside I use a long 20ft training lead and a toy. I'll toss the toy for him and let him play for a min or two then call him back to me and reward him with a small treat. In the house I just usually call him to me at random times and reward him if he comes. I use the random calling in the house only because he has proven to me that he does know what the command means at this point, otherwise I wouldnt allow him into a situation where he couldnt come if called. If he ignores me, I'll go get him, bring him back to where I was and reward him then. Once I know he'll come when I call regardless of the cat across the street then I'll start working off lead outside as well.

I don't know what's worse. When they turn their head and pretend they didn't hear you, or when they look you in the eye with the "What? I'm afraid I don't understand English." expression on their face.

Oh yes, gotta love that look as well.

Originally Posted by youbetcha1018

This is funny. Dogs does that most of the time. Lol. Domestic dogs (who still retain their original pack instincts) are not designed to receive commands. Which explains why dogs disobey. Quite simply, they do not understand us, and commanding a dog works from the false premise that our dog understands us and is being very bad by deliberately disobeying us - and must therefore be subordinated. Dogs do, however, have the capacity to learn words, and even sentences, provided they are not directed emotionally (i.e. combined with anger) at the dog. This causes dogs to perceive them as a challenge, and instead of hearing words, their instincts compel them to rise to the challenge, which we mere humans interpret as disobedience. Dogs are not stupid. They are also not disobedient. They are confused. So if we are supposed to be the more intelligent of the two species - cano-sapeins and homo-not-so-sapiens - it therefore makes total sense to cross the communication crevasse ourselves, and communicate with dogs on their level. Goodluck!

Are you aware that domestic dogs have an ability that even the higher primates do not possess? They are capable, without prior training, of correctly interpreting our body language.

If you point at an object, a monkey or chimpanzee won't investigate it, or even look at it. A wolf won't understand, either. But a dog will.

And I don't think dogs disobey because they're confused, either. I know my dogs understand perfectly many of the things I ask them to do, because they usually do them. But once in a while I get "What? I don't speak English" or "I can't hear you." And I'm pretty sure I've gotten "You want someone to sit? YOU sit!" and "I am sitting. Prove I'm not" and "I don't have to." once in a while, too.

Originally Posted by youbetcha1018

This is funny. Dogs does that most of the time. Lol. Domestic dogs (who still retain their original pack instincts) are not designed to receive commands. Which explains why dogs disobey. Quite simply, they do not understand us, and commanding a dog works from the false premise that our dog understands us and is being very bad by deliberately disobeying us - and must therefore be subordinated.

I have to disagree with you on this point. Dogs are as you say "designed" to receive commands. Which is why there is a pack order. Yes it may take a lil time for them to learn what we mean because not everyone can "speak dog", but unless you are dealing with a total alpha dog its in their instinct to accept commands. Repetition and positive reinforcement can do wonders in teaching a dog what you wish them to learn. Even an alpha dog can and will over time, it just may take a bit more stubborness on your part is all.

When ever I give my dog a command, like sit, he gives me a look that says "huh? me?"
So then I have to walk over and after a minute he will finally sit but the whloe time he goes ever so slowly and I just know he is thinking "hmm should I?well...I dont really wanna...yeah, ok I guess I might...maybe...eh okayokay fine..."
Lol!